By Popular Demand Jacket Sew Along, again

Carole

Last night I cut out another By Popular Demand jacket in last fall's Purple Brick Road. I've only had snippets of time to work in my sewing room lately. It felt like a huge accomplishment to get the jacket cut out. Today while I was at SB I picked up the lining and thread. I still need to select three buttons for the front.

Last fall I cut this fabric for a customer who said she was going to make a jean style jacket and I've had that on my mind for a whole year. She also ordered a beautiful purple batik that looked perfect stacked next to the Purple Brick Road. So I bought some of that too and will make a simple blouse to wear with it. It feels so nice to finally move forward on this project that has been on my mind for so long.

I've gotten a lot of wear out of my green linen version of this jacket. It really is a flattering, comfortable style.

Carole · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:10 pm Post subject:

Yesterday I really got some sewing done. I pieced together the sleeves. I sewed the collar. I sewed the back yoke to the back and the back to the front. Then I set in the sleeves and sewed in the collar. I added the facing. I pressed all the seams open. That felt like a lot of sewing! But I love the fact that my jacket is close to done. I picked up the lining last Thursday at SB and ran it through the washer. Tomorrow I'll try to hem the sleeves and/or bottom hem. Maybe, if it's a good day, I can cut out the lining. On Tuesday I hope to get some buttons. Then another wonderful jacket that will be perfect for our fall weather!

Lois · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:12 am Post subject:

Hi Carole - Wow - this jacket sounds like it's flying together! Second time through on a pattern is always a bonus because you've worked out the bugs. I'm curious.....What are you using for lining? I read that you pre washed it so I'm wondering if it's China Silk. Or Static-Free Poly?

Another question - what did you do for pockets this time? I remember you made some changes from the pattern last time....thanks for keeping us in the loop with your projects; it's inspirational and it's good to hear how well this pattern is working for you.

Me....? I've been cleaning and organizing my house and my sewing room the past several weeks. I suddenly got in the mode of life simplification - trying to get rid of things I no longer need or use. So I am not keeping pace with you but I do like to hear about your sewing activities. I will get there soon - back to sewing I mean...
Thanks again
Lois

Carole · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:40 am Post subject:

Hi Lois, Yes, the second time around is much more fun on a pattern. After I struggled so much with the pockets on the first jacket (and then discarding them altogether) I simply skipped them this time. I also decided that since I'm short-waisted I have no business trying to add a lot of detail to my torso, especially on somewhat of a cropped jacket.

I am using rayon bemberg lining. I love the beefy feel of it after it has been washed and pressed. It kind of reminds me of the sueded rayons that used to be so popular. My daughter loves to try on my jackets and she especially likes the feel of the lining. In fact she has asked me to make her sleepwear out of it!

Dixie picked out some nice buttons for the jacket. Usually I'm pretty insistent on a shank type button, but the perfect color match was one without a shank. I think I'll be happy with it anyway.

I've also skipped all the topstitching on this jacket. The fabric has such a lovely texture and drape that I would hate to add any additional structure or stiffness that topstitching might add.

My sewing room is a complete mess right now. I'm trying to straighten it up just a little every time I sew. Eventually it will get done, but I just don't have huge chunks of time right now to clean and sew!

How are your projects?

Carole · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:38 pm Post subject:

Back to baby steps on my jacket. One night I quickly hemmed the sleeves and bottom edge. The next night I cut out the lining. The next night I sewed it together. Another night I attached the linings to the facings. Now I'm attaching the lining to the bottom and sleeve hems by hand. A slow job that seems to stretch out a long way. Dixie picked out some cute buttons called Pop Out or Pop Up or something like that, that will look nice.

My sewing room is neater for the time being. It was just too messy to sew, so I spent 15 minutes straightening patterns and deciding which project to tackle next. Then I put other things back in the cupboard and bin for another day.

Carole · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject:

This morning I finished up attaching the lining to the bottom hem and sleeve hems. I thought I was going to have time to do the buttonholes, but I really didn't. So I just practiced making some on a scrap of fabric. Maybe tomorrow I'll get this jacket finished up!

Carole · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:20 pm Post subject:

Another By Popular Demand finished! It took tiny tiny steps at the end. One day, for instance, I made two buttonholes! The next day I made the third. On another day I sewed the buttons on. I still need to do a final press and post a picture here. Hopefully I can get that done tomorrow. I'm already thinking about another jacket like this. Maybe I'll look through my stash, or even more fun, maybe I'll get some cool new fabric this week at SB!

Carole · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject:

Here are two pictures of my new jacket. The second one really shows the texture of the fabric and the cool Pop Up buttons.

Lois · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:43 am Post subject:

Carole - that is a fabulous jacket! Love the buttons.

BrendaJo · Joined: 20 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Cape Cod

That is a great jacket and the button choice is perfect!