Friday, April 17, 2009

On the Home Stretch

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.









9 Talk to me:

Lori said...

Good solution for the buttonhole. I like the idea of the beaded button, it will look so pretty. Good luck on the jeans.

2BSewing: said...

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. :)

Jean said...

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.

Faye Lewis said...

Covered buttonhole with padding, I've never heard of such. I'm writing that down to add to my notebook.

Tany said...

It's a lovely color, I can't wait to see the finished jacket!

Linda L said...

I like the look of your collar. The button idea was a good one. Like Faye I making note of the padding idea.

Rhoto said...

Hello Gwen!!
HOW did you put the mauve cute buttons in front of your lists?? CUTE!!
Warm greetings,
Rhonda in Montreal (PR)

Kat said...

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.

Diana said...

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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