Progress – slow – but still progress….(McCalls 5860)

'The chosen one'

Following my last post I spent about a week circling the fabrics. I changed my my about which colour velvet to use for the McCalls jacket about every half hour. Eventually I made up my mind. I went for the beige tweed – bet you didn’t see that coming! I checked the wardrobe and decided that if I used the tweed  I would be able to use the jacket with stuff I already have. But I still want to make trousers in the almond velvet.

Having finally made the choice I prepared my pattern. I hadn’t used a ‘Palmer/Pletsch Perfect Fit’ pattern before so was surprised to find a whole sheet dedicated to preparing the pattern.There was lots of good, encouraging information on the sheet which  helps  to get the best fit possible. Just follow the words and don’t try to overthink and you will get the desired result.

I cut the size 16 and made a full bust adjustment before shortening the body and sleeves a little (I am 5’4″).I was fairly sure that Gigi had mentioned that this jacket was a fairly close fit but I rarely wear thick jumpers with a jacket so I was happy to go with that ( I have checked her blog and can’t see where I saw that – maybe I imagined it!). Having sewed the backs and fronts together I can confirm that it is a close fit  but I am happy with that.

 I will be lining the jacket  so that it slides more easily over t-shirts etc. and was delighted to find in a little ‘pro tip’ box the instructions for doing it. The suggestion is to simply cut the backs, fronts, and sleeves and baste to the jacket before sewing the collar, cuffs and hem Simple and effective. There are a number of these little tip boxes in the pattern which I think is really good.

 Because I have been very busy with client  work I decided to do 1/2 hour at the end of each day to make this jacket. That means it will take a while – but at least it is progressing from the little pile of pieces it has been for about a week. Yesterday I managed to sew the body together to check the fit again and I plan to sew the pocket & flaps, and sleeves today.  I will report on progress as I can.

M5860 Front

  

     

M5860 Back

As you can see this didn’t get as far as the ironing board before being flung on Bessie to be photographed – I will be pressing the seams before they are topstitched. Hopefully it will look more presentable next time!

 

An apology to Patrones – After reading Melissas blog I realised that the ‘Extra’ issues of Patrones are actually collections of patterns from previous issues (in the one I was referring to they are for the ‘larger lady’). If you are aware that they are published in this way then that is probably the better way to buy these special patterns. Now that I understand I felt I had to apologise for the last comment I made.

Edited on 2/12 re Melissas comment: It would seem that SOME paterns are repeated in the EXTRA editions, but some are new. It would seem worth checking contents before purchase if you can.

 

 

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