I’ve been meaning to blog this for a while, I made it over a month ago but got caught up in Me Made May and other projects. It’s the new pattern from Grainline, a slouchy cropped jacket made for fabric with a slight stretch. One of my new year’s resolutions was not to jump on every shiny new pattern that gets released, I’ve been so good. I think I lasted three days before I succumbed, it was Hila’s at Saturday Night stitch which finally pushed me over the edge. I had problems downloading the pattern, purely down to my computer playing silly buggers. I got in touch with Jen and she got back to me and sorted it out in less than half an hour, so impressed with her customer service.
I thought I’d start with a wearable muslin so bought a couple of metres of Ponte from my usual Ponte dealer. It was described as ‘Airforce Blue’ but I think it’s verging on ‘School uniform blue’! The PDF fitted together perfectly and was very quick to cut out. I made my usual Grainline adjustments; cutting a size 12, shortening the body by two inches and the sleeves by three inches. I used a metre and a half of fabric.
The instructions were excellent, the only problem I had was figuring out which way up the back facing went in. It was one of those moments where the more I think about things the more complex they get. I spent a good fifteen minutes, inverting it, holding it up to the bottom of the jacket before I finally committed, luckily it was right (and glaringly obvious!) I used my overlocker to sew the side and back seams and finish off the armholes, the rest was sewn on my normal machine. I cut two pieces of interfacing, one for the lapels and also one for the front part of the jacket. A couple of people had had problems with the jacket bagging out at the bottom front. Interfacing both parts has given both layers the same stability and seems to have helped.
I really enjoyed making this, it was one of those projects where I could just happily poddle along. I think it makes a big difference when things are drafted well and everything fits together perfectly. It’s definitely an ideal do in a day project.
I’m going to make a few changes to my next one, the fit is perfect around the shoulders but I think I need to grade up a size over the bust and waist. I’ll keep the original length, I was a little apprehensive about it being too long but I think taking those two inches out has left it a little too cropped. I’m stumbling a bit with the fabric for the next one though, ideally I’d like to try a stretch cotton sateen but the only fabric I have in my stash is sky blue with orange flowers! I have in my head the fabric I’m looking for, black or navy with delicate oriental flowers. I haven’t found it yet but I’ll keep searching. It’s highly likely that I’ll get distracted though and end up with giant multi coloured cabbage roses!
Just Sew Therapeutic 
It looks lovely. I’ll let you know if I spy any likely fabric on my internet trawls! How do you find your ponte wears? I’ve bought it twice from different shops and both times it’s pilled a lot after only a couple of washes.
It’s been a bit hit and miss with the Ponte, I’ve had a couple that have pilled, the blue Doris was the worst but the flowery Doris is fine. I don’t know if a more expensive one would wear better, I’ve never paid more than £5 a metre though. If you find a good source let me know!
thanks
This is a really lovely jacket. I have it on my to stitch list though finding the right fabric will be my challenge!
I’ve had difficulty finding the right fabric, I’ve got a few wovens which would be perfect but the pattern really needs a bit of stretch. I forgot to say in my post that I only used a metre and a half of fabric rather than the two the pattern suggests!
And it’s blue 🙂 love every version of this I’ve seen if this so far, yours included. I really need a Morris in my life…
It’s a really fun pattern to make you should give it a go!
It’s in my queue…
Looks great. Bet you wear it loads! Fingers crossed for you finding the perfect fabric.
It’s a good alternative to a cardigan and has had a fair bit of wear already, that’s why it looks a little crumpled in the pictures!
Oooh its really lovely! I think the colour is perfect!
Thank you, it’s quite a good colour, goes well with all the other blue things in my wardrobe!
I love it!! The blue is gorgeous and I think it fits you really well!
Thanks Heather, you should give it a go, it would look great on you!
What a perfect looking make! Love the idea of cropping it. Though you think its too cropped you look gorgeous in it! I love your dress style and have been enjoying your MMm IGs😃.
Thanks Hila, I’m quite short waisted so usually have to lop an inch or two off the length. It was your mustard Morris that sold me the pattern!
The more Morrises I see the more I want to skip over all my Summer sewing plans and make one. I haven’t found a suitable fabric yet, but I’ll keep looking. Your blue jacket looks great with your polka dotted tee and your clogs. A great, casual outfit!
Thanks Teri, I’m so pleased I made it, it’s really filled a gap in my wardrobe, a little bit smarter than wearing a cardigan all the time!
I downloaded this a couple if weeks ago as well but haven’t made a start yet! I also have some dark blue ponte that I got specially for it but I am worried it is a little bit too lightweight – did you use interfacing?
Louise
My Ponte was quite lightweight too. I used lightweight interfacing on the front facing and also on the front of the jacket (just where the facings are) as a couple of people had problems with the front bagging out. It seems to have worked ok although there’s a bit of a ripple on the bottom points. I also only used a metre and a half of fabric, think I’ll have to go back and edit the post as I’ve missed these out! 😊
That’s good to know – really looking forward to trying this – I haven’t made a jacket yet!
Ooh I love it! I’ve been eyeing this pattern for a few weeks, you may have pushed me a bit to actually buy it. I really like the way the jacket looks – I haven’t made a jacket yet and I’m a bit hesitant!
It’s a really enjoyable pattern to make, it’s very easy and goes together quickly, its a lot easier than sewing a dress in many ways!