Vogue 7975: the Linton Tweed Chanel-style Jacket

Last time we had the skirt and top, this time the jacket.  

This is my second version of Vogue 7975.  I really like this pattern.  It's pretty straightforward, and because I made version C, the edge to edge jacket I didn't have to worry about doing a full-bust adjustment (I am a C cup and Vogue is designed for a B cup).  I cut my usual size 14 with a 5/8" narrow adjustment to the shoulders and raised the waist by 1", but these are the only changes I needed.

 
I love the fabric, which is Linton Tweed (yes the original Chanel fabric).  Unfortunately this particular design appears to be sold out, but they have many, many other great choices.  Linton Tweed is based in Carlisle, only 1 hour from where I live, and I bought this on a visit to their shop with my sewing buddy Gary.  This fabric goes beautifully with black, taupe, duck-egg blue and dusky pink. 

Most Linton Tweeds are have a rather loose weave which means I interlined all the pieced with polycotton, but because I wanted a fairly soft look, I only interfaced the facings.  It is a little challenging getting the seams overlocked before they fray too much.

I am exceptionally pleased with the pattern matching.  I took a long time cutting out (and single layers) and then did a bit of unpicking to try and get the best possible effect.

The only tiny slip up was on the neck edge, where you can just see a little difference at the front neck edge.

Stripes continuing into the sleeves. I love the two piece sleeves, much more comfortable, though a challenge to match stripes!

 The lining is a sort of bremsilk, which feels lovely, but was a bit thinner than I would have liked, so you can see the jacket seams through it.   I catch-stitched all the seams to the polycotton to make sure the seams stay nice and flat.

I would definitely recommend this pattern.  It gives a nice easy to wear jacket, and the lack of collar and button-holes make it a good choice for a first jacket.  I would also recommend some Linton tweed for the fabric.  In fact Gary and I went to the factory shop again this weekend and this time I bought some black to make myself a little black Chanel jacket (this time with buttons and I will be following tailoring techniques). 

This weekend I am off to Rome with Dan and Gemma, so hopefully my next post will have a few nice Italian fabrics to show!

GBSB - it's couture week! Vogue 7975

So the final is over and I was sorry that Chinelo didn't win, I think that was down to the tie!   I've been making a Chanel-style jacket (no, not in one day!).  I bought the fabric as a end of roll and it seemed destined to be a Chanel jacket, so enter Vogue 7975.

Now I'm not suggesting this is couture, but I'm pretty pleased and there were a lot of details which the GBSB might have called couture.  The fabric was extremely open weaved, so I had it interline the whole thing with polycotton.

 
I made matching shoulder pads.  I much prefer the hand-made to shop-bought ones as they are softer and more natural.

I was pretty pleased with the pattern matching-up, which I really did spend time on.  The princes seams match and the most important lines on the sleeve.

..... and on the back ....



My favourite bit is probably the lining!  I've one from thinking that lining should be as cheap as chips to a convert for something gorgeous.  My lining is silk (albeit the wrong side, the right was a very bright acid green).  The sleeve heads were sewn by hand.

I just love the contrast with the fabric!


The hem is slip stitched and you leave a sort of overhang to give ease.

I discovered how to use the right foot for overstitching .... with a guide ... what a revelation.

 
... and pretty even top-stitching.

It didn't all go well.  I struggled with the pockets and in the end decided to leave them off.  I've never actually managed to make pockets on anything!

Vogue 7975 was a good pattern.  I hardly made any changes cutting my usual size 14.   Apart from fitting the sleeve with a bigger allowance because the shoulder was a little wide I didn't make any other changes.  The instructions were clear  and logical. I also had plenty of help from Bronte who checked the measurements frequently.

I've been enjoying a few days off and the weather today was fabulous and its the first time this year I've been in the garden.

 
You can see by Jessie's smile what she thought.

Meg prefers the shade.

I'm turning into a bit of a serial project starter.  Last week I showed you two jumpers I have started and this week, I'm afraid there is another.  This will be a lovely light weight sweater and that's my excuse for starting it.  I can see it with View C Zinnia skirt made from chiffon, either pale lilac or light grey.  What do you think?