Sunday, October 12, 2014

Vogue 8932 - Made in Blueberry Fleece


Hi! First, i'm getting over a throat bug and the sinus irritation and dehydration is showing on my squinty, frazzled features. Please ignore my expression, i'm actually quite thrilled with this nice jacket pattern from Vogue and am on the lookout for fabric to make the next version.

I've been fairly productive sewing-wise the last couple of months, making a few warm pieces for the upcoming cooler seasons. Unfortunately for 'wear it now!' me, we've been having nice hot days (85-90F+). Ah well, i will be well prepared when things cool down and i am sure i will enjoy this new sensation.



A couple of members over at the Stitcher's Guild forum hoped i would post some pictures of this jacket when i mentioned how much i liked it, so i thought TDE readers may appreciate taking a look at them as well. I find pictures and reviews of patterns so very helpful in my own sewing that i feel an obligation to do so myself, though i fall short of this ideal.  I pretty much made this pattern up as printed, though i did take in the side seams at the waist and hip. I also sliced in a bit of an extra curve under the bust on the side front pattern seam which abuts the center front pattern piece. I also removed some of the length from the points at the front hem - i just took off about 2" from the 'point' and tapered back up to the side seams so that the hem hits me at a more flattering area.

the flash over-exposed this picture but it shows the piecing and stitching nicely so i include it
Other than that i just knocked it out. The whole garment was sewn by hand with topstitching thread (machine is on the fritz) which accounts for the rippling on the center back pattern piece (i didn't do a great job of controlling the thread tension).  The effect doesn't bother me, in fact it seems to highlight the dramatic piecing so i let it be. This is a lighter weight fleece as well, which i believe also contributed to that rippling, so bear this in mind if you want to make this one up and want to avoid a similar outcome (suggestions: choose a heavier weight, more stable fabric; interface for stability; make up samples to check your thread tension prior to construction).


This fleecey-with-some-style will be useful on it's own when we start getting foggy days, and i'm even happier about the idea of a stylish, easy to mix and match, practical and comfortable jacket pattern to make up for fall and winter.  The collar keeps my neck warm, looks good closed as well as worn open.

I am so wanting to finish up with some witty, edgy statement - but mucous-making-virii have dissolved my brain!!! Instead i'll sign off with a Happy Autumn. Whatever you wear, wear it with conviction!

9 comments:

  1. Sorry you've been sick - hope you feel healthy any second now. Gorgeous jacket, I love the collar/lapel. xox

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  2. What a fabulous interpretation of the jacket. It looks great in fleece and with the contrast hand topstitching.

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  3. Really cute, Stephanie! I like the contrast collar and the topstitching really highlights all of the seaming! Feel better!

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  4. Hi Patti! you know this style would be really nice on you, the collar would who off your elegant neck and hair. You just look better and better all the time - kinda spooky, but hey it's october ;)

    Thank you kbenco! this is one of those patterns i just loved more as i constructed and wore it. So great when that happens!

    Hey S! Thank you - it was a case where necessity added to aesthetics. The front seaming makes it much easier to alter for various figures as well.

    Happy Day! steph

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  5. Wow Steph!! What a great jacket! And what a smarty pants to make it w/fleece. And how cool is it to sew it by hand w/contrasting thread? It's mega cool.
    Begone all invaders of sinuses. Begone. Out of there now!
    Claire

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  6. I hate sinus infections above all else glad to hear youre on the mend. The jacket is fab and the fit is great on you . I do have a question, what is Burberry fleece? I never 'heard of that type before OR is that just the color of the fleece. Never the less I love the top-stitching it really adds a nice touch.

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  7. Yo Claire! "... And how cool is it to sew it by hand w/contrasting thread? It's mega cool." haha, the coolness of desperations :) you are too kind, dear lady. And your sinus-clearing magick worked!

    you got me thinking, so i double-checked the fabric recs: "Stretch Leather or Suede, Ponte Knit, Boiled Wool." and see that fleece is not listed. But usually i think anything that could be made in boiled wool would stand a good chance of working up well in fleece. IANAnExpert, though.

    Hi Adrienne! yes, i was very happy that i didn't develop a bacterial sinus infection out of this bug - for years i was so immunosuppressed it was pretty much a given. Yay for smarter immunity!

    you know our figures aren't that different; if you're keen on the look of this one you should give it a whirl some time. yep, 'blueberry' is just the color of the fleece. It's like a really nice ballpoint pen ink blue, i got it as an end cut from Marcy Tilton. Lord that woman has a great eye for fabric!

    Happy Day Women! always so nice to hear from you and to discuss important matters of the day! steph

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  8. You have a real knack for fitting! Your garments always look so perfectly fit on you. This jacket is terrific. You sewing it by hand? Wow. Love the snaps, too. Perfect!

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  9. I can see with all the pieces that sewing by hand wouldn't be too intimidating. Still, if you'd only entitled the blog post "I sewed the whole jacket by hand" you'd have about a million hits by now. :D

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