Simplicity 1699 Jacket Muslin

You've got to see all the progress Victoria of Ten Thousand Sewing Hours (who is hosting the fun Fearless February Sew-Along) has made on her Burda 7192 pants pattern!

From the muslin, it looks like the pants are turning out great.  Can't wait to see them finished! 

 

I spent my Friday night working on my  challenge for Fearless February sewing a muslin of this Simplicity 1699 jacket:

It's a simple lined jacket.  I was surprised when I opened the package to cut out the pieces for the jacket and found there were only 3 pieces.  3!!
There are no zippers, no buttons (uh oh, maybe it wasn't so much of a challenge!)  The pattern does call for a Novelty Braid, which I'm guessing is sort of like adding an embellishment?  It should add a pretty element to my jacket. I'm not sure if I'll do that in black or white or a different color.  I can see this jacket with red or green or blue or yellow.... the color combos are endless!! 

The fabric I have chosen is this pretty black on white eyelet from Yellow Bird Fabrics.  I just have to say, I ordered the fabric over the phone and the customer service was great!! I was very happy with my fabric and the quick shipping.

I worked up the muslin with some kind of cotton fabric I had in my stash.  I think I got it from Joann's when I first started sewing last spring.  Here's my muslin:

I'm not crazy about the way the sleeve poufs at my shoulder.  What do you think about it? It feels a bit too snug around the top of my arms.  Should I size up or just sew a smaller seam? 

Here's a semi side view - I like the way the jacket fits for the most part.  There won't be any closures but there will be some kind of trim around the neck, hem and front opening. 

It falls right over my hip - there is a little fabric wrinkling at my waist in the back but I couldn't a good photo to show you.  I can update later if I can get someone to take photos for me. 

These photos probably all look the same but I wanted to see what it looked like with my hair down.  I always wear it down and over my shoulders.   

See those wrinkles?  That's just from trying it on for about 1/2 hour.

The shoulder has a pleat in it.  I'm not sure if I like that. 

So that's my muslin.  The only thing I'm not crazy about is that pleat in the shoulder of the sleeve.  I think when I sew the actual jacket, I will sew the seams less than 5/8".  Maybe with a little more room in the sleeve, they won't pouf up like that.  What do you think?  I'm not really sure what the problem is there.

What do you think of the way the jacket fits on me?  This jacket will mostly be worn with sleeveless tops or dresses.  I don't like showing my arms much so this will be perfect for wearing around the office or out with friends.

I would love to hear your thoughts!  I'm going to work on the muslin for the Cordova now.

Happy Sewing!!

It's finally time for Fearless February

 I'm a little late but I'm finally catching up to the lovely Victoria's Fearless February Sew Along!

Yes! Another sew along! The challenge is to make something that will challenge you.  Okay, at this point in my sewing life ~ almost everything is a challenge.  I've been learning how to alter patterns recently.  This is especially important since I have a multi-size body.  What do I mean by that?  Well, my upper body is usually on the smaller size of a pattern envelope, while my lower body is usually on the larger size of a pattern.  That wouldn't be a big deal if the two sizes I needed were both in the same envelope!  Yup, my booty needs it's own pattern envelope (does that even make sense!!??) 

So that's always a challenge... but I'm learning to deal with it. Learning how to grade to fit my hips has been an eye-opening experience (my hips are that wide?!)   Oops, didn't mean to digress....

Link here to view pattern: http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/anise

For Fearless February I have chosen to sew a jacket.  I initially wanted to make the Anise by Colette Patterns. See the pretty image?  so nice and I do want it but....













  Well, it never really got cold here because where I live there are mostly palm trees: 

Image of University of Central Florida Arena - www.ucf.edu

That's not a complaint mind you.  I'm very happy with no snow and a mild winter.  (However, I do love to see the pretty photos of snowy neighborhoods)  But I decided that a wool jacket was not for me.  At least not yet.  Okay, so I was intimidated.  There, I said it.  Even with the awesome companion and all, I was a bit skerrred.

Anyways,  I'm sewing a jacket for Fearless February.  I have two in mind. 
Sewaholic's Cordova and Simplicity 1699:

 Not sure I'll do both in February, but I aim to do at least one of them.  Fabric choices are:

White and black eyelet

For Cordova ~ Aqua Linen

For Cordova ~ Orange/ Coral? Linen

So linen for my Cordova ~ not sure which color yet.  I also have purple but since I want this for spring and summer I think a lighter color would be nice.  I'm leaning towards the aqua.
And for Simplicity 1699 ~ the white and black cotton eyelet.

Do you like the idea of a linen jacket?  What about an eyelet one?  What would your color choice be?  (not limited to colors here)

Wish me luck!!