Capri Jacket Sew Along: Week Three

Carole

This morning while the house was still quiet, I spent some time in my sewing room. I hemmed the sleeves on my Luxor jacket by hand, sewed in the facing and understitched it. Then I hemmed the lower edge of the jacket all the way around by hand. I considered using the blind hem stitch on the sewing machine, but I decided to keep the overall effect very soft by doing it by hand.

Then I had to set the jacket aside because the rest of the day is calling. I've got to play mom and drive my daughter various places. And my husband announced that he wants to weed every garden in the yard (I have a big yard!). So I definitely won't be getting back to working on that gorgeous white fabric later today. I may try, though, to get back up in my sewing room tonight and cut out another Capri Jacket in the black La Jolla or the drapey Pueblo.

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 72

Did you guys hear me crying yesterday? I hit a set back Sad

I went to preshrink my Americana tweed. I soaked it in luke warm water. There was a slight bleeding of dye, but nothing alarming. Then I got distracted with the kids. We went outside to play in the pool, and I forgot about my soaking fabric. When I finally remembered (a few hours later), the water was purple, and fabric has very distinct purple hue splotches all over it. I dried it hoping that it'll be less noticeable when dry, but they are still there. I decided to cut my loses early and not spend my time sewing with it. It'll make a nice home dec something, but not a jacket.

I have to figure my next fabric-victim now. I had my heart set on Americana. I'll need a few days to get over my grief. I'll keep you posted

Lois · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 12:53 pm Post subject:

Oh No Nata!!! I can't believe that! So sorry to hear about that mishap. I'm sure you are disappointed. But there's always more fabric. I bet you have something perfect that is aging in your stash.

At my sewing guild meeting someone told me about an anti-bleed product which is commonly sold in Quilt stores. It's a liquid that you add to the water and it helps keep colors in place. I have no idea if that would have helped your situation but for what's it's worth I wanted to let everyone know about the product. The one which is sold here in Southern Calif is called Retayne and the bottle states it's for Cotton fabrics. Don't know if it would hurt silks. I've used it on wool when felting a handbag and had good results.

Lois · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject:

Carole - Don't you just love a quiet house and some time to sew? I'm happy to hear you got to handstitch your hems. I find that really relaxing. I wish I could begin my jacket but I've got a family gathering to attend on the East Coast next week so this week will be focused on preparation for that trip. As soon as I am back on July 2 I will regroup and dive into this project.

My status so far....I received my pattern and have traced off my size. I would like to work on a muslin this week to get the fitting issues behind me but I won't promise. It might all have to wait until July. But I'm happy that I've got the jacket and the fabric selected. Some other members have written that their time is jammed this month so I hope they can dive into the project and join me in July. June is such a busy month.

Barb · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:46 pm Post subject:

Boy I'm with you guys. I really thought my weekends would settle out, but now that I actually have a little time away from work, it's filled with "June" activities. I had hoped to cut my muslin today. I'm going to try to squeeze in some time at night this week. I'm intrigued by everyone's comments on back interest. I suspect when I get to the muslin, I'm going to be ok with the straight back, but will want some shaping in the front. I'm a rectangle, have always been a rectangle and will probably always be a rectangle. It's just that the rectangle keeps enlarging as each decade goes by Rolling Eyes

I can't wait to get to my muslin so I can really focus on my pattern alterations.

Carole · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 4:52 pm Post subject:

Nata, I can only imagine your disappointment with your fabric. I know I sometimes put something in the dryer to 'fluff' and then get distracted. When I finally remember, the garment has shrunk! I hope you still find the energy and enthusiasm to find another piece of fabric and carry on. Thinking of you!

I'm wondering how y'all feel about shoulder pads in this jacket. I forgot to get some when I was at SB on Tuesday - again. I think I need a small pad just for some body. The pattern calls for one. I think I'd like to use a smaller one than I used on my purple tencel jacket. Maybe I'll replace the one in that with a smaller pad while I'm at it.

It's a busy time for me, but I'm going to try out a few practice buttonholes in the fabric before I brave doing them for real.

Barb · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject:

I don't have any experience with the Capri jacket, but I did make a number of Florence and Shawl Collar jackets when Loes first came out with the patterns. She recommended a 1/2 " pad (our SP14) and I found that was sufficient to support almost any of the fabrics I chose. It provides a slight lift at the shoulder without overdoing. We also have a 1/4" shoulder pad in stock that we've yet to get up in the web store. This has a little broader coverage, but would be considered shoulder shaping rather than a pad. I have square shoulders so I'm always conscious of the "padding" that I add, but I do find I want some kind of shaping to support the jacket shoulder line.
I'm curious what size you used on your purple jacket Carole?

Carole · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:24 pm Post subject:

I think the 1/2" pad will be perfect for this project, and the others (Pueblo, Coyote Canyon and black La Jolla) that I have planned. I used a rather large one, with a shoulder that extends down into the sleeve for my purple one. And that works well over a thicker blouse or sweater. I think, though, that I'll be wearing just a thin layer under the Luxor.

I worked on some buttonholes tonight. They look fine with only the facing as stabilization. Thank goodness. I didn't want to go back and add in a strip if interfacing now that everything is almost all sewn together.

I think I'll make horizontal buttonholes. As I look at the pattern front, it looks like Ms. Hinse's buttonholes are vertical. Does anyone else see that? I guess I think all jackets look better with horizontal ones.

NancyT · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Arizona

Hello everyone!
I'm new to the "Salon" and was intrigued by this project. I have had the Capri jacket pattern for a while, but haven't been inspired to do anything with it. Now I am! Is it too late to get some fabric ordered and join in? I love the choices that have been suggested, and my biggest problem is making a choice. Living in Arizona, especially this time of year, a jacket is not always a compelling project, but I have a couple of out of town trips coming up that will require a light weight jacket.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you through this forum.
Very Happy

Barb · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject:

Welcome Nancy! Carole is away this weekend, but I know she will tell you it is definitely not too late to join in! Most of us haven't actually begun the project yet, although I'll speak for myself, I've constructed it in my head a number of times Very Happy

I hope to cut out my muslin this weekend and do the initial fit. I'll report in if I accomplish this!!