After avoiding anything difficult since the jeans fiasco, it’s time to make a start on jackets 🙂 I already have several patterns that have come free over the years, but I’m struggling to decide which one to start with first so I thought I’d moot it with you lovely readers…
The first two are by far my favourites. I’m easily swayed by the cover images, although I’m slowly getting better at spotting the potential in more unassuming ones. The first one by Simplicity made up in a lace or eyelet fabric is beautiful and totally what I’d be drawn to in the shops. I love the floral illustration in the second New Look one (top right on envelope cover): the Summery, light-weight nature and flattering peplum style of this could be my version of all those lovely, floaty kimonos everyone was wearing last year (but far too loose a style for me in the original form, much though I admired them on everyone else). However both of these look a little more advanced for now, but maybe once I’ve got a couple of attempts at the second lot under my belt?
The images in the second group are all quite similar, although the Cynthia Rowley one possibly looks a little too boxy for my shape. So I’m thinking that it’s going to be either the New Look one, with flattering princess-style seams in the slightly longer version or Simple Sew’s Notch Collar Jacket which has flattering darts at the bust and pretty pockets. I have two lots of lovely tweed/ wool fabric (in navy blue of course) to use for these, but which one first?
If any of you have sewn up any of these styles, it would great if you could leave a link in the comments below to help me make my mind up. Any thoughts or suggestions from more seasoned jacket-makers?
Thanks,
Teresa
X.
navybluethreads 
I think anything you make would look great, but I think the simple sew one looks really pretty!
Thanks Abigail, glad you have faith in me. I’ve been avoiding anything too tricky for a while… That one certainly has the prettiest pockets 🙂
I haven’t sewn any of these but the New Look appeals. Is your tweed chunky or smooth?
Good question, one’s thicker (more like a buckle wool) and the other one is somewhere in the middle (fairly cheap, so mixed with something I suspect and with a bit of sparkle…
If my experiene with boucle is anything to go like I would recommend you start with the other fabric. I have found lofty boucle to be really temperamental plus it frays like hell. On the other hand, if you do use it, your new Swear Word Policy might come in handy…
Ha! 🙂 Going to take this project slowly, but sure they’ll be a few moments along the way requiring some venting…
I like the notch one from simple sews, but it depends what you’ll be wearing it with, but then I suppose a good jacket should go with owt. I mean everything’ 😀
🙂 That one’s labelled as an adventurous beginner, which sounds about right. I was thinking with jeans (but possibly for work too) so with ‘owt I guess 😉
Pretty patterns! I like the Simple Sew one, the collar looks very elegant:-)
Thanks, that one seems to be getting lots of votes 🙂
Erm….no, sorry, I can’t decide either! Whichever one has the easiest instructions?
🙂 You read my mind!
I’d go for one with princess seams as your first jacket as they’re much easier to adjust the fit. Whichever you choose enjoy the process!
Useful to know, thank you! I presume they’d be quite flattering on too…
Exactly!
Out of all those I only have the simplicity one and like you I like the idea of making it up in lace or eyelet…just never got round to it! I would say if it’s your first jacket avoid anything with notch anything unless your fairly confident with the precision of your sewing. If it was me I would say the simplicity or new look because that has princess seams and so it would be easier for you to adjust. I would also say go for something lined: even though it seems like more work I think it’s easier to cope with than finishing the seams.
Sound advice thanks 🙂 I think a lining is a must for both of the fabrics I have in mind too, so that definitely sounds like a plan.
Just in awe at the thought of jackets
I’m kind of hoping they’ll be a lot easier to fit than trousers at least. And a lining can hide a lot of mess… 🙂
I think I have 3 of these patterns but haven’t sewn any of them up to be able to advise you I’m afraid – but I’m really looking forward to seeing which you choose and how it turns out. I’m always in search of the ultimate jacket pattern to wear with dresses to work!
Thanks, funny how we all have the same free patterns 🙂 Be great to actually use a couple of these. Might have to try more than one…
I’m sure you could make any of them! but a collar less jacket with a bagged lining would be easy for you 🙂
Thanks for the vote of confidence Trisha. I’ve read a few posts on bagged linings, so will look back on them for guidance 🙂
I’m about to try my first jacket too (the one with simplicity 1419). I do like that new look one, and the simple sew one ;o)
Oh, good a partner in crime 😉
I think the New Look might suit you, but haven’t made any of them, so can’t speak about that bit. Have you tried a general search for each pattern, to see what other bloggers have to say about them? That’s what I do sometimes… hope that helps.
Thanks Del. good idea 🙂
I also think that the New Look one would look great on you. My second favourite is the Simplicity one, although the contrast waistband might be a lot more fiddly to do than it looks. I’m not too sure about the Simple sew one. It looks nice on the model, but the technical drawing looks very boxy, so I wonder if they haven’t created a misleading impression with the model drawing.
Thanks Chris and good point re: the Simple Sew one. Think it’s a popular one over here as it came free with one of the more popular magazines, will do a Google search to see what comes up 🙂
I’m totally with you – the New Look one in the first photo will suit your hourglass figure perfectly. And a floral print will make it ‘wow’!
It’s lovely that one, isn’t it? Perfect for warmer times ahead, fingers crossed… Hope you had beautiful weather over the weekend where you are too. Makes such a difference when you can get out and about more 🙂
We did – and double figures temperature, too! Made the most of it and walked a lot:)
I think there was a recent review of the Simple Sew one on This Blog Is Not For You if that helps?
Great, not heard of that. Will take a look thank you! 🙂
I vote for the New Look one in the first picture, it’s a very flattering style and you can wear it with formal or casual. From the other group, I’d probably go with the simple sew. I’ve made the previous one they had three times so far and although it doesn’t have the notch collar jacket it looks pretty similar, so I imagine it will not be hard to sew.
You know I thought I had that one too, but couldn’t put my hands on it! Must look again. The ones in that first image are definitely something to aim for, but need to warm up on something simpler first…
Well if you have that first one, definitely start with that, I think you will enjoy the process as well as it’s very easy and it makes a very cute jacket.
Lots of nice looking patterns. I like to start with the simplier “boxy” ones, not the princess seamed ones. That way I can think of them as shirts (which you have made).
Thanks Linda, a couple of them are labelled as beginners ones, so will be cutting one out this weekend 🙂
For my first jacket I was advised not to go for a notched collar, to choose princess seams to make it easier to fit and to line it. Like everyone else appears to, I have these patterns too (they’re not all in my size though) and looked through them for a jacket for the wedding. I was attracted to the Simple Sew one but a little wary of it because of one of their skirts on a magazine cover and that it’s a diagram.
Thank you. Haven’t had chance to google them yet (usual crazy busy end of term) but will do some research before plumping for one over the weekend. The princess seam one seems to be getting lots of votes, because of easier fitting as you say. I like the fact it has a matching dress too, I might be able to stretch my fabric to both 🙂
Late to the post but ditto whats been said about princess line jacket. I have that pattern too so maybe my bias is in wanting to see that one made up😁. Though I think which ever you make it will be gorgeous. X
🙂 It all helps and I’m hoping to cut this out over the weekend, so not too late at all.
Any of these jackets would be lovely, but my favorite for you is the Simple Sew. The neckline is so unusual and those pockets are just adorable. I can see it in a softer wool (navy of course 😉 ). Can’t wait to see which you choose and why, and see it all made up!
It has lovely features, doesn’t it? I may just have some navy material to hand… 😉
Have you looked at sewing.patternreview.com?
Not yet, but will do. Thank you!