Jacket is almost done. Yay! I've called it "green", but honestly--it's chartreuse. Neon chartreuse. Maybe psychedelic even! Glow in the dark!
The jacket needs one button. Because of the shape of the midriff, I know I'm going to run into trouble making a buttonhole. The fabric ravels when you look at it, so if I had to pick out the butttonhole, it's goodbye jacket. To avoid a situation, I'm going to put a snap on the facing where the waistline button belongs. I'll sew a button on top. Faux buttonhole closing. I don't have an appropriate size snap, so I'll pick some up on Monday when I'm near a fabric store.
Someone asked how I topstitched the "cross". I used a presser foot that is equal width on each side of the needle, because I use each side of the foot for a guide. With a disappearing marker, I made an "x" on the seamline, where I wanted the topstitching to cross. Using the edge of the pressure foot as the guide, I started topstitching, using 2 strands of thread. When I got to the "x"--I stitched diagonally on the line, making the same number of stitches on either side of the seam. Then, continued sewing, using the opposite side of the presser foot as a guide. Here's photo of the foot, crossing the "x".
The jacket collar/lapel area needs gentle pressing/steaming to give it soft shaping--a slight roll. To achieve that--I folded a linen towel several times, and put the towel under the collar/lapel and steam/pressed. That provides a nice cushion for the area, and the iron won't press it sharp and flat. Here's a picture:
All I have left to do is remove some basting stitches, and sew on a snap and a button.
I made a covered button, knowing that's the only way I'll match this fabric. While I was doing that, it occurred to me to make a "beaded button" as a piece of jewelry. In a previous post, I showed some of my beaded buttons--here. To make the base, cut the fabric circle the size needed for a covered button. Cut a piece of polyester fleece the size of the finished button, and lay it on top of the fabric. That will make a covered button with padding.
The padding is needed for the beadwork. Without it, the fibers of the fabric would separate, or tear. I have seed beads the same color as the fabric, which I'm going to team with silver bugle beads and a crystal for the center. Fun stuff!
Meanwhile, I traced a jeans pattern, and will start on the muslin tomorrow. These jeans will be "grandma" type jeans--relaxed fit, thank you! I wore "tight fittin' jeans" when I was a young woman. Now, I'm in the comfort-zone type pants. That is, even if I can get a decent fit. We'll see.
Have a great weekend, sewing and otherwise.
2 weeks ago
9 Talk to me:
Good solution for the buttonhole. I like the idea of the beaded button, it will look so pretty. Good luck on the jeans.
I do the same. Whenever I have a problem with my fabric not behaving, I steer clear of buttonholes. I like the color of your jacket. Nice and bright. :)
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished jacket. I love the idea of a covered button with bead detailing. I saw a book on embellishments a while ago that had beading techniques as well as passementerie and making custom trims. I can't recall the name, but those types of details really make a garment special.
Covered buttonhole with padding, I've never heard of such. I'm writing that down to add to my notebook.
It's a lovely color, I can't wait to see the finished jacket!
I like the look of your collar. The button idea was a good one. Like Faye I making note of the padding idea.
Hello Gwen!!
HOW did you put the mauve cute buttons in front of your lists?? CUTE!!
Warm greetings,
Rhonda in Montreal (PR)
I love that shade of green! I'm making a semi-formal dress for DD#2 and she picked out her fabric yesterday. It was a choice between the same color green as your jacket or a lovely lavendar shade. She picked the lavendar, but my first choice was the green although both were beautiful colors for her. Can't wait to see this jacket! And yeah, I agree with Rhonda--very cute little buttons.
Oh what a tease you are! Can't wait to see this jacket. I love that green. As to the buttonhole, Claire Schaeffer wrote an article on organza bound buttonholes in the Aug/Sept.2008 issue of Vogue Patterns magazine that I'd love to try sometime when a regular buttonhole just won't do.
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