We did it! I’m counting this very much as a team effort: team blogland! Well done everyone! 🙂 Not for the first time I was amazed by the support and advice from all of you out there in helping me to adjust this RTW jacket (see this post if you’re struggling to make sense of any of this) that was languishing in my wardrobe unloved because it was far too ‘boxy’ for my shape.
Above left is the before photo and above right is the after photo. As you can see a few adjustments made all the difference. After rereading all your suggestions kind readers, I researched fish-eye darts, unpicked the lining by quite a bit (probably more than I actually needed to) so that I could clearly see what I was doing and unpicked the side seams from under the arms downwards. I then trialled several placements of said darts on both front pieces on Betty. I was unsure why I needed to do the back as well, but the necessity of this soon became clear as I ended up with totally misaligned lengths for matching front and back back together.
I’m pleased with the darts that blended in, due to the busy print. The darts exposed on the plainer, light blue background are a little more distracting, but they work. And I’m presuming no one will notice them in the slightest in the ‘real’ world once I’m wearing it. After sewing the darts in, I took in each side seam by a half inch or so (lots of trying on in between all of these stages btw) and pressed carefully. This was the first time I’d had chance to use my new sewing ham, which made pressing the darts far easier to navigate. I then turned the whole jacket inside out to resew the lining side seams back together, which was a little fiddly but looked fine once I’d turned the whole thing back the right way round, phew! Lastly, I hand stitched the lining back to the bottom of the ‘waist’. My relationship with handsewing is much improved thanks to the joy that is sewing wax! If you don’t have any yet, it makes the world of difference and the air a lot less blue! I’m not sure you could even tell I’d been there rummaging around in the innards so I must be getting better!
I’ll leave you with another before and after couple of photos. Dear Lord that selfie-stick one really is bad! 😉 I’m so pleased with this thank you everyone 🙂 I’m planning on wearing it for the first, teaching day back at school. Any other teachers find it more pleasant heading back to school with a new jacket or a nice bit of pristine stationery or two? And as a reward for persevering with this and finishing off my daughter’s dress, I’m all set to start a shiny, new sewing project from scratch, by far my favourite projects of all…
Again many thanks to everyone who added suggestions, or just wished me luck and encouragement. All very much appreciated 🙂
Teresa x
navybluethreads 
You should be pleased; it looks brilliant!!! A great addition to your wardrobe!
Thanks Lucie, relieved it worked after everyone taking the time to advise, would have felt terribly guilty not to ‘report back’ with a success. Phew!
Your alteration is a triumph and deserves a treat 😃 You look fabulous Theresa!
Too kind, thanks Hila 🙂 Really pleased I could make it work and now know what fish-eye darts are to boot!
Whoop whoop! Huge well done! It looks fab! I bet it was hard getting round to making the first cut and starting it,, but so so worth it! 😍
Thanks Ali! Opening it up was fine, but yep, that first stitch was a scary one… Had to convince myself there was nothing ventured, nothing gained as it had sat in my wardrobe unworn for far too long! Phew was my main thought after I tried the final version back on 😉
Wow! That really has improved it. Looks fab. Well done you and team blogland!
Thank you! To use a very Northern phrase I’m chuffed to bits with it! 🙂
And so you should be 🙂
Soooo much better and well worth the time and effort spent as it looks like you will get a lot of wear out of it:)
And almost makes me look forward to going back to school, almost… 😉
Fabulous! It takes courage to attack something that’s already been completed (especially by someone else!). It looks great on you.
Thank you and hello again! 🙂 Not something I would have tackled without some very supportive nudges….
Wow it looks amazing. So glad you adjusted it and it isn’t at the back of your wardrobe, because it looks fab on you! Well done!!
Thanks Beth! Definitely worth the effort and I feel justified for buying it in the first place now. Was pretty annoyed with myself when it was just sat there forlornly…
This is amazing! Such a great shape now 🙂 It’s great when you can salvage a garment – I just never have the inclination!
I must admit, I really haven’t in the past. But I’ve been so good lately, that I had to justify buying it. I guess my skills have improved too, a year ago this would have been far too daunting to even consider 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 💕 You definitely deserve a reward, and many delightful wearings! 🍰
I’m sure it will become a favourite now in my work wardrobe, a cheery print for the darker days ahead 🙂
This is gorgeous! It was pretty before, but certainly too big and boxy. Good for you, forging ahead like and coming up a winner! What a great feeling to take to the first day of school. 🙂
Thank you! Glad my skills are getting better. And heading back to school will be slightly more bearable…
What an improvement! Always nice to start a new term with some new wardrobe additions! Good luck with the shiny new project – they’re my favourite type of project too!
Thank you! I’m glad the difference is clear in the photos. In real life it’s made such a difference 🙂
Wow Teresa you have done a great job – I wouldn’t have thought that altering the fit could affect the overall look so much. It looks fantastic on you 🙂
Very kind, thank you! I was really frustrated that I’d bought something that just wasn’t getting worn, so it was worth having a go. Impressed myself that it turned out so wearable 🙂
Great work, it looks fabulous now!
Thank you, well worth t he effort 🙂
Well done, it looks so much better on you now! I have a jacket that is a little big but I may have a go at taking it in now…
Was I got over my trepidation it really wasn’t too bad. Guessing if it’s just a little too big you might be able to just take in the side seams… It was the boxy shape that necessitated the darts I think. Good luck!
I’m thinking side seams and a few inches of the sleeve length (gulp!) I hope it turns out as lovely as yours!
Wow! check out how your skills have progressed. I’d be so proud . You look lovely in it.
Oh, thank you! It doesn’t always work, but this one’s a winner 🙂
You did such a great job with the alteration! It fits you so well. It’s such a pretty jacket– hooray that you can wear it and feel great in it now!
Thank you! I’m still a little amazed that it worked. Not sure I would have managed it without everyone’s encouragement 🙂
BEAUTIFUL Fabric! Blessings, Mtetar
Thank you! I was really pleased with how this turned out, worth the effort 🙂
You’re most welcome, Mtetar