Dawn and I have different shapes and I still wanted to try this jacket, figuring it would look cute in some pale gray satin I got from the garment district. I made a muslin, omitting the sleeves for time's sake. Stitched it, pressed it, put it on. Bleh. Tried folding up the hem to see if it would look better in a shorter version. Showed it to DD, who was sitting on the sofa watching reruns of "That 70s Show" (I rent space in our family room for my sewing studio). "That's really ugly, Mom," said DD. "Don't go any further with it."
Always obey teenagers who don't mince words: Open trash can, insert muslin. Pat self on back for not wasting good fabric on ugly design.
Bottom line with this BWOF design: Only attempt this with a print that will hide the vertical seams. Otherwise you'll look like the illustration below. Now don't say we didn't warn you.
3 hours ago
36 comments:
I had to laugh about the "That 70s Show" reruns. My eldest loves watching that show.
Good for you for catching a wadder at the muslin stage. I just finished a top that makes me look fat, hippy and pregnant (I'm none of the above). I had inklings as I was sewing it, but I soldiered on. I wish I hadn't wasted my time.
Yes, ALWAYS listen to those teenage comments. Especially when their fashion divas. A daughter is special in that she'll always tell you when something looks like sh*t ;) . What's even more special is when they tell you they actually like it!
And they're truthful and mean what they say. They don't worry about hurting a mother's feelings with these thoughts :) .
There ought to be a pattern stamp logo for pattern reviews, "Teenager Approved!" Similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
Nice you made a muslin before cutting anythings! Those teenager... my DD is only 3 but she allays comment and she is allays true ;-)
have you consider the jacket 102 in the same issue ? (it's on my list and I think it can turn nice, no ?)
Yikes! I agree the 02 issue had a lot of winners, and I even considered this one.
Teens, while sometimes considered mean, are dead on when they give you a quick, unedited opinion. When I taught high school and wore something new, they were my worst (and best) fashion critics. If it didn't pass with them, I knew it was wrong.
I'd love to see a photo of the gray muslin, if it can be retrieved from the trash. Perhaps you just need the clothes pins that they use in back in the photo shoots. :-)
My son will say, "that makes your butt look big" or in a tone of horror, "Mom NO!!!"
This service is very convenient when trying new patterns :)
hilarious :) Thanks for the warning.
You are so funny. Point duly noted :)
It's too bad too because I really like the lines of the jacket. That's what I was drawn to.
I was interested but not quite sold on that jacket. Glad I can learn from others! And i love the title of this post.
LOL. At least it was only a muslin. If your teenage dd hates it, absolutely listen they are honest to a fault, at least how we look!
Thanks for the heads up. I will avoid.
Crap! I still had hope for this pattern after Dawn trashed it, because I'm built differently than she is. However, I think you and I are of pretty similar shape, so this is disappointing.
despite all the warnings, I haven't completely given up. I think I'm still going to try a muslin and see what happens, because I wanted to try to use this for my next leather jacket. Maybe with some shaping, it could still work. Maybe.
I'd love to see your muslin.
Your post really made me giggle. I couldn't see the pear in the bikini either! lol Hooray for muslins!
Interesting. Yes, now that you point it out, it looks like it would be easy to alter as a maternity jacket. Thank goodness you did a muslin!
question unrelated to this post: I remember you saying that you used a fold-out table for your living room "studio space." Can I ask what brand/model it is? I'm considering changing up my sewing space, and I'm looking for options.
I was going to make this jacket and then remember that I am a pear shape and the diagonal seam would only accentuate them. If the diagonals were in the other direction narrow at the hip line and wider on the shoulder it would have been perfect.It would make my narrow shoulders wider and wider hips narrower. Thanks for letting us know , on the fit. :O)
I agree with "Snow" ... how about changing the pattern to flip the other way? It's only "time" right?
That's funny! Kids know how get to the very salient point, "looks bad, toss it." Too bad, on to the next project.
You have to respect a teen's honesty even if it hurts a bit. Good thing you didn't waste good fabric.
Not too long ago I tried on a dress for an event. Not wanting to buy/make a new one, I pulled a favorite out of my closet. I tried it on and was thrilled that I still loved it and IT STILL FIT. My son called me from his room and I ran in. He took one look (as an 18yearold) and said, "What the H*ll are you wearing? Did the 80's call you back?" I went shopping.
If the direction of the seams were reversed, wide at the top, narrowing at the bottom, the jacket would actually be slimming. That's an easy re-design.
Too bad it didn't work out, but great it was a muslin. That's why I love making a muslin first, they are so worth the time.
Thanks for the heads up on this one! I'm glad you didn't start out with fashion fabric!
I think you have to wear it the way they did in the photo shoot - open with a closer fitting top underneath
This entire post had me in "stitches" excuse the pun. Yes,some times a teenager can dispense wise, brief and curt words of wisdom. The color and type of fabric you intended to use does sound great. What about the BWOF 03-2009 #122 (sized down as this is plus) that would look great with your silver metallic! I love it but have given up fabric buying for Lent........yeh right
I saw the line drawing of that jacket on another site, and thought, "who the H*ll could ever look good in that!"
I'll probably see it made up by someone who will prove me wrong!
Pam ~Off The Cuff~
It is always good to have a second opinion, and some teenagers who are into fashion who will give you an honest opinion when friends will not.
I also wanted to say that I work in NYC and I found the information you gave on way to shop for fabric wonderful. I am beginning to frequent Paron Fabrics (particularly in the 50% section). Thanks for blogging.
Thanks for the humorous post and warning about the BWOF 02/09 jacket.I really liked that jacket. You had me taking a closer look at it. I now can see the "fat lines". I believe I'll cross that off my list - too many other great patterns in that issue.
Oh I have not laughed so hard in days! I haven't made a wadder in a while, so just like a fender bender I know I'm due for one any day now.
Thanks Lindsay, I was planning on making this but I don't need to look chubbier than I look already.
You know I saw this in the "line drawing" sections and thought the lines were interesting, but didn't like there wasn't any waist....this has EVERYTHING I like in a pattern, except the waist - I'm not sure what Burda was trying to do here, usually their stuff has some pretty good lines to it. I might try and mess with this a little to see what I get - got some spare time and a hankerin' to do something ambitious!
Now that's what I call an honest pattern review!
I know you've already gotten this, but I also nominated you (a little late) for the Sisterhood Award.
I love your daughter! *LOL*
Thanks for your nice comments - It came out well, and I will wear it lots - I want to wear it now (we had 80° Monday and tonight we're expecting snow!!!! ugh!) But that neckline is great on me and I really liked it. Believe it or not, the arm is cut very tight considering it's an off-the-shoulder-sleeve, so it worked out well - but couldn't have done it without your review through the pitfalls of this pattern. Still not sure what Burda was thinking with the original pattern.
It takes all kinds. Me, I love those lines and the swing-jacket vibe. I also wish that people weren't so terrified of "looking fat" -- I'd a thousand times rather look fat than look mean, or stupid, or ... Anyway. To each her own!
Post a Comment