Finiiiiiiished! The jacket, that is - I couldn't wait for the skirt to show you the fruits of my labour.
Behold!
A reminder of the original pattern...
... and Betty Draper wearing her version.
Clearly I haven't spent as much (any) time on my hair, but here I am in my version. So as not to look like a footballer's wife, I went for a more sober aubergine colour.
I just love those scallops! Tutorial here in case you missed it.
I even attached shoulder pads! Because I'm an eighties power woman. Got some funny looks at work today.
Like the lining, sir? This is the pièce de résistance!
My first attempt at lining anything, and there was no lining pattern so I had to draft one, but it was surprisingly easy following Tasia's wonderful tutorial. When I'd stitched the lining to the shell, turned it right sides out and saw that it had actually worked - that it really looked like a lined jacket - I nearly cried, I was so happy!
I have to admit that before I began sewing I'd never thought about linings or knew what they were for. So I did a bit of research, and to spell it out for anyone else who has never pondered this earth-shattering question, linings exist to:
1) Hide the construction inside a garment - especially useful for complicated pieces like jackets
2) Add a comfortable layer to stiff fabrics, or add weight to lighter fabrics
3) Lubricate (ahem) - provide a slippery layer to reduce wear and tear to the garment shell
4) Make the process of pulling a garment on and off easier (okay, so this one is a bit tenuous)
5) Make the garment look pretty and feel lovely and to make the seamstress feel all smug and professional!
My smug face.
I did have some trouble sourcing interesting linings though. I got this one from some random website, but ideally I'd like to stock up on some polka dot linings or some other slightly more interesting patterns. Does anyone have any recommendations of places to get them (preferably in the UK)?
And finally, check out my new labels! Everyone over at Crafty Christmas Club has their own labels, don't you know.
Hope you like it! Skirt up next. I've cut out the Jenny skirt from Burda, just need to find some time to make it up...
Hope you like it! Skirt up next. I've cut out the Jenny skirt from Burda, just need to find some time to make it up...
[Soundtrack: 'Sorrow' by David Bowie - no sorrow here though!]
It's fantastic! The colour is great. As for linings, I recently came across these folks in Golders Green; their stuff seems more interesting than the average shop http://www.theliningcompany.co.uk/catalog/index.php
ReplyDeleteWow! It is fantastic. It is my favourite of your garments so far. The fit is perfect.
ReplyDeleteFor lining - I obviously won't be any help with the UK bit, but for nicer linings, especially if you want a cute print, I would steer away from traditional linings and go for silk. I used silk twill on my lady grey coat and it is so nice next to my skin, and looks much nicer than regular lining. It is a little more expensive than regular lining, but if you search around you can usually find silk decently priced. I think the silk twill was $8/m (I did have to search a bit for it), and the lining I usually buy is around $12/m.
bravo! It looks so fantastic! LOVE the color..and those scallops!
ReplyDeleteYour smug face is well deserved, it's absolutely amazing. I love the contrast colour of the lining. Fab labels too! x
ReplyDeleteSpectacular! I think the color looks so sweet with your hair. Will keep a look out for the pattern as I love sewing vintage. And for linings in London, try MacCulloch & Wallis (MacCulloch & Wallis - Go to home page) or Cloth House on Berwick St.!
ReplyDeleteOoh thanks Claire, they have some lovely polka dot linings that will go nicely with the red Beignet I've had cut out and waiting to go for about three years...
ReplyDeleteAha, MacC&W - I'm too scared to go in there, but maybe this will prompt me to be brave!
I love it, such a gorgeous jacket, lining included. The detailing at the top of the arms/shoulders too, so smart and pretty too... well done you! Smug face well earned :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your jacket!!! Everything about it is just perfect, the colour, the fit, and the scalloped edges, it's so nice! And what a cute label!
ReplyDeleteFrom Carys of La Ville Inconnue
Oh I love the jacket Tilly. Great job, great colour. Love it! Love it! Love it!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, what a gorgeous jacket! I want to sew one of those now :D Can I?The colour is great and the fit is amazing on you. I think Dalston Mill Fabrics have lots of different linings in their shop ( the online shop does not have all their stock) so might be worth a visit.
