Out With The Old in With The New Denim Jeans Refashion.

I am a keeper. I keep things that should be thrown out because the minute I do, I discover I need it. I was recently clearing out my closet and came across a few pair of jeans for the donate pile.

Before giving them away, I remembered that I wanted to make a pieced jacket using Vogue 8483.

This jacket has a lovely angled neckline, interesting seam lines, and offset buttons. I like those elements and was drawn to this pattern because of those features. I rarely make muslins, I know, I know. I am a bit lazy in that regard, but I also use my custom dress form to check fit during construction. For this unusual style garment, I thought a muslin was a good idea.

First, I cut the middle seam open.

Then, after ironing :) I cut the pattern pieces out using Tetris like placement.

Here is the completed jacket and review of the pattern.

Worn with my African  Inspired Maxi Skirt.

Pattern Description: Unlined, above hip or above knee length jacket has front extending to collar, princess seams, raglan sleeves in two lengths and asymmetrical closing with buttons and purchased cord for loops, stitched hems and topstitch trim. I made the short sleeve version.

Pattern Sizing: B5(8-10-12-14-16), GG(18-20-22-24) I made size 10, no adjustments. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, the shape is the same, but my "fabric" added additional seam lines.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the different lines on the sleeve and the collar. I like the asymmetry of the front and button placement. I like that you can wear it buttoned up 

for one look and 

open for another.
I thought the collar would be more dramatic than it is. I have a thing for dramatic collars if you remember my Dress shirt refashion.

Fabric Used: Denim jeans repurposed for this jacket.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I used a contrast menswear fabric for the facing. I did not want to make loops, so I repurposed an elastic hair tie cut in three lengths. It is a densely covered elastic that is strong enough to be secured over my large button.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I made this as a muslin with the plan to remake it.  I did not think I would make it again. I prefer a tapered waist that gives more shape. It may be the weight of the denim, but I think it is boxy at the hip and I do not love that. Additionally, the curve of the sleeve is a bit raised and I do not like that. I think my denim is responsible for my drape issues. 

I thought I was done with it, but then I posted it on Pattern Review and got a renewed perspective on it. The lovely folks on PR were so kind on that review. I worn it to church today and a fan of it bought it right off my back! I guess I will have to make another. Hubby just gave me a pair of black jeans he is done with, so I am set for fabric :)

Conclusion: I thought this was a nice pattern and good test for repurposing jeans. I am pleased with this version. It is a nice twist on a jean jacket and I am sure to get much use from the other one I have to make for myself.

High Waist Skater Girl Skirt by Special Request.

I recently had a custom order to make a skirt that was inspired by my African Print Maxi Skirt. My customer wanted a skater length skirt, but with a wide removable belt. She wanted  the option to have it worn belted to give a high-waist look. The trick with this project was that she lives states away and I had to make it based on her self reported measurements. I have heard it said, "Never lie to your seamstress about your size of you doctor about your symptoms". Luckily, she reported her measurements accurately and I got to work.

She choose a cotton tropical print fabric from choices from my stash. I used Mccalls 5631 view "C" and omitted the border.

Here are photos of the completed skirt on my custom dress form and on the owner!

Un-belted Skirt

High Waist belted.

Belted Back

Worn by my happy customer.

Here is a review of the pattern:

Pattern Description: Pattern Description: Flared mid-knee skirts have self or contrast yoke, contour waistline, side zipper.

Pattern Sizing: 6-20

Did it look like the photo envelope once you were done sewing with it? I think it does

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the fullness of the skirt. It is made using pleats first and gathers after. I disliked the sizing on this one, I found it ran small. My customer is a size 4 RTW and based on the measurements, needed to cut the 12.

Fabric Used: A cotton print from my stash.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: This was a custom order that was inspired by my African Print Maxi Skirt.. She wanted a skater length skirt, but with a belt. I added a 5 foot long belt, so it could be worn to give a high-waist look.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I have no plans to make it again, but I am not opposed to it. Because of the sizing issue, I hesitate to recommend this one.

Conclusion: My customer loved it! She said it is perfect for Salsa dancing. She liked the removable belt and fullness of the skirt. I think she looks great in it. I am very proud of the fit considering all communication was virtual. She is a fit size 4, so it would have been hard to mess this up.

African Inspired Full Maxi Skirt.

I love Pinterest for always providing me with inspiration for my sewing studio, kitchen and home. Some of my boards have hundreds of pins of things I like and plan to create. Every time I log on, my dream pins mock me and call me a failure for my lack of execution. I grew tired of the lies my "KNOCK it off" board told me this week and decided to knock off a skirt I pinned. I love these African inspired full maxi skirts.                                                                                                                        

 

I love the fullness and length and vibrant colors! These are just a few of the images I pinned with the hopes of making and I finally decided to get to work. I shopped my fabric stash and found this fabric that I purchased at an estate sale in January. I was fortunate to get 5 yards of fabric for just $1! 

There is no selvedge information so I do not know anything about it. It does however, remind me of the African prints in my inspiration pictures. I shopped my pattern stash to find the right style and came across this one.

Have you ever heard of this pattern company? I hadn't and did a bit of research. Apparently, this pattern would have been ordered by mail through the British magazine Woman and Home. This particular pattern was advertised in the January 1976 issue (the year and month I was born). The original owner of the pattern even included the magazine clipping in the pattern envelope. 

The pattern had just three pieces, front, back, and waistband. The pockets are attached and not sewn in separately like in some patterns.  I added a simple waistband sash that is 5 feet long. Here is my skirt!

 Happy Sewing!