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Saturday, November 24, 2012

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday

I'm still a little behind, so forgive me for posting Friday's piece on Saturday. I really wanted to post it though because I'm so happy with how it turned out. Hope you like it!
The Fall/Winter Ralph Lauren collection has been rather inspiring for me. I did a Monday Morning Inspiration post about it here. I just love the pairing of plaid with fur, so I decided to take a little stab at it for my own winter wardrobe and since this jacket is nothing more than a couple of rectangles sewn together, I'm sharing it with you! I'm calling this piece
The V Is For Victory Jacket
You can see that it is pretty simple. The jacket is reversible by the way.
Because I used a plaid, the back "v" is very obvious. 
 I've turned it to the reverse side in the above and below pictures. 
Below is the jacket laying flat without the tie, just two rectangles sewn into a "v" shape. 
The tabs that are on the ends on the rectangles are for the tie belt to go through and if you look closely, you can see the buttonholes down near the bottom.
To determine the length of your rectangle, measure from your waist, over your bust,
 and down your back to your waistline. Add 2" to this measurement for ease.
For the width of your rectangle, measure from your neck down your arm the length that you would like for the jacket to fall over your arm.
If you don't have a dress form, you can drape this on your body, but a dress form will make this a little easier. Once your rectangle is cut, drape it over yourself or your form and turn back the edge of the fabric for the collar.
The back will fall into a "v" shape. Put a pin at center back and another pin at the neckline where the "v" begins to form.
Using chalk, draw in a line. Be sure to leave seam allowance before cutting.
At this point you will cut another piece to correspond to this piece and you should also cut the reverse side fabric at this point.
Sew the 2 pieces together. This is now your center back seam.
 Now we need to determine the dimensions of the tabs that the belt will go through.
Hold out the fabric and find the side seam area and put a pin here.
 Measure this area. I added a little more for ease. 1 1/2" is plenty.
I cut my tab extensions on the bias. You can see from the above measurement that I cut my rectangles 8" long, plus seam allowance and the width is 6".   
 
 To finish my edges, I turned back the raw edge and stitched.
 Once I got to the end, I turned the fabric,
 and then turned it in again and stitched once more.
The edges are finished.
Fold this piece in half and steam.
 Sew the extension piece to the end of the rectangle starting at the edge of the collar.
Now we need to determine where the buttonhole openings will be in the back. They should be at the waistline and about half way between center back and the side seam area, not exactly in the middle though, a little closer to the side seam is better. I cut my tie belt 5" wide which gave me a finished width of 2", that gave me a 1/2" seam allowance. Your buttonholes should then be 2 1/2" long. The extra 1/2" will allow the tie to freely move through the buttonhole.
 You can see one of my buttonholes above.
 The tie belt has been threaded through the buttonholes,
 and brought around to the front, put through the extensions and tied.
The finished jacket.
I hope someone gives this a try because it is really quite easy to do and it looks sensational on. So as it always goes, I create one thing and then I need to create another to go with it. Pants are on the list to wear with this as well as a long pencil skirt since I have enough of the plaid to make the skirt. Oh, why not?!! Once I get the pants and or the skirt finished, I'll post pictures of me in the jacket. 



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20 comments:

  1. Very classy. Love this jacket. I love the reversible part. Thanks so much for sharing this, Rhonda

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  2. Thanks for posting this pattern. I really like it & plan to make one for myself. Love the fabrics you used too.

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  3. That is to awesomely cute. I think I saw that fur at my local Hancock's or something reasonably similar. You are such a design whizz - so talented. I hope it's o.k. with you - I find your free pattern and sleeve segments so interesting - I am featuring you on my blog today.

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  4. Oh, btw, that Ralph Lauren ad has been turning me on this season too!

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  5. Just discovered your blog and love what you do!

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  6. Rhonda, This little classic with a twist jacket is just amazing. You are so talented and productive as well.

    Thanks for the pattern and the great photos of the steps.

    Terri

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  7. I just LOVE the animal print paired with the plaid. This is an adorable jacket!

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  8. I LoVE this jacket.... And, you make the steps seem so easy. I want to try this.

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  9. Love this little jacket. Brilliant fabric combination.

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  10. WOW! Well done and the ad is very appealing :)

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  11. Oh, Rhonda. You may have just saved me sooo much time! I have a client coming Wednesday for a little jacket that needs to be done quickly and look good. This might be just the ticket. Thanks!!!

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  12. Lovely jacket, so cute and beautifully inspired by the advert!
    Thank you so much for sharing...
    Happy sewing xxx

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  13. Oh, this is soooo adorable!! I'm thinking of all the different fabrics in the hoarders closet that I could try this with, I'm about to dump a dachshund off my lap and run in there!

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  14. Oh my! This little jacket is great! And, what care and detail you took in your tutorial. Now to find the time to make one myself...

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  15. I bought a pattern toake something similar and didn't have enough fabric so I went hunting and found this , after a few hours now I'm sewing on tabs and button holes love it can't wait to wear it , great idea! I'd share a pic but I have no idea how.

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  16. I bought a pattern off etsy for something similar and didn't have enough fabric, so I went hunting and came across your blog, and fell in love I am sewing button holes and it will be done I will be my new coat. I'd gladly share a pic but I I've no clue how.

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    1. If you can take a picture and download it into your computer, you are welcome to email the picture to me. My email address is sewbussted@yahoo.com. I would LOVE to see your jacket!

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  17. Hi, I love this jacket, but did I miss the step where you sew the reverse on? Did you do it before the buttonholes after the tabs and bag it out? xx

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    1. Yes, sew the tabs for the belt on first and then sew the lining, or reverse side on. Turn right sides out and then sew in the buttonholes.

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