Thanks to everyone who came out for the show! We had lots of visitors (despite the decidedly un-spring-like weather) and lots of fun. Joey tolerated the complete upheaval of our livingroom and took the opportunity of having bare floors to practice his new scooting skills. Best of all, he got a surprise visit from Grandpa on Saturday!
Now that the show is over I have a long list of projects I’m looking forward to working on.
But first I need to finish this jacket.
This jacket.
Ugh. I have remade the top flaps 3 separate times.
I have pulled out every line of topstitching at least once, often more.
I have second guessed every design decision, from the topstitching color, to the cut, to the placement of the buttons.
And I’m still not sure about it.
Problem #1: The left hand pocket flap is higher than the right-hand one.
Problem #2: Weird poofiness in the back. It’s not there in the lining so I can’t figure out where this is coming from.
Problem #3: Possibly looks like a fly-fishing vest?
What do think? Should I cut my losses and move on or power through?
Mary Nanna | 18-May-11 at 11:42 am | Permalink
Power on, it’s looking good – the pocket difference is barely noticeable – looks like you needed a petite alteration in the back length but I wouldn’t worry about it now – once you have a few more things on underneath it won’t matter and sleeves will make a big difference to the overall look of the garment. Stay calm and carry on!
Elizabeth | 18-May-11 at 11:54 am | Permalink
Keep plugging! i agree with Mary Nanna, the pocket difference is negligible and nothing a little posture change wouldn’t fix. Who doesn’t want to stand with one shoulder higher than the other all day long?
Also, do you think the poofiness in the back could be that the fabric stretched out while sewing? I think you’re too close to the project so you don’t have any objectivity now. I think this is definitely wearable.
Kay Y | 18-May-11 at 1:49 pm | Permalink
Please do power on. I agree totally that if there is a difference in height between those pocket flaps (honestly, I am having a hard time seeing it in the photos), nobody (really, not a single person) will notice. I had a jacket (RTW) once with very prominent pocket flaps. It took me quite a while to realize, after wearing it dozens of times, that they were really quite significantly not symmetrical. And I’m a picky sewer. (And I kept on wearing it too.)
Re the poofiness in the back, I am not sure if you are talking about the upper yoke or the area just above the waist. Re the former, it looks like this is not attached to the back and perhaps that it got stretched when topstitched. Can you steam it into submission? Would tacking it at CB to the jacket below (invisibly or with a button, perhaps) help? I think there is also a substantial likelihood this will be tamed once you install the sleeves. Re the latter, my suggestion would be to try shortening the back at the waist seam, maybe by .5″ or less, tapering to the original length at the side seams.
Re the “fly-fishing” look – well, it is sleeveless just now and it has pockets (and you are posed as if the big one just got away
). Once you install the sleeves and buttons etc. it will look like a military-inspired jacket you will be happy to wear.
Lucy | 19-May-11 at 3:47 am | Permalink
^What they said
Kyle | 22-May-11 at 6:27 am | Permalink
LOL about Kay’s comment that you are posed like the big one got away! I agree with everyone, iron/steam that yoke.
Kyle | 05-Jun-11 at 5:30 pm | Permalink
I wonder how it’s going, Kathy! I’m sending positive sewing vibes your way for your jacket!!
Carolyn | 09-Jun-11 at 4:48 am | Permalink
Power through, definitely! The pocket flap doesn’t look that skewiff, the difference could be a result of how you are standing? Is it a measurable difference? I think once the sleeves are in it will look more like a jacket and less like a fly-fishing vest.
I’m not sure about that “poofiness”. Is the fabric a wee bit stretchy? possibly it could have stretched out a bit while sewing it…