Vogue 1143, Finally finished

Time for some autumnal weather so I can wear this suit.  Yes, it is finally finished, taken out of the sewing room and put in the bedroom closet, so I know it is done.  Although I still need to work out what top to wear with it.  Ages ago I offered to sew a Vogue pattern selected by a blog reader and Ruta picked V1143.  I will put links to previous posts at the end of this one.

Judging by reactions of friends and family I would say it is a success but there is just something about it that is...fiddly. What does that mean? Well a suit that has a belt, and only looks good with the belt all done up, that is a bit fiddly to wear. The lapels are odd, they have the right structure but don't quite know where to go when worn, up or down. There is a lot of room in the upper arms which is part of the design but a bit too much for my size. I didn't choose the most fancy fabric, my fault there. It is a bit thin which works in the jacket's favor as it has a lot of layers (those sleeves, the double peplum) but for the pants the fabric is just a smidge too thin for my preference. So that is what I mean by fiddly. I also think this is one of those outfits that looks way better in real life than on either the dress form or standing at attention for the requisite photo. 

In fact I took photos on 2 separate days, because for the first one my pal Alice said it looked like I had no feet, the pants were too long and wide. In the photo above I have shortened them and taken in all over but they still look too wide to me so may have another go at that.

Here I am looking footless, in a shadow and the suit looks so much darker grey. Not the best choice of backlight. Also, unrelated to sewing, I am in that "decided to grow my hair out" but now "it looks like a bubble" phase.  As a lifelong short hairstyle person, periodically I get the urge to have longer hair, it usually lasts for about 6 months of torture and then I run screaming back to my hairdresser saying "pixie cut please".  Anyone else know the feeling?

A look at the front, where I made a design change, to keep the belt separate. The pattern would have you sew the belt on the jacket and just leave the front sections of about 4" unattached, but it just didn't feel right to do it that way. So I created a detached belt and added carriers. Can you believe I found this leather buckle in my old sewing box? I am a big saver of buckles, buttons and other trinkets and it is amazing how many times I find the right item in my stockpile.

Jacket back

The pants were made using a different Vogue pattern (one of those Claire Schaeffer patterns) which I used a few years ago with success although they were in a dark wool fabric  which tailored better.  Since I made these pants I remade the Sewaholic Thurlow trousers in denim and now I have a pants pattern I can turn to for all types of fabric. 

One more post to follow, some inner details on hems for sleeve plus lining. Plus a hidden pocket in the jacket. 

Audrey asked what type of interfacing I used on the jacket. Two types of fusible from Fashion Sewing Supply, Pro-Sheer Elegance on the jacket underlapel and jacket front, and then Pro-Tricot Deluxe on the lapel facing pieces. As a rule I put interfacing on both sides of any jacket lapel or facing pieces. All the Fashion Sewing Supply interfacings are fantastic and now they are all I use, plus they are an extremely good value and 60" wide.

Construction Notes on Vogue 1143, post number one

Construction Notes on Vogue 1143, post number two

and to see how I got here, the original post where I decided on the reader suggestion.

Keeping up with the family tradition of creating and crafting, my sister is now making holiday wreaths as our grandmother originally did. She has an Etsy shop, BettyAndJo, named after our grandmother Betty and her sister Jo (my first sewing teacher). Have a look and here is a coupon code for a 10% discount (BLOG10)  to use if you would like one for yourself. I have many memories of  collecting the tiny pine cones and I can still hear Nana telling us to save the pretty wrapping papers on Christmas morning. They work as a centerpiece or as a wall wreath.

Sewing projects in the works:  some new Thurlow trousers and more knit tops, I am becoming obsessed with them. 

Happy November sewing, Beth