Finally, I’m finished! I have been working on this jacket for a couple of weeks, between other sewing projects and teaching sewing lessons. I deliberately took my time, and made all the changes to the coat bit by bit. I’ve learned to stop sewing when I’m tired or the light is not good. It’s never a good idea to hurry and risk messing something up. I am very pleased with the final result. Yippy!
After I finished the jacket the first time. I realized that I didn’t like the style of the pointy fronts, even though that was what attracted me to the pattern in the first place.
I asked my Facebook friends and commenters on my blog for their opinions about what I should do. I got lots of good ideas, both to keep it like it was, and to change it. The one I liked the best was “Go with what makes you the happiest”. I used the longer version so that I could have pockets, so I had to take into account the length of the pocket bag inside when I changed the length. Basically, I cut it the same length as the back and the pocket bag was fine. I had to unpick the lining that I added, entirely from the bottom, then measure everything carefully and cut a new line on both the jacket and the lining.
Before I sewed it back together, I decided to add shoulder pads which were upcycled from an existing jacket. I also made belt loops that were sewn to the sides.
Fabric: mystery wool blend, plaid fabric from the flat-fold table at Beverly’s
Pattern: Vogue 9037 Very Easy Unlined Jacket
Year: 2014
Notions: interfacing, shoulder pads, two big snaps, silk lining
Time to complete: Enough time to do a nice job! (Several weeks, but who’s counting?)
First worn: November 14 on a lunch date with husband and mother-in-law
Wear again? I’ll be wearing it often! It’s the perfect weight, and really dresses up a pair of jeans.
Total price: Less than $20.oo in materials, free labor!
Pop on over the zibergirl.com to see the lining I made for this unlined coat.
Cute Jacket. I really like the collar. Good choice with chopping off the pointy bits. It has pockets! 🙂
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Great re-do, I agree the straight lines look better and the fit is awesome. I’m gonna call you “Sherlock save a coat!”
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Thanks Kat! I’m very happy that I invested the time to make it look better.
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Great jacket! I like how you changed the hem – it looks a lot better and a lot more balanced than the original pointy-hem version did! 🙂
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What a beautiful jacket. I do think your modifications are great, you’ve definitely improved on the original.
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Thank you, I’m glad I changed it up. It looks a lot better.
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Great Job, it looks great and your hem turned out very nice 🙂
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Love this! Doesn’t sound as easy as Vogue 9037 claims. I’d most likely chew my arm off to avoid, but I certainly am glad that you did! Really gorgeous.
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Actually, it’s pretty easy, if you make it without a lining. Thank you for your kind remarks!
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This looks great on you and you were right to straighten it off along the hem: perfect! That tree/bush behind you in gorgeous, is it an azalea?
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It’s a Japanese Maple. I think we’re having unusually colorful foliage this year. Thank you for the compliment!
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Oh it looks great. Worth persevering with!
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Yes I agree, thanks! 🙂
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Looks very sharp! I like the change to the hem–it definitely works.
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I like the modifications you made to the hem. It makes the jacket seem lighter and fresher and it has ended up at a very flattering length.
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Thank you! I love wearing it. It’s not super warm, more like a heavy sweater.
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I’m pleased to see this made up – I’ve stashed this pattern!
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It’s probably a very fast and easy sew with out the addition of the lining.
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