Sunday, April 12, 2015

Vogue 8757 + McCall's 5590 = A Retired Lady's Suit

It's late to be showing a winter outfit but I've had this made for a while now. Originally, I was going to make just a jacket out of this faux snake print and faux leather combo but Vogue 8757 called to me from the shelf one day and I had to try it. I later added the skirt to make a suit to attend Swan Lake with my sister Pauline.
For the skirt, I used my TNT pattern for a pencil skirt, McCall's 5590



The faux leather was not top notch quality and gave me no end of trouble with puckered seams .I should have interfaced it (and I may yet buy more fabric and take the jacket apart to do that. !!!) I used my walking foot and that was fine but still,  less than perfect garments resulted. wearable but not perfect.On the other hand the faux snake leather was a dream to work with and has a nice firm hand








Don't you love the collar. I cut off 1" from the depth  of the collar to get this look.





The pattern calls for knit sleeves and as I was not using a knit, I changed up the armscye and the sleeve by copying them from another jacket pattern. I don't love the sleeves and had to open up the lining and go back in and reshape them. Better , but again not perfect. I actually took the sleeves out and resewed them in to get rid of those awful pull lines.

For closures, I used large brass snaps.

As you see, I cut up the skirt pattern to form  princess seams so it would match up with the jacket.



A peek at the lace trimmed lining. Pretty, isn't it?




Here is the jacket worn with the new brown jeans I just finished. I was on my way to have a root canal in this photo ! (Yuck! ) One of my snaps isn't done up. That's why the jacket isn't hanging right.






For dressy casual...



And here is how I've worn it it  to go to church.



                       


Well, that's it for winter sewing. I'm happily cutting out and sewing some spring pieces. A dark navy raw silk topper is in the works !

Thanks for stopping by to take a look. I really hope you all had time to sew this weekend.

More later from



11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks fabulous! I love the fabric combination. Bummer that the faux leather gave you trouble - it's no fun when that happens. Still, the end product looks great.

Faye Lewis said...

Gorgeous!

Jenny said...

So fun! I love that the jacket can be casual or more dressy.

Vicki said...

Wow, the dentist must have been impressed! Love the jacket and it looks so good with all the combos.

SewCraftyChemist said...

It's fantastic! Every time I see a version of this jacket I want to move it up in queue.

Sew, Jean Margaret said...

Lovely suit which also looks great worn as separates. Very stylish.

Mary said...

Wow, that is a wonderful ensemble. You always inspire me.

Sharon said...

Love your new suit and the jacket works so well with other pieces.

Angela said...

I love it, both with the skirt and with jeans! As someone who just had a root canal and has another one coming, I echo your yuck! But I have to say I was not nearly so well-dressed:)

Gail said...

Perfect outfit Diana! I like it worn casually, but all of the views work. Don't discount wearing the skirt with a long cardigan.

Unknown said...

It looks amazing! and you also.

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