Hi! I'm no longer blogging here, but you're welcome to take a look around. A catalog of most of my sewing projects, plus new projects sewn since 11/2011, can be found at lindsaytsews.tumblr.com. Thanks for stopping by. —Lindsay T

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Finished: Vintage 1959 Jacket

My vintage jacket, finished at last
I just got back from spending the weekend in Baltimore, where Daughter Annie and I met for some shopping and dining (dinner with Cidell!), and I'm really tired. Please accept my apologies for this slipshod post!

Pattern: A 1959 McCall's pattern that I chose for my participation in the Vintage Sewalong. I had to lengthen it by 1.5 inches (I'm 5'7" and I think it was drafted for a more petite woman.)

Fabric: A poly wool lycra blend I found in the suiting section at Mood Fabrics. It looks contemporary and it has wonderful stretch. The poly lining has lycra in it too.

New tricks I learned with this jacket: Welt or slash pockets; mitered hem and sleeve vents. Both not as hard as you'd think they'd be.

Bottom line: A radical departure from my propensity for no-collar Chanel-style jackets with embellishments. The fit is great, and I plan on wearing it with high-waisted trousers, thankfully back in style. It took me forever to make, but I really like this jacket.

One thing I did not like about this pattern was the collar. It was notched rather than a traditional collar attached to a lapel. So I instead decided to call attention to this detail by adding a petersham ribbon embellishment.
I carried the petersham ribbon touch to the cuff, and I had buttonholes made at Jonathan.

Silver petersham ribbon edges the facing where it joins the lining.
A really bad shot of the back of the jacket. Darts instead of princess seams here work well with this stretchy fabric.
My dog with his toy interrupting the photo shoot. This shot is supposed to show you that I used a contrast lining fabric for the sleeves.

35 comments:

Lori said...

Wonderful jacket, great details and the lines of the jacket are so pretty. sounds like a fun weekend for you, Annie and Cidell.

Nancy K said...

It's great. The hard work was worth it and I bet you look fabulous in it.

wendy said...

those ribbon touches are beautiful. :) it came out really wonderful!

Irene said...

Lovely jacket. Love the touches of ribbon detail. (It's all in the details!)

A Sewn Wardrobe said...

Apology accepted, but you must post pics of you wearing it! It looks great on the dressform.

montanachic said...

Really classically beautiful. I love the angle of the pockets :)

mem said...

Well done ! It looks very elegant and I love the ribbon trim . Yes high waisted trousers are a blessing although the really high denim ones teamed with an orange and purple psychodelic T shirt were a bit much . ( I was looking through some old photos recently)
I have now started to blog largly inspired by you . So go see what you are responsable for !!!

Carolyn (cmarie12) said...

It's beautiful! Glad you were able to spend some quality time with Cidell and Annie.

MushyWear said...

Oh, I could see this styled so many different ways. Can't wait to see it with the high waisted trousers. I love the details you added to make the cuffs and collar stand out.

Vicki said...

It has a lovely vintage vibe to it. Great work.

Phyllis said...

Stunning! I think this definitely in your top 5.

cidell said...

I just made my first version of welt pockets with flaps this weekend too! I am debating not doing the mitered sleeve. Am feeling intimidated.

It was GREAT meeting Annie and getting to show you a little of my hometown since you've always been so gracious to me in NY!

ClaireOKC said...

These jackets are a pain, but you will wear the daylights out of them which will make you want to do them again and again. And believe it or not, repeating the process - even with the same pattern, can really improve your confidence about doing these things in the future.

Love the color too - should go great with everything you have.

Bunny said...

This will look wonderful with higher waisted pants. Hopefully we will get a pic of you modeling the entire outfit. I am so glad real pants are back. Your hard work really shows here.

gwensews said...

Fantastic jacket! I picture it dressing up a pair of jeans.

Karin said...

What a pretty jacket! So many special details- it must have been a lot of work to sew, but the results are fantastic. I particularly like collar/lapel. I keep hearing about high-waisted pants (and as a woman who has been pregnant a couple of times, I am looking foward to them!), but I haven't seen many patterns around, yet.

Tanya said...

Yes, definitely need a model shot when you're rested from your trip. Jacket looks great!

a little sewing said...

Love the cute details provided by the petersham ribbon.
I can see this with high-waisted pants. Glad you enjoyed Baltimore!

Cissie said...

Great jacket. Beautifully done (of course). Please post more closeup pictures so that we can see all of the wonderful touches!

Clio said...

Wow, looks great! Can't wait to see it being modeled.

Little Hunting Creek said...

What a pretty jacket! I espcially like the ribbon trim

Rosy said...

That sounds very fun trip, dinner with the daughter .. Yum. The jacket genius, all these details make the direrencias, original and personalized. Good job!

Capitol Sew and Sew said...

Love love love it!! Great details on the lapel and the arm vent! And the lining - it looks so expensive ;) - is it the Mood purchase?????

Thanks for the post!

Inkstain said...

Really gorgeous work!

Ann's Fashion Studio said...

Beautiful jacket. Love the details.

Gail said...

This jacket says a lot about classic styling doesn't it? A fifty two year pattern that is absolutely contemporary. Beautifully made as ever, you will always be the Queen of Coats.

Summerset said...

Beautiful and elegant. Just perfect.

Dana said...

great job!!

Elle said...

What a beautiful jacket, now I lust after that pattern. The pattern art would have not drawn me in, what made you make this out of the thousands available?

Eugenia said...

Beautiful jacket - your construction work on all those wonderful details looks superb. I love the style!

The Slapdash Sewist said...

Gorgeous! I love your ribbon details, how cute they are!

Sharon said...

I like how you added the ribbon details to highlight a feature you weren't too sure about...very creative. Sounds like you had a very fun weekend.

Handmade said...

Awesome jacket - you should be very proud! Love the dog shot!!!

SEWN said...

Since I saw this jacket in person, I know that it is indeed gorgeous. WEll done. I love the ribbon touches.

amber said...

Gorgeous! I especially like the ribbon details.