Friday, April 4, 2014

Pattern Review: Simplicity 1688 Cynthia Rowley Jacket

So here is the final product of my MAGAM April post. It's been a while since I have sewn with a more recently released pattern, instead of sewing from my pattern stash that are all Out Of Print years ago. It was a $1.5 Simplicity sale that I couldn't resist. The little crop jacket caught my eye in this pattern. I found some remnant of this red heavy linen in my stash. I made a not-so-successful dress from this fabric before. I just had enough of this fabric for a short sleeve jacket.

I cut a size 14 (I'm usually either 12 or 14 for Simplicity patterns). I first pattern fit myself and the jacket was short, even for a short waisted person like me. It was just above my short waist. So I added 5cm to the lower band, cut a short cap sleeve, and drafted front and neck facings since I didn't want to add a lining for a breezy summer linen jacket.

The jacket went together fairly quickly. I didn't look at the instructions since the pattern pieces spoke for themselves. The fabric was a bit stiff and there seems to be a bit more ease at the sleeve cap so I added a little inverted pleat at the top (a total improvisation because of my lack of skills). And this is how it turned out:
You can see that the back is quite loose fitting, which is fine with me. Of course being the oddball who can't follow rules, I added more features to this jacket - inseam pockets:

And here is the little 'dimple' (inverted box pleat) I added to the top of the sleeve cap:

I can see this jacket  being very useful for layering over sleeveless dresses, tank tops for this spring/summer. It actually looks nice enough for the office too. Here is how it looks with jeans:


I'm happy that this little jacket turned out to be a wearable muslin. And I was able to use the stiff red linen remnant too. I think I may just tweak this pattern a bit to reduce the boxiness at the back. I am itching to sew this pattern with other fabrics in my stash too!

6 comments:

  1. Great jacket! I'm loving that sleeve cap "dimple". I'm going to use that in my upcoming projects. :)

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    1. Thanks Jessica! Sometimes my lack of skills can yield interesting results!

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  2. I love the cheery color and that reversed pleat in the sleeve is too cute!

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    1. Thanks Tami Lee! I love red clothing for all seasons. It's my favourite colour!

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  3. Hello Lovenicky. I hope you don't mind, but I have nominated you for a Liebster blog award - your blog is very lovely, and I am glad to have found it (via MAGAM), and would love others to find it too. More about the award here - and you do not have to feel obliged to accept it. My post on this award is: http://sarahlizsewstyle.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/a-liebster-blog-award-thank-you-nakisha.html. That will tell you all about the award.

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    1. Thanks so much Sarah Liz! And thanks for letting me join your awesome Make A Garment A Month community! I feel so honoured.

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