French Jacket – Perfect Business Wardrobe Essential

One of my best pieces in the wardrobe is my French jacket.

It is perfect when traveling for business as it is easy to transform from casual to business look.

The next French Jacket?! Why not

While waiting for mojo to start working on my buttonholes in the French Jacket I decided to refresh my other muslin for the next one.

This old picture reminded me that I still have to shorten the sleeves.

By Red Point Tailor

 

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French Jacket – Working on Trim

The life is full of surprises and entertains us in many different – often unexpected – ways.

The heavy storm we had in the Netherlands last days – with very heavy wind and rain – has caused some issues at home. It is really so exciting finding out – when going to bed – that your bed is full of water (we had in the end the dreamed water-bed) and inside is raining almost the same as outside. So instead of making a buttonholes I was dealing with water, insurance and trying to find company to fix the roof. All still in progress. Fortunately it stopped raining.

There was small bright point in this all – the important element of my French Jacket has arrived – a chain. Nice, heavy – perfect to give a needed shape to the jacket.

I just did not have energy to pick up on the buttonholes. As I still have to figure out what kind of trim I want to use it was perfect way of keeping me busy.
I started with bias fringe trim. I like the fringe trims – but not on my garments. I prefer simpler things. I was thinking of buying a trim but I could not find anything I like. Maybe I will visit one more shop.

The pattern of the fabric gave me an idea of waving a self-made silk trim through the fabric. I came out with two versions:

It is very minimal but I like it. I like the single line better. I still have to find out how it will go on bias parts (sleeves).

Another option is using the selvage of the fabric with silk string. I have to try this one as well.

Let’s try to make a nice silk string. I could use pieces/threads from other fabric in different shades of blue… hmmm.

Meanwhile I picked up few more patterns to add to my RPT Couture Etsy shop. Anything for you? Just keep an eye on the shop – it will be listed soon.

By Red Point Tailor

 

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Till 31 December 2015 – FREE SHIPPING. Insert code – ENJOY

Progress on Dark Blue French Jacket

Having my business trip to Brussels cancelled I had a weekend for my French jacket.

First, let’s meet my new help … the Bernina walking foot.

   

During the week, after work, I have managed to cut off all lining pattern pieces from the silk Charmeuse. I still have piece left either for the next jacket or top.

After managing few household ‘issues’ the rest of the weekend was mostly preparation for and quilting of the pattern pieces.

  

Now having all quilted the next step is making of buttonholes – all 9 of them, by hand. I love it!

I will have some time to think about a trim…

 

By Red Point Tailor

 

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Till 31 December 2015 – FREE SHIPPING. Insert code – ENJOY

Weekend with my French Jacket

It was high time to tackle my fabric stash and start working on my new French Jacket.

Recently during the fabric market I have bough wool fabric in my favourite colour – dark blue.

Together with Silk Charmeuse – silk I have bought via website the HelloSilk (you find more information here) will make perfect French Jacket – needed addition to my wardrobe.

First I have tried on my muslin to check what should be adjusted. It still fit well. I took the paper pattern pieces and iron them gently… even gently ironing make them difficult to use.

I decided to transfer them to heavy cotton muslin fabric.

When all was ready the real wok started. I really enjoy this process. It will be very slow sewing project.

At this moment the pattern pieces are traced, cut off and ready to be assembled.

I really can’t wait to wear this one and start working on the next one.

These are fabrics for the next French Jackets:

This one will be for jacket and skirt.

 

Meanwhile I am adding more and more patterns to my RPTCouture Etsy shop. I just want others to enjoy self-made garments .

Till 31 December 2015 – FREE SHIPPING. Insert code – ENJOY

 

By Red Point Tailor

 

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Marfy Jacket 3350 – fabrics

While searching my fabric stash for a fabric I could use to make the jacket based on  Marfy 3350 pattern I came across these two ones.

The blue/white fabric is loose woven wool bland.

This brownish one is linen bland. It is more stiff than the above one.

Looking at the qualities and properties of both fabrics I think I will go for the blue/white one. It is softer and looking at my wardrobe – I have much more combination possibilities.

But everything depends on the amount of fabric – I have to check if I have enough of this blue/white fabric to make it the way I want.

The brownish one will become either a dress or jacket/skirt combination.

Meanwhile the book Couture Sewing: The Couture Skirt: more sewing secrets from a Chanel collector by Claire Shaeffer has arrived.  It went so fast!

Something is telling me that this will be my next project … soon.

Which one would you advice?

By Red Point Tailor

 

Another couture challenge

While waiting for Couture Sewing: The Couture Skirt: more sewing secrets from a Chanel collector by Claire Shaeffer (it should arrived within few days!)

and watching the Great British Sewing Bee (love it!) …

I decided to give the pants a break and work on my new couture challenge – Jacket by Marfy 3350. It is a short semi-fitted jacket with 3/4 sleeves that form a square yoke. I will try to make it from a boucle or tweed. I am sure I can find something in my fabric stash.

First steps towards the next French jacket

This time I make my French jacket based on the new Claire Shaeffer’s Vogue pattern -V8991 (Misses’/Misses’ Petite Jacket).

Few days ago I have traced the pattern and made muslin.

Being busy with the Vogue V2888 dress I have just in between tested the muslin.

Vintage Vogue V1023 – checked!

I have finished the Vogue Jacket V1023 before I went to my mother and I was planning to wear it. However while putting in on Wednesday early morning I have noticed something was wrong. Well, I tuned the lining in one of the sleeves – a little. Oooops!

First thing I have done the next day being back home – I have fixed the sleeve and now I am ready for warmer weather.

Except making the sleeves 3 cm longer the rest of the pattern is unchanged.
I will take pictures wearing it but first short presentation on my dress form.

Expected Unexpected Weekend in Poland

On Wednesday I went to my mother as she was schedule to have a surgery on Thursday. She was admitted to a hospital however she was send home few hours later. Well, it appeared she was taking medicines which made impossible to provide surgery – good communication and coordination between doctors.

Being almost at my mother place – when I heard this news – I decided to spend few days with her. It was closer to my mother then going back home.

I was only a little sorry I did not take with me the jacket I started to work on.

Next week on Wednesday I will go again to Poland.

By Red Point Tailor