Drafting from RTW

Here is the link to vote on the Fabric Mart site!  Hopefully, you'll vote for me!
Vote here!

So this week's challenge in the Fabric Mart Fabricistas contest is here: 

"Everyone has a favorite garment in their wardrobe. Even if you are a home sewer, nine chances out of ten this favorite garment is not made by you (but maybe it is!) Every time I sew, I try to make each garment my favorite thing to wear, but it just doesn't always work that way. So whether your favorite garment is handmade or not, I want you to dig in your closet for your favorite ready-to-wear garment. It can be a dress, pants, skirt, top, cardigan, anything! Use this garment as a pattern to create a duplicate garment out of a fabric(s) of your choice. You can make an alteration of the RTW item if it doesn't fit you in a particular place, but the objective is to create a duplicate, not an altered version of the original garment. You will be using this garment as a pattern!"

Holy crap!   I've only ever created one garment from a RTW piece and it wasn't for me, it was for a friend.  And, furthermore, I have been weeding out RTW from my closet and replacing it with my own creations, I mean why not?  That is why I sew, right?  To create a unique and custom made wardrobe that is not only fun to create (it is therapy after all!) but a pleasure to wear since I get to hand select the style, color, fit, and fabric.  I think I am inspiring myself!  So, with much nail biting and some trepidation, I set forth to make something that I'd actually want and like wearing. 

But....there are so few things to choose from!  A dress?  I probably have more of those than I need.  Pants?  I made a pair of those last week and I need a break from pants.  Top?  I've also got quite a few of those and .....  Jacket?  Maybe I am onto something here....keep digging in the closet and Viola!  A jean jacket I've worn the heck out of is lurking about and yep!  We've got a winner!  

I love the contrast fabric on the inside that peeks out.  

 

Now for fabric, details, and pattern.  I previously made Butterick 5616 but the styling is a little off--not bad, mind you.  

While the pattern is boxy, I can fix that with some alterations on the style.  Now for the details.  I love those little pockets on the chest of the original garment.  They don't add any bulk and the way the pocket bags are topstitched from the outside is pretty cool and a very clever design detail.  I've never seen anything like that in a pattern and I was certain I could figure it out.  Also, the pattern isn't long sleeved, but that is an easy-peasy fix.
  

I used a RPL or Rayon, Poly, Lycra blend for the main fabric.  The cute detail or contrast fabric which I used on the underside of the collar, cuff, lower band, and pockets is 100% cotton from JoAnn's.  

I had three different fabrics in my hand that coordinated with the light gray RPL and just to be safe, I purchased all three.  

I choose based on the buttons I selected and the print on the cotton.  One thing that always bugged my about the RTW jacket is that the coordinating plaid fabric is wool and mind you, not a soft wool, but a super scratchy, drive you up the tree scratch that you can't wait to take off at the end of the day.  Did that stop me from wearing it?  Nope.  I am a glutton for punishment.  

So, now for what I did with the pattern.  Since Butterick 5616 was my base, I pin fit the tissue to the original garment.  I had to work out how to make the front into three instead of two pieces which proved to be easy.  It also allowed me to make the jacket more fitted than the original as I scaled those pieces somewhat so they took the front in about 2.5 inches overall.  I also had to reconstruct the cuffs and lower band and cut those in half lengthwise and create a two-pieces or a band and facing, likewise with the cuffs.  I love the feel of the cotton on my skin, much nicer than the wool!  

Topstitching fulfills my need for preciseness--is that a word?  I love to see how exact I can make it.  Also, don't you think that is the hallmark of a well constructed garment?  I certainly do!  I copied most--about 95%--of the features that were topstitched on the original onto my garment.  

Oh yes, I almost forgot about that cute but pesky little pocket under the flaps.  So, here are some photos of what I did to recreate it.  I really thought it was fun to make the pocket bags out of the cotton, just like the original.  It did cause me a few head-scratching moments but I figured it out after employing my seam ripper too many times!  Has any one ever seen a pattern with pockets like these before?  If so, I'd love to purchase it just so I can read the directions!  

I am very pleased with my new jacket.  I'm not sure I am ready to ditch my beloved RTW dark jean jacket, but I may have to after I wear this one!  

Being allowed to participate in this even had stretched my creativity and my sewing skills!  Please vote for me if you like what I've done!

Sue :)