True, the temps are now in the 70s and 80s, but several times already those of us here in Seattle have felt like the summer is over, and I think that's why I can't get this wool coat out of my head. So this weekend I made a muslin of Vogue 8436. I like the simplicity of this coat, plus there are no fussy notched lapels to deal with, so this should be a pretty quick project.
I just noticed that Rag & Bone has a coat that's eerily similar to View A (the red coat). It's called the Glenna coat and it's available at Neiman Marcus for $495.
My "real" coat will be in the purple (aubergine!) wool that I bought last week. For my muslin I'm using a checked cotton, a Goodwill purchase that's been in my stash for too long. It's almost a twill, I guess you could say, I think it's a little more stiff than my wool but a pretty good approximation. I didn't have enough of the checked fabric, so I made the second sleeve in a something that has a little more drape; I was interested to see how this might affect the look of the sleeve.
Well, I put on the jacket, and the first thought that popped into my mind was "CLOWN!". Seriously, the sleees are huge. It may not seem so in the pictures, but when I'm are wearing it, I just feel like I'm surrounded by sleeves. 
I feared this might be the case when I was tracing the pattern. For perspective, here's the sleeve pattern piece with the sleeve wrist band right below it. The sleeve pattern piece is more than 2 feet wide.
So, I've got a little redrafting to do in order to make this jacket wearable. I'll take away an inch or two from the sleeve length, and oh, I don't know, close to a foot from the sleeve width.
12 comments:
Yes they are. I should, I mean, I will, follow your good example one day.
God, those sleeves are pretty huge indeed!
I laughed a lot at your "surrounded by sleeves" comment, so funny!
The 'clown' comment is perfect. But, I think it's more the print (which I like a lot) than anything!
Good call on reducing the sleeves. I think the jacket will look great. What do you do with your muslins after you finish the real garment?
Stephanie - Usually I just throw away the muslin when I'm done with it. Some people say you should keep it, that way if you want to make the garment again and your measurements have changed then you already have a test garment for new adjustments. I'm more about saving space though and I don't need a bunch of archived muslins to deal with on top of everything else I *try* to keep organized.
If the fabric is something you kind of like, you could save the bigger pieces (the sleeves, in this case!) for smaller projects (zippered pouches, drink coasters, etc.)
To me the sleeves don't look *that* big - it's more the print that kind of "caught my eye" (but I love big sleeves...*g*).
Anyways, I really like the jacket style and the final outcome will definitely suit you well!
The sleeves on the pattern photo are quite a bit different than those on the fashion photo. Definitely huge sleeves. Perhaps using the sleeve from another pattern, one more like the fashion photo, and transferring the sleeve cap to that?
I saw a jacket very similar to this at Neiman Marcus yesterday for $475; the only difference was the sleeve treatment and a large button detail on the collar. Sraight wide sleeves (but not as wide as your pattern and no "poof" and wristbands). The overall effect was very stylish and elegant not at all clownish!
Linda M.
Wow, those sleeves are *so* much bigger than the photo--more similar to the drawings but still way bigger than you'd expect.
Can't wait to see it in the purple with lipo'd sleeves.
YOur review was timely as i just bought the pattern for myself. I definitely will be reducing the sleeves a WHOLE bunch. How did you set about that? I am not experienced with larger pattern modifications and can't decide whether to slash and compress or remove from the sides? Any help much appreciated
Margaret
Margaret - I answered your question about the redrafted sleeves in my October 3 post...
I actually like the poofiness of the sleeves in your muslin. I am making this jacket in a red wool crepe, and started getting the pattern ready tonight. I was amazed at the size of the sleeves as well. I am glad to see how they look made up.
Thanks for your trouble to post your PR Review, and your blog.
Betty F
Post a Comment