Slow progress 2 – McCalls 5860

The plan to sew a half hour for myself at the end of my client work is probably something I should have started ages ago. As predicted the progress is terribly slow – but even slow progress is better than no progress.

Body with pockets

Since my last post I have been able to sew the pockets and flaps onto the body of the jacket (now pressed and topstitched). As I am working in a tweed I backed the pocket flap in the satin lining to reduce bulk which I think worked well. I even remembered to sew the buttonhole before it was sewn to the garment – not rushing does have its advantages.

Satin backed pocket flaps

I sewed the sleeves and tried them on my arms as they looked fairly large. I felt they looked a bit ‘flappy’ on my arms so I reduced the circumference by 3cm simply by resewing the underarm seam to 3cm rather than the 1.5 allowed. This looks much better in my opinion. I dislike ‘fat’ sleeves as even if the rest of the garment fits really well they are inclined to make me look larger. I did a little adjustment on the body to comensate for the now smaller sleeve and they sewed into the holes perfectly.

Lining ready for insertion

My last job was to sew a complete body and sleeves in lining which are to be sewn to the shell of the jacket before the collar and facings. I will try the jacket on before I sew the lining to it to check the finished length is right. Once I am happy I will machine sew the hem edge, right sides together, which will give a clean finish.

I am intending to cut and iron the interfacing to everything that needs it in my time today, and get the collar sewn tomorrow. I have the buttons ready and I am very happy with them. All that stands between me and completion is time – and I am finding that in bits!

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