Simplicity jacket 4698 E

This jacket was easy to construct. The only obstacle was trying to get the plaids to match. The plaids were uneven. I haven't done a jacket in a while and chose to use a fairly cheap synthetic piece of fabric that was less than 5 dollars a yard. It is nice when you luck out making your muslin and you like it! I did buy an expensive piece of plaid-red, grey and black wool for my next jacket. Alterations made to the jacket -I took in the breast area about an inch, shortened the sleeves, shortened the bodice, and I lined the entire jacket. This jacket only gives directions to line it in the inside front, and little pieces that connect up along the collar in the back. If I followed the directions it would have been completed sooner. However, I like my garments lined. The piping wasn't too bad to sew in between the bodice pieces. The only problem was the fabric was slippery and didn't catch and move smoothly under the foot and throat plate of my machine. Other than that, I think this jacket is fairly basic and has easy, straight forward directions to follow even for a newer sewer. I probably will do a different variation and line it completely again.

Finished dress-Cristine Jonson Wrap dress 526

I absolutely love this dress. It is so comfortable. I teach and need clothes to fit and move well. This is the second dress I have made from this pattern. This time I used the collar and sleeves with cuffs option. I like this variation especially with a stretchy cami underneath. I made the sleeveless version earlier this past summer in a blue and white paisley knit.

This dress was very easy to put together. I just got a serger last spring. I highly recommend getting one if you don't have one already.I have a Bernina which I think can really do it all. However, do like the finished look and construction when using my serger.

I bought nicer fabric from Emma One Sock this time. It is really nice quality, washed and retained it's body really well. I chose the color pink because the W magazine in July forcasted pink being a big color this fall. I actually was going to enter the mini-wardrobe contest on Patterns Review that ended in August and this was part of the ensemble. Unfortunately life interrupted my plans as usual. Between family obligations, teaching ESL students this summer, and getting ready for school in the fall, I couldn't quite make the deadline. However, I am not one to quit. I finished the bloody ensemble and will post the rest of it in the days to come. I just have to get my sons or hubby to take the photos of the garments for me!

The Cristine Jonson pattern is so easy to follow and sews up nicely. I know there is a Vogue pattern that is similar to this. But I prefer no seam lines down my back. This dress just has seams that run down the sides only. It is self faced on the top. I made the ties extra long around the waist. So the ties go around my waist several times. I also love this dress because it looks great on a variety of body shapes. There is one more variation I am going to try. I already have the fabric purchased from Jane's Fabric in La Jolla, CA. The have a fab collection of buttons and designer fabrics. Shopping in La Jolla is like a vacation too. There are cute shops up and down the main street, and when you get hungry there are many fabulous restaurants to pick from!