Capri Jacket Wrap Up

Carole · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject: Capri Jacket Wrap Up

I'm finalizing plans for my last jacket in this series. Last winter we got in just a few yards of a western style knit we called Coyote Canyon. I picked up a two yard piece and have been waiting for a pattern that seemed to fit it. I think a Capri Jacket out of it will be nice. The fabric has is mostly dark blue with teal and camel western motifs and stripes. I'm normally not much of a stripe sewer, but I just loved this. It will be a challenge for me! The other day at SB, Candy helped me see that one of the stripes was actually shaped kind of like a concha belt. She suggested that that stripe would look nice somewhere near my waist. She is so good at seeing things like that in fabric. I was just so nervous about the whole idea of matching horizontal stripes that I couldn't see past that. Now I have a little more confidence when I go to cut it out.

While this may be the last Capri Jacket I write about here, please let us know how yours are coming along! We all love pictures, so post them if you can.

Carole · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject:

Tonight I cut out my Coyote Canyon jacket. I spent a lot of time thinking about the stripes on my body. Candy's suggestion of putting the concha-like stripe near by waist was a good idea. Finally tonight, after much fretting and fussing, I just cut out the major pieces - fronts, sleeves and back. I'll save the facings for another day. I'm really pleased with how the layout and cut out went. I sort of laid everything out on my cutting table and posted the picture below so everyone can kind of see how the finished jacket will look. Tomorrow I'll take in a scrap of fabric to SB and see if Dixie can match up some nice buttons.

Carole · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:41 am Post subject:

Back to baby steps in the sewing room. I cleaned off my cutting table and found my Coyote Canyon jacket under a pile of clothing that needs to be mended. I only had time to fuse strips of interfacing for stabilizing the shoulder seams. Guess getting something done is better than nothing!

Carole · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

I actually started sewing today. I sewed the shoulder seams. Then I basted the sleeves to the body and checked to see if the stripes matched. I knew that they really needed to be neat and even across the upper chest and arm. One side was good on the first try. I had to rip out the other side twice, but I'm happy with it now. Then I stitched the seams using a small zig zag because the fabric is a knit.

This is going to be one fun jacket. The western motif will be a perfect pick-me-up on days when I'm homesick for my native Colorado!

Carole · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject:

Another short sewing session tonight. I cut out the facings which was a bit of a job. I had to line up the stripes on the jacket front and cut the facings so the stripes matched across the center seam. I sewed the back facing to the front facing and sewed all the facings to the jacket body. Then I sewed the long sleeve and body seams front to back. I was too tired to understitch the facings, so I'll do that another day. The best part about sewing tonight was that I was able to try it on. Now I'm more motivated to get this one done.

A couple of weeks ago Dixie helped me pick out some cool metal buttons called Tartlet for the front. They have sort of an antiqued brass finish. Also I have the lining all washed (but not pressed) and ready to cut out.

Carole · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:13 pm Post subject:

More sewing this morning. I hemmed the sleeves, understitched the facings and pinned in place the jacket hem. Oh, and I sewed in some small shoulder pads too.

Maybe tomorrow I can hem the bottom and at least get the lining cut out.

Lois · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:32 am Post subject:

Hi Carole - Are you going to interface the hems? Just curious ...
Thanks for sharing your process with us. I don't recall... what did you select for buttons? Do you plan to do machine buttonholes? Please share your tips on those. I'm always afraid they will stretch out when stitching them, and I have minimal experience with stretch fabrics.

Thanks
Lois

Carole · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:15 am Post subject:

Hi Lois,

I didn't interface the hems because the fabric is pretty thick. It seems like it has two layers. One thin layer on top seems to carry the fancier stripes and a thicker underlayer carries more of the heft of the plain stripes. It's hard to describe, but in some ways it looks like a double cloth fabric in that the edges separate. However, there is a definite right and wrong side to the fabric. It really is lovely and unique.

I am thinking a little about putting some interfacing under the buttonholes, just for some support. And under the buttons too. The buttons Dixie picked out have a cool antiqued brass finish and are a little chunky. They are called Tartlet. I'm debating about whether to use vertical or horizontal buttonholes. It's been a while since I've made some in a knit and I'll have to test a few in each direction to see which ones I like best.

I also have the same issue going with my Nice Kitty Kitty jacket/sweater. Those darn buttonholes always slow me down and do a number on my sewing confidence!

Carole · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject:

I got the bottom hemmed. The lining is yet to be cut out - bummer! Got to get on that.

Carole · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:11 pm Post subject:

I've finally spent some time in my sewing room the past couple of days. This afternoon I finished my Coyote Canyon jacket. It is so cute! I'll try and post a picture tomorrow.

It took some concentrated effort to get the lining in this time, but by taking tiny steps as often as I could, the jacket gradually came together.

Carole · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:06 am Post subject:

Here's a pic of my new Coyote Canyon jacket!

Janee · Sawyer Brook Staff Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 64

Carole -

Beautiful matching job! It really suits you - the stripes are laid out really nicely to enhance your curves! Reading through your posts I enjoyed following the process (it's been a while since I've been here in the Salon - had computer problems a couple of months ago and lost all my links and passwords, just now getting back into the swing and catching up). Reading what you're up to in your sewing room makes me really jealous, and wish I had time to sew more for me. But those clients' projects really have to come first, and now I have a stack of Christmas gift garments to get done...