Gotta love when you start something a year ago and finally finish it almost exactly a year later. Such is life I suppose. Since beginning my “career” as a reenactor/living historian, I’ve had one plain blue jacket. It’s nice; it doesn’t show the dirt. Before I fully jumped into sewing, I purchased one because I thought making a jacket would be “too difficult.” I guess you could say I took my time with this one, though it feels more like some little bumps in the road to smooth sewing set me back. But there is no greater feeling than putting in that last stitch and slinging the garment on your dress form to take photos!!! Yay!!
Here it is!!
My main role at most events is a middling class impression. Therefore, all of my garments are wool or linen. (I’m easing out the cotton “for now” ones I made when I started the hobby). For now I’m leaving this jacket untrimmed. But I can see adding some embellishments in the future. I used the JP Ryan Jacket pattern view D and ended up adding an insert to each side because even though I’m narrow/slender, whatever size I cut for myself somehow did not fit me. I added about an inch on each side of the front opening to give it some overlap. It pins with straight pins down the front. Originally view D was supposed to have a stomacher and lace up the front. But that just seemed like too much work. Ha. It’s entirely hand sewn with linen for the fashion fabric and lining purchased from WM Booth Draper.
I loved the pointed tails on view D. I also love working with stripes and getting the lines to match up in the center back!
Here is a view of the side bit that was added. At least it looks nice with the stripes.
It’s fully lined. Also evident in this pic: me too lazy to even put my stays on the dress form.
I’m also really proud of myself because last year a friend told me about this neat way to line sleeves by sewing just one seam. I was a little hesitant because I really did not want to mess it up. I looked at a few pictures online and visualized everything and what not. Then I just pinned and double checked the fit and everything and then started sewing away. When I went to flip the sleeves – it worked!!!!!! It was seriously the easiest way to line sleeves for 18th cent garments and I can’t imagine doing it any other way now.
And now a bit of preliminary research for embellishment…
I love the matching fabric pleated trim and contrasting color ribbons. I really do. A lot.
From Costumer’s Guide from Manchester Collection
Congratulations on finishing the jacket! I love the striped fabric and the awesome job you did matching the stripes. 🙂
Thanks!!!
Yes, beautiful job on the stripes. Love the fabric pattern and color. Such a great feeling to have completed such a substantial project. Great job Catherine.
Pingback: Warm Clothing for Cold Weather Finished (for now) | Catherine the Teacher
What an accomplishment. I love the fabric and have ‘fond’ memories sewing, ripping and resewing stripes with my mother watching my every stitch over my shoulder 🙂 Your jacket looks like it will be fun and comfortable to wear, Great job.
Thank you!! I don’t think I did much ripping and redoing thankfully!