Remember the ARRRHHHHHH moment in the first installment? I eventually pulled myself together, and several deep breathes & days later I had a plan.
I unpicked the sleeve head (shown by the orange highlighter), and added another piece of fabric – stitching along the yellow highlight. I inserted a small tab which matched the interior of the coat.
I prefer this the “uncut” sleeve head. It adds a RTW feel to it. So really it was a blessing in disguise cutting the hole, and character building too!
Here’s some more pix of the Albion:
As you can see I used the same fabric as the bias trim for the inside yoke. I used the method as per the instructions (which i think is the burrito method), but had to unpick my first attempt. The lower piece of the back ended up inside the yoke not outside. On the 2nd attempt I took things more slowly and it was ok.
I spent ages and ages with the pocket linings to make sure the right side would be shown on the inside of the jacket, but as you can see I failed miserably!
The fail on the inside meant that from the outside the inside pockets do look better!
This shows how I reinforced the fabric where the buttons were sewn on. This was my idea and not in the instructions. I used the bias binding and cut it into little rectangles and interfaced it. I sewed it onto the jacket prior to sewing on the buttons. The stitching shows a little bit on the front, but is mostly behind the buttons.
I machine stitched the buttons in place. I removed the foot from my machine and just used the base of the thing that the foot is fastened to. (sorry having a blank moment and can’t think what it’s called! The Buttons were recycled from an old Betty Jackson cardigan, but there were only 4 so I needed to find 2 more for the cuffs.
I have a fairly big button stash which I inherited from my mum in law. This is a selection of single ones with the occasional pair. I used the 2 black buttons on the mid-left.
View of the back. Not sure if you can see it but I added a loop from bias binding to use for hanging the jacket.
for the loops I bought a length of cord and followed the instructions to make them. It was just a case of folding them in half and zig-zagging the ends together. The trim on the front of the jacket do match up, they look a bit off on this photo.
My jacket in action after a walk around Shibden Park (its a beautiful place, but I only have photos of me in the carpark!) Worn with leggings, blogged HERE, and my Sewaholic Renfrew (unblogged).Think I need To learn to breath in when twirling.
the back view. don’t know why I’ve got my hand stuck in my pocket!
VERDICT:
This is the best casual jacket I own, but also the most expensive. When I was 3/4 of the way through making it I ran out of thread (soooo much stitching to do – buy 2 spools if you intend to make the unlined version). I called into Boyes in Brighouse, about 7 miles away, for a second spool. On the way home I had a bump in my car (my fault) which ended up me paying an excess of £400 to the insurance company!! Hence the very expensive coat.
It’s not put me off it though. It’s roomy enough to wear a thick jumper underneath, but looks equally good withjust a thin top underneath.
I’ve lost count of the number of “No! You didn’t make that!?” moments that I’ve had.
Not including the cost of my car, and the pattern, this jacket has cost about £20-25 to make (I used 2.5m @ £7/m), but I think something similar would be at least £70 in the shops, maybe more, I’ve lost track of what things cost since I’ve joined the RTW fast this year.
If you’re considering making one, don’t go for the unlined version if you want a quick make! I think the lined version would be much quicker. Also, if you have internet access when sewing and are thinking of buying the sewing companion I’d save your money and use the sew along instead, unless you’re a complete novice.
I’m on the lookout now for some fabric for my hubby. He’s seen a similar jacket in John Lewis for about £120 in a mustardy yellow soft twill. I’d also like to make myself a waterproof version, maybe in some funky laminated cotton.
What are you making to keep you warm? Are you joining in the monthly stitches challenge – outerwear…..?
T H I M B E R L I N A 
Great save! The jacket looks really good. Is your husband already getting excited about his version?
Thanks Emmely,
Hubby’s not too excited at the minute, he might be once we find the fabric but as he’s not been on the receiving end of any of my sewing so far, I don’t think he thinks he’ll ever get anything!
Ah, he’s worried he’ll get his hopes up and then have to wait 5+ years before it’s finally completed. 😉 I’ve made a couple of items for my boyfriend and he wears them all and it’s really great to see someone else wear clothes I made and see he’s happy wearing them. Go for it!
I was going to suggest using iron-on interfacing on the inside and a motif patch on the outside but I love your choice of repair – very inventive!
Thanks,that’s a good idea but it was such a conspicuous place that I’d managed to snip I’m not sure it would have looked right just there.
Oh my gosh you are “sew” awesome!! That is beyond brilliant idea for a repair it looks so cool!!! I love it!!!
Thankyou!!
Since i wrote this post I’ve found some pix which I took as I made the repair. When I get chance I might right a post to show everyone….it would be easy to add to any jacket or coat, even a RTW one!
Your posts do make me smile! Can’t believe what happened to your car, oh dear! So frustrating, I bet you felt like screaming… It all turned out well in the end though. It’s a very impressive make, highly professional looking 🙂
Thankyou!
Car’s looking good now on the front end with it’s shiny new bumper, so alls not bad!
Yea, I’m so pleased with the jacket, and the fixed bit really does finish it off.
PS. Glad I made you smile….hope it’s at my writing and not you laughing at my photographs!
Of course 😉
What a great solution!
Thanks for the inspiration ~
del
Your welcome Del, Thanks for stopping by!
Good job! You sure managed to put it together nicely!
Thanks Linda, I really enjoyed making this, there were so many things that I not really done before, and for once I paced myself instead of rushing through it.
Oh wow! Love it! Looks amazing! I like the sleeve with the extra bit too…makes it more designers! Calico laine sell lots of twill and gaberdine , not sure if they do mustard tho! Well done. I think I need one! Lol
Thanks Aanda!
How about you make me a frock and I’ll make you a jacket..lol
Had a look at Calico laine, they’ve some lovely fabrics. Almost ordered a few bits but resisted as I really need to sew what I have before I buy any more (unless its for the hubby!).
My favourite fabric of theirs at the minute is the gaberchino . It is great to sew and better for the winter weather. Would make a great jacket like yours! Maybe we could go into business in a dress and jacket combo sort of way?? Oh no, I just remembered…you aren’t wonky enough to work with me!!!! Hahaha
Oh my word! How did you turn around a catastrophic disaster and make it look even better?!?! Also thanks for a visual on how to sew buttons on by machine. I tried this a few dresses ago (Sureau, I think) but every time I put the foot down on the button it shifted. i never thought to remove the foot. D’oh!!
I’m not sure if taking the foot of is really the proper way, but it worked really well with the big button. I have one of them proper feet for sewing on small buttons but it does’t hold it very well, or I’m doing it wrong.
Glad to see you’ve gotten lots of support with your Dahlia and I hope we see it soon…finished!
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