Yep, another jacket--Simplicity 2446

Today my husband asked why I am making so many jackets.  I had to think about this for a moment and wondered well, why not?  They are great layering pieces, take some finesse, and are actually quite fun!  I found this pattern and the fabric on Craftsy as a sewing kit.  I really like the lavender with the striped lining.  The buttons are from Fashion Sewing Supply in a shell.  I think the are a nice compliment to the fabric's color.

Back to the pattern...this is an amazing fit jacket that is lined.  There are individual pattern pieces for cup sizes A, B, and C sizes.  I made a 14 with a C cup.  I LOVE how these amazing fit patterns fit!

 The jacket can be made in two lengths.  I made the longer length of view A.  There are some excellent pro tips included in the directions which give you some fantastic results.  I included quite a few of them, but not all.  The pocket flaps are just for looks.  There are side seam pockets that are unique and functional!  I purposely used the lining portion of the pocket and adhered that to the jacket side front so that you can see the lining when I move.

This pattern takes about average sewing skills.  There is quite a bit of easing, that is if you use the larger cup sizes in the bust area and also with the collar pieces.  I found a few misprints which really aren't a huge deal, although if you area  beginner and haven't made a jacket prior to this one, you'd get stumped--easily and probably frustrated as well!

First error is that the easing shows up on the front piece and you are supposed to ease the front to the side front, however, if you use a larger cup size, there is no way on the planet you can make this work, and trust me, I tried!  Go with your instinct and ease the side front to the front.

There is a printing error with two notches at the front lapel/neckline on the front piece and no corresponding double notch on the collar.  I laid out all my remaining pattern pieces and tried to figure out why there weren't any corresponding double notches and determined this was an error.  Again, not a huge deal, but could cause quite a bit of confusion.

I found the remainder of the directions adequate and helpful.

I made a few alterations which were my usual swayback adjustment, inserting 1/2" shoulder pads instead of the 1/4" (maybe I do have slightly sloping shoulders?), and to lengthen the sleeves by about 1/4"--not a big deal at all!


I think the genius in this pattern is twofold: of course the cup sizing and also the way the pleat that starts at the neckline and flows down the to almost the bust.  Both are very well executed.

I love this jacket in the cotton with the striped lining.  While the cotton makes this more casual, I can also see this in a wool, gabardine, or other nice fabric that has some body.

Thanks for reading!  I'd love to hear what kind of garments have been are your sewing table lately. Are you like me and sew a lot of the same?

Sue  

Blue Ginger Doll Winifred dress disaster

So, I ordered a few kits from Craftsy and was excited to try them as there were a few pattern designers I hadn't come across before and in my attempt to expand my sewing knowledge, it was just necessary to purchase.  Right?

So, here comes the Winifred dress from Blue Ginger Doll.   In theory, it is a cute design that looks comfortable, especially for a hot summer day.  Here is a photo from their website:

Here is a description from the website: 

The Winifred dress is the perfect everyday dress. Easy to sew and comfortable to wear this dress is designed for the beginner sewer. Featuring front tuck darts that are designed to flatter the waistline as well as create a lovely flowing skirt. An elastic waistline on the back of the dress hug the curves as well eliminating the need for any closures, making it easy to just throw on the dress and get on with your day. Finishing off the Winifred dress is a cute belt design feature on the back of the dress.

View A - Features short kimono sleeves

View B- Features longer 3/4 sleeves.

Perfect for a range of fabrics and seasons, The Winifred dress will become your go to dress!

Sizing:

Multi-Size:  4-24.  Bluegingerdoll patterns are designed on a D cup.

D cup?  No way...there is no way this dress will fit a D cup, or even a B cup for that matter.  Trust me...

So here is what I didn't look closely enough at--look at the fold just above the bust....a serious sign this could be ill-fitting in that area.  It also looks rather close-fitting (ok, tight, and perhaps uncomfortably so).

I have to say I can't for the life of me remember what size I cut when the kit arrived.  There was no suggestion for interfacing the neckline area and the cotton included with the kit was okay, not super high quality but not fall apart cheap either but being the over achiever that I am, I interfaced.

With zero closures included, in theory this is supposed to just pops over your head and off you go!  But this thing isn't easy to get on or off.  I love the idea of throwing a dress on and pulling it over my head, but this has very little clearance.  Neither DD1 or myself have an overly large head and it was a struggle!  I even let out the seam as much as I could so there was even an inch more than I started with but it didn't really help!


There is elastic at the back waist seam that allows for some shaping and two darts at the waistline that are a vertical triangle but open at the bottom--as if that makes any sort of sense at all!  But I took those darts out immediately as I felt the need to breathe.

This did not fit me at all, so I was hoping DD1 would like it and it'd fit her.  She is modeling it and decided she HATED it until she saw the pictures.  I didn't finish the dress which you can see how the hems on the sleeves and lower edge of the dress haven't even been attempted yet.  I also took out the darts thinking we could  fit it to her.  She doesn't want the darts and she may not want the dress either. Jury is still out, so it will go in her to maybe finish someday pile.

Honestly, don't waste your money on this pattern.  I normally don't say that if I don't make a muslin first, but this pattern seems poorly executed and fitting would be an absolute nightmare unless you are more of an athletic build so you wouldn't need much shaping.

That's all I've got for this pattern.  Sigh.  You win some, you loose some and this is a looser!

Sue