Fabulous Free Pattern Friday/Geometric Dream Jacket

It's been 3 1/2 years since I made the Geometric Dreams Jacket! When I initially made it up for the Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post, I always intended to make up another in a nicer fabric. Sadly, that did not happen. But the jacket has been my go to jacket any time I'm a little chilly, and that's most of the time.

 Just to refresh your memory, the jacket begins as a basic shrug.

The bottom portion of the jacket is basically a half circle and a triangle. 

The time has finally come for a new jacket in a much nicer fabric. I decided to do a little experimenting as I wanted to see if the jacket really did need to be made in a knit fabric. It does not! This jacket is made out of a woven fabric with a little Lycra, so basically a stretch woven.The fabric is wool with about 3% Lycra.

The jacket is basically the same as the first except that I allowed more for the collar, and I added a little to the length. My half circle for the lower portion of the jacket is wider than my fabric would allow. In order to have the width I needed, I had to cut 2 half circles that are more like a rectangle with a rounded edge.

Again, since my fabric was not as wide as the fabric I used for the original jacket, so I needed to add cuffs to the sleeves. I cut the cuffs on the bias just to give a little definition. 

In the future, I may give the jacket another go in a less subtle plaid as I think it might be a lot of fun.

If you would like to make a Geometric Dreams Jacket of your own, you can find the instructions HERE.
Have fun!
Rhonda

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday/Geometric Dreams Jacket

I feel like it has been such a long time since I've done a FFPF post. But it was only two weeks ago as I missed last Friday due to the fact that I was trying to get my garment finished for the Passion For Fashion contest. I have been wiped out all week, but I'm back with a fun little jacket. Believe it or not, it's just one rectangle, one half circle and one triangle. I'm calling it the 

Geometric Dreams Jacket 

The half circle actually wraps all the way around and stops at the center back neckline. The excess of the circle falls over the back or drapes to the front.

In this picture of the back, you can see the triangle that radiates out of center back.
This piece needs to be made with a knit. It does not need to be a two-way stretch knit, but it should have a nice stretch in the crosswise grain. The first measurement that you will need is the measurement around your arm.

Cut a rectangle from your fabric, I cut mine from one side of the selvedge to the other. The width of your rectangle will be the measurement around your arm. The width of my rectangle was 14". You will need to sew the ends of the rectangle and leave the center area open. This should not be tight under your arm, so you may need to adjust your stitching.

A view of the now tube from the back. This is just a basic shrug at this point.

Measure the center opening of the tube you have just sewn. This will determine the width of your half circle. You will need this measurement plus 6 to 8" for the top portion of the collar. I was able to use the width of my fabric. The length of your half circle will be the desired length from the bottom of the shrug/tube.

With your fabric folded, or if you need more width you will need a double piece of fabric. As you see above, draw in a curve along the edge of your fabric.

If you are able to cut the half circle on the fold, cut your half circle in half.

In order for the jacket to hang well at center back, you will need to add a triangle. The width of the triangle at the widest point should be 3/4 of your hip measurement. So if your hips are 40", your triangle at the widest point will be 30". The length will be the same as the center cut edge of your half circles. Sew together as you see above.  

Now take the half circles and the triangle that you have sewn together and sew to the center opening of your tube as you see above. leave the excess length of the half circle free. This will form the portion of the collar that drapes to the front of the jacket or over the back, your choice.

As I said, the triangle is necessary as the lower portion of the jacket will not hang free without the extra fabric. You can see below the center of the triangle at center back.

The triangle will wrap to the front and give your hips the room that they need.

Finish the edges, hem the sleeves and you are good to go. If you would like, you can taper the sleeves. I chose not to as I would like to wear other pieces under the jacket and I don't want the sleeves to end up being too tight. A super easy jacket and there are only 3 easy pieces!

Happy Friday Everyone!!!!