So, I was blissfully working away on my muslin for the background dress, when a fashion disaster struck. The weather was getting warm and I somehow had no cute spring jacket! It was a travesty, people. I called an emergency halt on the background dress, pulled McCall's 5525 out of my pattern stash, and stocked up on some navy cotton pique, stat! I'm happy to report that my condition is now stable.I liked the 60s vibe of this pattern, so I attempted a bouffant hairdo for you.
I lined the jacket in white and navy polka dot lining fabric. (I can't remember if it's acetate or poly.)
Here's the back:
And hey! Remember this skirt?
I started with a size 16, made a muslin, and ended up taking it in a bit at the princess seams. I also narrowed the shoulders. I wanted a "shrunken" look, but I got a little carried away. I need to go to Overfitters Anonymous or something.
I did some light tailoring, which included a back stay:
Muslin interfacing on the jacket front and around the armhole:
And padstitching on the undercollar:
Guys, I love padstitching. It makes SUCH a difference in shaping a collar!The only design change I made was to shorten the sleeves to three-quarter length, which just felt springier to me.
The verdict? I liked this pattern quite a bit, and it also comes with some classic trench variations. Highly recommended - and a fashion emergency solved! Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief and return to our regularly scheduled sewing . . .
This is so adorable! I love a trench in Navy. I think I will be learning much from you. Today I have to cut out my March Challenge Dress ( a dress a month!) and I get to try out my new duct tape dress form. We shall see how it works out. That little armless/headless version of me has been egging me on all week!
ReplyDeleteI love it! It looks great. Overfitters anonymous huh? I might tag along. You really inspire me to sew. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow cute! It looks lovely on you.
ReplyDeleteGreat job :)
It looks great on you, the navy really suits your colouring and that lipstick. It doesn't look like you went too far with the fitting to me.
ReplyDeleteThis is seriously cute. And I love your shoes!
ReplyDeleteYou are just too quick for this world... Didn't you just show us this pattern? I'm deeply impressed. Nice of you to post some of the interfacing and light tailoring on your way to the finished garment. It is truly adorable, and suits you like a cherry on the top of a cupcake. And always the nice linings... I need to find a good lining supplier!
ReplyDeletewhen i was in high school my friends mom was a teacher at our local fashion school. she picked us up after school wearing some amazing, coat. my friend asked her if it was new, and she told him that she ad a date that night, and she didn't have a coat to match her outfit. so she whipped one up really fast. i was so amazed.
ReplyDeletethank you. you just brought back a few memories. :)
you did a fantastic job. i love it.
Very cute! I love this pattern. I made a classic style short trench a couple of years ago. It's one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteThe jacket is GREAT! I love it! and it looks fantastic with the skirt!
ReplyDeleteI love the classic silhouette, and you look great in navy!
ReplyDeleteAnother great - and fast! - make. Am intrigued by pad stitching now. You need some gorgeous leather gloves to go with those three quarter length sleeves!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite envious. Both at your new jacket and that it's warm enough for three-quarter length sleeves where you live. Great job with the jacket!
ReplyDeletewow you did an excellent job on that jacket! I might have to copy if I ever get my sewing mojo back. Thanks for the tips on internal construction.
ReplyDeleteCute spring trench! And I love the polka dot lining!
ReplyDeleteso so cute!
ReplyDeletelove the shorter sleeves
I love this jacket! I have this pattern in my stash, and I've been really wanting to make it. Your version looks great! Love the whole look, too, including the shoes.
ReplyDeleteLove the jacket. If it's overfitted (is that a word?) I can't tell. You look wonderful in it. I enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteYour coat looks adorable (so do you). I love the collar, and the polka dotted lining is just such a nice detail. So well and quickly done!
ReplyDeleteMarvelous! Love those short sleeves. And the belt. And the fab collar. OK, I love it all.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks for showing some of the intermediate steps. I've never tried padstitching, don't even know how but will look it up now that you've mentioned it. I'm wondering if this pattern would work well with raincoat material. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed - I would need at least a year to "whip out" something like that. Are those Black Apple prints behind you?
