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Thursday, March 15, 2012

Minoru or I MADE A JACKET!

Helllooo Minoru!

This jacket was so much fun to put together. I participated in Tasia's sewalong over at sewaholic and that made each step super easy, and encouraged me to take my time, which was great as taking my time has been a huge challenge for me with sewing.

I started this jacket January 30th, a bit behind the sewalong schedule. I fell a bit behind again when I tried to install in-seam pockets WITH zippers. I did do it, but I am not sure if I like how they turned out. More on that in moment. This is a google search I lead over and over again with no results. If I ever get a handle on that, I will be attempting to make a tutorial.

Things I like about this jacket: the raglan sleeves. The feminine gathering. The gigantic collar. The nipped waist.

Things I don't like about this jacket: topstitching for days and days. Okay, so it's not that I don't like the topstitching, just that I am lazy! Be warned, this takes up more than 2 spools of thread, if you are topstitching and assembling in the same color. Tasia even ran out of thread partway through the sewalong!


So, as I was saying. I fell a bit behind during the sewalong. Then something happened and all the sudden I was nearly finished, except for the hem.




That sound - that sound is what I hear in my head every time I think about hemming something. You guys, I made this Vogue #9771 THREE YEARS AGO and it it still remains hemless. Now, granted, it is a bias cut top so it's not unraveling, and I have washed it a bunch with no problems but that isn't the point.

The point is that I hate hemming and it is the bane of my existence. So this jacket sat. For maybe 3 weeks? It just sat there. I made the sailor outfit, traced off numerous patterns, made a colette violet. Picked my nose, I don't know what else. And my friends kept asking me, "Soooo are you done with that jacket yet?"

"Oh, no, I think I'm going to make some more modifications to it."
"Oh, no, I'm super busy right now (*ahem DOWNTON ABBEY ahem*) but I'll get to it."
"Oh, no, I'm just preparing for a trip to outer-space, don't think I"ll be needing a jacket there." (You will, it is cold.)

Last night, I broke two needles. I also didn't figure out why my stitching was all wonky, which eventually was due to the machine being threaded incorrectly unbeknownst to me. Apparently if you break a needle, you should double check the threading again. I'll be honest, the hem on this isn't perfect, but like a true renegade, i don't care.


Let's talk about that pocket business.




The pockets I installed feature fun kelly-green zippers. They bow out at the hips, making me look "hippier" than I am. Bad notion? Bad placement, possibly. I think the pockets are too low, which I'll take into consideration on my next version.

Hello bell shape!
Interior? I only have bad photobooth shots. But here they are.

Bright Green bemberg rayon for the sleeves!
Piece of gross-grain ribbon that says "blah blah blah", now standard on all my garments!




Next minoru? Yes. Another. It will feature no hood, better in-seam pockets (although I don't know what that means at this particular point, because I really love having zippers in those pockets) and a different set of interior pockets.

I already have the fabric for it, darlings!

I don't know what kind of fabric this is. It's woven, obviously. It's not scratchy and doesn't smell weird.

The body will be lined with either this:
Ikea Britton Nummer
Or possibly this:
Ikea Julita


Did you make a minoru? If you are unsure, GET ON THE BANDWAGON. You seriously will not regret it, this is a great pattern.

*Edit*
It seems I made a mistake in cutting my pattern. After a few wears, I really wish I would make a larger size. Any ideas aside from buying the pattern again?

14 comments:

  1. It's truly fabulous. Those green sleeves are such a fun touch.

    I bought the pattern and still feel a bit intimidated about the whole make-a-jacket thing. I just need to do it and get over the fear.

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  2. Melizza,

    Thank you! It's a really great pattern, and the sewalong really helps with any confusion on directions. You should check out the posts and just go for it! Do you have a blog I can add to my list?

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  3. Your jacket turned out awesome! I'm really loving seeing everyone's versions - pretty astounding the way one pattern can differ among so many talented ladies. I'm tempted but I got intimidated seeing all the sew-alongs. You're inspiring me!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Heather Lou! You really should do it, it's a long process but I found it to be really enjoyable. Feel free to shout out if you have any questions about it or need some help!

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  4. Yay for gritting your teeth and doing the hem! It looks brilliant and I love your fabric for mkII!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Vicki! I should probably drum up the vogue top and just hem it. HEMMING PARTY! :)

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  5. Your minoru looks great! Practice makes perfect, so they say. Have fun with your next one.

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    1. Thank you Rose! I can't wait for updates on your blog, the blouse you last posted looks awesome!

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  6. Great pictures! I like that you used your main fabric for part of your lining too. And now I am sitting here laughing at the chipmunk.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Gemini! The chipmunk was the first result when I typed in "Dun Dun Dunn" to google. I thought it was perfect!

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  7. Fun jacket! Your workmanship is terrific and I love the linings. Very nice Minoru!

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    1. Mary, thank you so much! I'm really happy with it, and that burst of Green in the sleeves is just too fun!

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  8. Hi there! I came to your blog from Sewaholic's. I love your version of the Minoru, especially those color choices. I did different pockets than you, but mine also came out a little lower than I would have like. Oh well, live and learn I guess :)

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  9. Not sure if you will even see this comment (or if you've figured out the answer to your pattern conundrum), but as for making the pattern bigger, have you thought about using a 2-wheel tracing wheel and tracing the pattern onto something different? Having the second wheel would allow you to copy the pattern exactly while adding the extra room you're looking for. Email me if you have more questions!

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