ReplyDeleteThat is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAdorable! Please tell me you plan on making a matching skirt.
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! It's gorgeous, I didn't remember the colour of your lining but the minty-blue-green is so pretty with the maroon! Yay!
ReplyDeleteThe scallops are fabulous, the whole thing is just so pretty and fun and feminine. Wonderful job!
Oh Tilly, this is so perfect! I literally love everything about it! Nice label too ;o)
ReplyDeleteWhere did you buy those cute labels?
ReplyDeleteYou have every right to look smug! It looks great buttoned up, but I also really like it unbuttoned with the polka dot top on underneath.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, you are very talented!
ReplyDeleteYou should be thrilled! This looks terrific. So beautifully made...
ReplyDeleteIt's a winner. You should be smug. I have many an envy : )
ReplyDeleteIt's just so darling! I love the scallops. You look so fabulous in it too! Perfect fit! Love the color too and the contrasting lining. Really great details here! Can't wait to see the skirt.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. I like the color you chose so much better than the Betty Draper inspiration (light pink, bleh!). What a fabulous result on your first lining attempt.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!! It has turned out beyond beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe lining and jacket fabrics are both just gorgeous, and together, they are AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteoh holy cow, that is simply beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I am definitely feeling covetous. Covetous, I tell you!!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! This is absolutely beautiful! And the fit is PERFECT! Great job...I have yet to line anything...but hopefully soon. Thanks for all the research :-)
ReplyDeleteAww... thanks for all your sweet comments.
ReplyDeleteLucie, I got the labels from www.wovenlabelsuk.com/Woven-Sew-on-Nametapes.html
Wow wow wow! You are incredible, I can't wait to see the whole suit.
ReplyDeleteps I love Sorrow, what a great song
Hi Tilly. Hurrah and well done you! That looks gorgeous. I love the scallops. Can't understand why you got strange looks re the shoulder pads. If you hadn't said the jacket used them, I wouldn't have known. Love the contrasting lining. Yes, I could do with some good lining fabrics, too. Lining a jacket puts the fear of god into me. NB If you ever need moral support for a visit to MacCullough and Wallis, I'll come with you!
ReplyDeleteTilly Tilly Till OMG! It is A-Mazing!!! You are so clever! You have totally inspired me with this, I am so impressed and will be showing your blog to all my crafty girlfriends! Sam xox
ReplyDeleteLovely jacket! The scallops are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed, Tilly. This is a beautiful piece and that lining... I would be tempted to wear it inside out ;o)
ReplyDeleteI am currently working on a coat and will definetely use the lining instructions. Great job.
Bravo!!! I love how sharp this looks--you did such a fantastic job on all those scallops! I love the bright lining too--I'm always a fan of super fun linings. ;) Can't wait to see the entire suit finished!
ReplyDelete♥ Casey | blog
Absolutely fabulous! Can't wait to see the skirt! Polka dot lining available at Favourite Fabrics on eeebaaay UK. Croft Mill Fabrics (UK)has some paisley embossed and shot ginger/lime linings at the moment but selling fast!
ReplyDeleteLOVE! Oh, Tilly, it's gorgeous!. Your smug face is quite rightly deserved and I can't wait to see the finished ensemble.
ReplyDeleteWow this looks so good! Amazing job with the lining too.
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely marvellous creation!
ReplyDeleteI also love your dressmakers' dummy! Did you make it?
Wow, this is so amazing. I really love the style, fabric you chose and its quality! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteYayyy! Very nice! You deserve to be smug.
ReplyDeleteAs for linings, my absolute favourite linings come from Classic Textiles on Goldhawk Road (of course). They're 100% silk and just called "silk lining", but it's like the weight of a silk satin but without the shiny, and the difference in weave makes it wear a whole lot better (I am ferociously rough on my coat linings). Mostly solids, but I stock up on a whole bunch of colours while I'm there and use them for coats, jackets, dresses, and skirts. If I recall, they're priced the same as the silk satins, something like £6-8/m.
