Saturday, October 27, 2007

BWOF 10-07-121 Finished!



I finally did it. It's finished, and I don't even know if I like it. For one thing, this neckline is low and wide, which really limits the tops you can wear with it. It doesn't look right with a shirt or even anything with a collar. Maybe mine is too tight. And that's another problem. It seems a bit snug across the back. I made a 38 and did FBA and even sewed smaller side seams and widened the sleeves, but it still seems a little tight if I reach forward. The fabric is really warm, which maybe wasn't the best choice since the jacket is so open - more of a blouse than a jacket really. Maybe I need to just hang it in my closet for a while and try it again later.


Here are some pictures of the inside lining. I like how they have you sew the peplum to the bodice and the lining to the upper lining all in one step. It really turns out nicely.

This pattern was rated a 2.5 dot on the Burda difficulty scale, but I would say it is no less than a 3. The pleating was very time consuming and required a bit of adjusting. Sewing on the sleeve bands and belt had to be done mostly by hand, and the belt itself was a little challenging if you've never made one before. I really did have fun with the eyelets, and now that I've had to buy the tool, I will be on the lookout for more ways I can incorporate these in my sewing. I used to do a lot of scrapbooking, and I loved using eyelets on the pages and in cards.

I'm also trying to decide if this jacket would look better with a couple of big buttons in the front. I did make covered snaps, because even though I was able to get black snaps, I felt they would really look ugly and stand out if the jacket were unbuttoned. I didn't have any black organza, so I used chiffon instead. It was really quite easy to do. I found a washer that was aprox. 2 times the diameter of my snaps, so I traced around that and cut out a circle of chiffon. I then took tiny running stitches around the edge - just like making a yo-yo. I then put the snap inside the circle face down, and pulled the stitches up so that the fabric encircled the snap. I took a couple of stitches on the backside to pull it all together and keep it snug. I really like how it makes the snaps blend into the fabric. I only did this on the bottom half of the snaps. I thought 2 layers of fabric might make it difficult for the snaps to stay shut, and also, the top snaps are on the underside of the garment, so I don't think they will show.

Well, my daughter went crazy with the camera, so here are a few more pix.


17 comments:

Summerset said...

I can understand that you're on the fence about this one, but I really like it on you! I've been contemplating this one for myself (like I'll have time to make it, right!). You've done a lovely job with it.

Yes, the BWOF low neckline strikes again. I noticed that in the mag, they've styled it with a turtleneck. In my climate, that's appealing, but maybe not in yours. I'm constantly adusting their necklines or wearing layers to make them modest enough for public viewing.

Bonnie O. said...

Nancy, it turned out beautifully! That neckline is a bit tricky. I didn't care for it with the turtleneck in the picture. I think anything with a scoop neck would be fine. I wanted to make this but I haven't found any fabric I like for it and have too many other projects ahead of it anyway. But you have a very lovely garment!

Linda L said...

You really did a great job on this jacket. I really like the look of it and it looks great on you.

Anonymous said...

I think it looks really lovely on you, but I too can understand why you have doubts. Like Summerset, I have had trouble with BWOF necklines being too wide and low, but I am narrow through the front upper torso and wider in the back, which always means extra alterations in these areas for BWOF.

I did like it with the turtleneck, and wonder if one of those really thin, tissue weight ones would work for you, or perhaps a scoop neck that somewhat echoes the shape of the jacket neckline.

Nancy Winningham said...

Thanks for all of your comments and encouragement. I do have a tissue weight turtle and cowl. It looks ridiculous with the cowl. The turtle is black, so I didn't want to wear it for the picture. I'm also planning on making a short sleeve turtle, but it's still too hot here for high necklines. It's cool in the morning, but gets in the low 80s in the afternoons.

Adrienne said...

It came out great!!! This will be my very next BWOF! I am almost finished with my first BWOF blouse!

Elaray said...

You did a great job on this jacket. As I was looking at the pics of the lining, I was thinking, "This must be a 3 dot pattern". I think it looks good on you, but I can see where the neckline might be a problem. I don't know who the folks BWOF think they are designing for with those necklines!! :) Onward to the next project!

Erica Bunker said...

Nancy, the jacket turned out beautiful!

Anonymous said...

wow, this looks exactly like the Model's version, you did a fantastic job Nancy!!!

Lori said...

Nancy, I can understand how you feel. Your work is superb and then the outcome it not what you expected. I really like this on you and agree with the others a turtleneck would look very nice. Thanks for all the lovely pictures.

Christina said...

Your jacket is beautiful! I think the key will be finding the right top to wear underneath; I like Mardel's idea of a scoopneck that echoes the shape of the neckline. Something else to sew, perhaps!

Juliane said...

This is lovely! The pattern isn't in my size range, but since I saw it in the magazine I've been thinking about grading it up to fit me. You inspire me to go ahead and do it! Great look!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Nancy - I really like the way the jacket looks on you. Of course that does not say how it fits or helps with your neckline conundrum. My first thought was a shirtlike or turtleneck dickey...you would get something to fill the neckline without the added bulk.

Kitty Couture said...

That is so beautiful! I was planning on making this overblouse, too. Now I'm not absolutely sure anymore - yours looks gorgeous, but as you said, is may not be the kind of garment one gets lots of wear out of... so is it worth all the hard work... hmmm.
Still, you did a wonderful job with it. No question about that. It is, in itself, absolutely fabulous.
To make or not to make - that is the question!

LauraLo said...

I love it!

Anonymous said...

This is just gorgeous on you! Please don't leave it in the closet for too long, this is such a beauty. [Applause!]

SherryV

Tany said...

I love it!!!! You did an outstanding work!