ReplyDeleteHi Gertie,
ReplyDeleteThis spring coat looks extremely cute and amazing! Love your blog.
Cheers!
Brenda from Singapore
It looks great! I think it is all the better for shortening the sleeves to a 3/4 length. Thanks for showing us the tailoring you did.
ReplyDeleteSO cute! Doesn't it make you extra happy knowing your jacket has cute lining, even though no one else can see it? Or, umm, is that just me?
ReplyDeleteThe tailoring is so exciting. Thanks for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteThis looks super cute! I love how all your items always look amazingly professional! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely, and fab lining as usual. It's funny because whenever you show us RTW clothes (Anthropogie or some such), I always end up thinking 'But you make clothes far more interesting/stylish/personal than that!'. And here is proof again, were it needed.
ReplyDeleteAhhh! I love it and the hair too! Simply gorgeous and absolutely perfect for Spring. Love padstitching too! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJust lovely! You look great in it!
ReplyDeleteI adore your fabric choices - the lining is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the construction pics. Those are so helpful to me.
what a nice job you did! very finished and professional. It is this attention to detail that keeps me from enjoying sewing, but makes me appreciate your blog all the more
ReplyDeletemelina bee
Truly charming. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI love your trench. You look so amazing. I think this is the best I've seen you. That is my favorite hairstyle by far.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Navy is fast becoming my new go to neutral. Breaking up with my all black wardrobe has been hard but navy is getting me through. This little coat is so cute, I've put it on my pattern wish list!
ReplyDeleteOhh!! I bought that pattern last month!! It looks great!! I'm gonna sew that for me I just didn't know what kind of fabric to use.
ReplyDeleteJust have to chime in. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this coat! It's so beautifully made and the color looks great on you. I just bought the pattern and I will file it away in my "to do" list.
ReplyDeleteI love this coat! It's so beautifully made and the color looks great on you. I just bought the pattern and I will file it away in my "to do" list.
ReplyDeleteSo cute I can hardly stand it! I love your hair like that...
ReplyDelete:)
How fantastic. Love it. Want it.
ReplyDeleteYour new jacket is simply darlin'!
ReplyDeleteDid you pre-wash the fabrics? Do you pre-wash in general?
I love it! I have this in my stash too, and you're inspiring me to move it up on the to do list. Your fabric choice is great and your fit looks fabulous to me. What a nice interruption to our regular programming!
ReplyDeletesuper cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous! I want a spring coat that looks just like that! I've had that pattern and fabric picked out for two years now... I just need to get over my fear of jackets and make it. :) Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love this pattern i jst made up the longer version for our Autumn here in australia! The shorter sleeves look great!
ReplyDelete:-) Ruby Slippers
rubyslippersvintage.blogspot.com
Gorgeous! Yet I'm so disgusted with you for just whipping it up. OK, not disgusted...green with envy. Can I steal some of your speed and focus? Find a way to bottle and sell it and I'll buy it!
ReplyDeleteWow it looks really good :) Excellent problem solving skills!
ReplyDeleteLottie x
This is fabulous! I've had this pattern in my stash for a while along with some navy fabric to make it. Yours turned out so well, you've inspired me to finally make mine!
ReplyDeleteReason number 38974832 I need to get better at sewing = THIS
ReplyDeletewow!!!! that is amazing! one day when i get the hang of sewing I will try something cute like that! I'm envisioning something in green or yellow! thanks for inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful coat. The polka dot lining is a great accent. It reminds me of one of the Colette Pattern coats.
ReplyDeleteUtterly fantastic remedy to your Fashion Emergency! ;) I love all the tailoring details you made on this; I have yet to try my hand at padstitching, but it is high on my list of Things to Try in Sewing (Soon). ;) Plus, the polka dot lining is fabulous--definitely a great touch!
ReplyDelete♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
I love the coat! I'm not usually a navy coat kinda girl (despite owning one) but this is so chic and sharp. It reminds me a bit of my favorite coat ever, which I wore ragged for four years and had to toss a couple of years ago, sigh...
ReplyDelete