Fantastic colour, fantastic scallops... smugness more than justified! Can't wait to see the whole look in action!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job!! and your hair is well done too, similar to Betty
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous jacket! I'm so jealous. You've done a fabulous job. Plus, it looks great on you. Looking forward to seeing the full effect when you've finished the skirt. Giant thumbs up!!
ReplyDeletewow - lovely jacket! The style and colour suit you so well and I really wish my hair looked like that when I do nothing to it!
ReplyDeleteAmazing - Love the scalloping! This looks perfect on you :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks so good and professional. That color looks really good on you!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great Tilly. Love the contrast lining. Well done :)
ReplyDeleteLovely! Very beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteomg this is gorgeous , I absolutely love it
ReplyDeleteIt's really lovely! And looks way better in the color you chose than in light pink. Love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you had the exact same pattern in your stash. ^^
(seen on Sew Retro)
Honestly, when I saw both Betty and the pattern, I thought - well, not really what I'd would like to wear, too candy-coloured, too kitschy-sweet. But I really love, love what you did with it, your version looks beautiful, the colour is perfect and it makes the garment more adult and serious. Well done!
ReplyDeleteSonja
Tilly, it's an absolute TRIUMPH!! What a stunning job! :) Love your labels, too.
ReplyDeletePreciosa!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteUn beso desde España.
Wow, you have tons of comments on this and they are all well deserved. And I've got labels too!
ReplyDeleteYour jacket is so beautiful and looks very wearable. Congratulations on your successful lining!
Ohh the jacket is really nice! Love your work. I'll follow you ;)
ReplyDeletewww.snoturt.blogspot.com
Great job on the jacket. The scallops look absolutely perfect and your first job at lining turned out quite nice! I recently did my first lining project too and I was really pleased with how it takes the finishing to the next level!
ReplyDeleteNancy
The Hem M A Blog
Your jacket is lovely, and I followed the instructions to draft a lining for a coat I am making my baby!
ReplyDeletehttp://farmhousegarden.blogspot.com/2010/11/babys-technicolor-dreamcoat.html
I was completely clueless as to how to do this, and it worked out wonderfully- thank you both so much!
brava! bravissima! it looks great on you
ReplyDeleteAwesome! You look so lovely! I <3 the scallops and the color looks really good on you. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is really amazing! Love the scallops and the color combination of lining and shell fabric.
ReplyDeleteUtterly lovely - it's beautiful. What about Mcculloch & Wallis for linings?
ReplyDeleteFlorence x
Wow! It looks fantastic. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteStunning jacket and superior workmanship!
ReplyDeleteHey tilly i love that jacket! I'd love to try it, but I don't have the pattern. Do you know where I could get it?
ReplyDeleteHey tilly :) i love your betty draper jacket, so classic and who doesn't love scallops? Anyways, I'd love to try to make it but I don't have the pattern. Would you know where I could get it?
ReplyDelete@lici@ - thank you! I found the pattern in an antiques shop. You can find vintage patterns in charity shops (thrift stores), on eBay and a few independent businesses sell them.
ReplyDeleteHello,i am french,and my english very poor,but i like very much your work and the style of your closes.It's fantastic to find people who like 50 an 60's fashion.
ReplyDeleteI hope to be able to make so beautiful things.
Cute! I like that you posted the Betty Draper photo in her scalloped jacket... her style is so inspiring. I love you label!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! So adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have not recently discovered your blog (you have been starring in my google reader for quite some time now) for some reason I didn't notice you made this jacket!
I love love love love love it! It's perfect because it has a blazer-ish feel to it, but because of the playful scallops it's not as business "I'm on my way to court to plea my client out of jail" like.
Have you discovered any good online places to find linings or fabrics in general from these comments? I've just been asking on my blog about good fabric resources as I have lately noticed a dwindling amount of interesting and unique fabrics (well, in Israel. but still)
Thanks for the inspiration!
Aw thanks, Kessem! Handmade Jane alerted me to the existence of The Lining Company, which has a good selection of linings (although I've just checked again and seen that they're not currently stocking as wide a selection of polka dot linings as they used to).
DeleteHi Tilly, There are a few fabulous fabric shops on the Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush. Lovely jacket btw
ReplyDeleteSo so so lovely!
ReplyDelete