A White Transitional Jacket

I wanted to make another version of Silhouette Patterns Zoanne's Cape but this time with raised armholes and corresponding sleeves.My sewing group really liked my first version and a couple of the ladies are interested in making one  and I wanted to fix that too low armscye problem.

 I stood in my sewing room staring at my fabrics until my eyes settled on a piece of white quilted in black  fabric I had used for this top and which I bought when I used the rust version for my sister's jacket made last fall. I bought the fabric at Fabricville but it was available at Marci Tilton.com  The white is sold out but there are other colours.

Here is my new favorite jacket. I absolutely love it. The photo just doesn't do it justice.

Of course , as you see I made many style changes to the pattern but the front, back and neckline were unchanged except for the length .

Here is what I did.

I used the armscye  and upper sleeve  from a different jacket pattern (V1264 ).

I  added 7 inches to the  length.

I wanted to  follow the lines of the design in the fabric so instead of the slanted front, I dropped it straight down but  the overlap is the same as the original.

I added slanted patch pockets.

The collar is a a rectangle instead of the shaped one of the pattern and measures 6" by the length of the neckline.I curved the corners and trimmed with self fabric.

For the buttons,I stacked white buttons on black  but instead of buttonholes, I used snap closures.

I used no facings. All the edges were  finished  by wrapping various strips of  fabric ,then  stitching and trimming.

It was  a fairly quick sew . The changes I made to the armscye and sleeves made all the difference. I've worn it and have gotten plenty of compliments from friends and strangers alike.

This is just the right jacket for this time of year which is finally warming up.

And it's roomy enough to wear over cardigans and bulkier tops too.

Next up, I'm working on a really cool faux leather suit that I want to wear to the ballet  (Swan Lake)  next week with my sister.

Happy Sewing from

Mixing Fabrics, Patterns, and Colours

I've decided I'm not going to show you every little thing I make anymore because some of the things I make are necessarily very ordinary but having said that , I do want to show you a couple of tops I made this winter because I love mixing fabrics and textures together and I think my new tops are a good example.

But first here is a collage of just some of the garments I've made in the past where I mixed fabrics together.

My first top is M6922  and I used 3 fabrics. My rule of thumb is to use each fabric at least twice in the garment so as you see, that's what I did in this sweatshirt which I love.

The cable knit came from a poncho I made a couple of years ago but didn't  wear.The floral is a cotton/poly from Fabricmart and the stripe is from Fabricville.

( I was trying to find a spot in my house that wasn't too sunny! )

In my second top ,I used a piece of very soft faux fur, a heavy ponte, and a pretty textured floral knit salvaged from this top which I just never wore. I used M7093 and I have to admit, I didn't get the fit right on this one but it's cute isn't it. I especially like the cuffs which were my second spot for the faux fur.

But do you know what the best thing about these garments is? The fun I had creating them and finding the fabrics to use for each (all from my stash,BTW) If, like my sewing friend Donna, you are intrigued by mixing up fabrics. prints, etc. , do give it a try. It's just so much fun!

I have a really great jacket to show you next time and I'm working on an edgy suit for an event I'm attending so come back and see me soon, won't you?