McCalls 6042 - finished!

Hi again!
well its finally done. Mccalls 6042, view B....

This was a fairly easy jacket to sew, as far as jackets go....
It is fully lined, which is a must for a jacket (in my opinion), especially with this fabric as it frays so much!
The fabric is an oriental brocade with a satin finish (it has a gorgeous lustre), & judging by the softness of it I'd say it has a fair bit of rayon in it.
It was actually fairly easy to sew too, easing in very well & being easy to blind handsew due to the jacquard weave of the design (hides your stitches nicely).
So I would definitely recommend trying this fabric out.

I bought this piece on Ebay, thru an Asian seller who also sells beautiful silks - goodtakecare.
Strange name, but beautiful fabrics!
This was a 3 yard piece, & I've got enough left over for a matching purse or small handbag (ie. about 1/4 yard).
They've got a peacock design brocade which I have been lusting after for some time now, so after the success of this jacket, I might just have to get some!

But anyway, back to the jacket.
This time I made a straight 14 (when I tissue fit there was plenty of bust room, but strange things can happen when your fabric characteristics become involved, so there's always a bit of hope happening when I sew!!) and luckily it fits like a glove...
I'm REALLY happy with it, & it looks lovely with the New Look dress which it was made to co-ordinate with...
I think its likely I will make this jacket again too, as I really like it & think its a flattering style...

Anyway, some photos for you. so you can see for yourselves...

will have to get a better photo of me wearing it, but this gives you an idea...

Am wearing it over the dress.

(this is not an Erica B standard of photography, by a long shot!)

Front

Back

lining, I had run out of turquoise blue lining, so used royal blue instead (as that colour is in the design)

 inside collar detail

I may wear it unbuttoned at times...

 sleeve detail (fold up cuff)

love this collar, such a  nice finish & shape.

Happy Birthday to me!

Good morning!
I really should be getting ready for work, but its much more fun playing on the computer instead!
21 again today (I've lost count of which anniversary of my 21st it actually is tho!!)
just wanted to post a quick update on the jacket...
The lining body & sleeves have been assembled, just have to sew the sleeves into to body, then w're ready to put everything together.
Hoping to have it finished in the next few days, in & around working my last weekend of overtime this weekend.
Thanks for all the comments on my jacket & dress too!
We're going out for dinner in Brisbane, Morgan's Seafood Restaurant at Scarborough - yum!
Anyway, had better get ready for work.
Next post will be the finished jacket - see you then!

and after another long absence.....!

Hi there.
Well its been a while since I've added anything here... just as its been a while since I've sewn anything half decent.
I don't know where the time goes!
I have been keeping an eye on what other people have been making (& there have been some lovely creations too!) but just haven't had the time or inclination to make anything myself....
I have been working overtime a lot lately, so weekends have been pretty non-existent ( only one more weekend of OT to go - yay!) and I've been also been spending time where I can with my fella (altho that's not been so easy as he's over 1500km away {1564.6km to be exact, but who's counting??}). Things are going well there too, if anyone wants to know!

Well today I finally made something NICE!!!
Its my birthday this week & my fella wanted to take me out for dinner somewhere special, so I decided I needed a nice dress for the occasion.
I bought this beautiful silk dupion off Ebay awhile ago, in a gorgeous shot turquoise blue (turquoise blue warp threads (along the grain), & royal blue weft threads so its predominately turquoise blue).

Having lost a heap of weight this last 6 months, I decided to replace my black & white floral dress made from New Look 6644 (now discontinued, but 6002 could be used as a starting point if you want the same style).
Here's the pattern envelope:

:
I used the skirt off New Look 6023, as I wanted a straight skirt on this version. (previously I had replaced the gathered skirt with a flared skirt, as gathering around the waistline makes me look fat & frumpy.)
As the waist line was slightly lowered, I adjusted the skirt pattern to match.
The beauty of using New Look patterns is they are so interchangable! It fitted with the midriff peice perfectly.
I fully lined this dress & used an invisible zipper.
I kep the midriff pieces plain, as I didn't think it needed any more tizzing up.
But to be honest, I'd like to make another with the gathered midriff, as I think that would also look really nice.
The whole dress took about 4 hrs to make (not counting cutting out time) as I had a fair bit of hand sewing to do.... But style wise its actually very easy to make & looks great.
I'm happy with it, I think it turned out really nice, if I do say so!
Here's a few photos:

FRONT

BACK

CLOSE UP OF THE FRONT BODICE

ME (no hair & make-up done!)

SNEEK PEEK OF THE FABRIC FOR MY NEXT PROJECT

I will be making McCalls 6042, view B:

I plan to wear this over the dress (its a bit chilly to be going sleeveless at the moment!).
Ok I've managed to squeeze in a  bit of sewing this arvo, & have put together the outer jacket (minus collar).
Now I just have to do the lining then put it together.
Looking good!