Hi, guys. Thank you so much for your kind comments about my grandma. No matter how much time we have with our loved ones, it’s never enough, but it’s nice to share happy memories about them. So thanks for listening and for your sweet words.
This might be a little weird, but when I heard the sad news, I sort of buried myself in this jacket project. It ended up being way more hand-labor-intensive than my sewing projects usually are, but that was really soothing. It was nice to have something absorbing, but not difficult, to keep me occupied.
But I’ll back up and start from the beginning. This is the Ninot Jacket pattern from Pauline Alice. I downloaded it a while ago, thinking it would be easy to fit long-distance (I sew up a muslin and mail it, then my mom or sister texts me photos and I try to identify any fit issues). The relaxed fit made it quick to adjust- I just did a 1/4″ broad shoulder adjustment and that was it (I’d planned to lengthen it, but my mom liked the shorter length and she wears higher-rise jeans than I do, so it works on her). I realized later that I’d used the size I cut for my sister, so if I’d used the proper size for my mom, I wouldn’t have needed any additional width.
muslin!
The pattern came together easily, except for a small problem with the sleeve. The upper and under sleeve pieces didn’t match along the seamlines (the undersleeve was shorter by about 7/8″), so I re-drew it and trued the seams. I alerted Pauline to the problem, so it may be fixed in newer versions, but it’s worth checking before you cut into your fabric. Otherwise, I liked the pattern. It’s a bit more bare bones than most indie patterns, though. For example, I would’ve liked lengthen/shorten lines, and for the pattern pieces to be labeled with which fabric should be used (self, lining, etc.), but it’s not the end of the world at all. It was easy to use and the end results are nice.
The fabric is a Marc Jacobs cotton/linen blend that I ordered online from Mood when it was one of their deal of the day fabrics (it’s still available here if you like it). I ordered it as a backup when I was making my runway-inspired two-piece set back in February, so I’m happy to get it out of my stash! The fabric is loosely woven, so I serged all the edges to keep them from ravelling, even though I knew they would be covered by the lining. This jacket better last a long time!
I used medium-weight woven weft interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply, leftover from my Colette Anise jacket, and it gave just the right amount of stability to the jacket. Even though the fabric pressed well, the seam allowances were a bit thick, so I took my time and catch-stitched all the seams open so they would stay nice and flat. I wouldn’t ordinarily go nuts with something like that, but it was very meditative to do something repetitive and it was just what I needed. Similarly, I installed the lining by hand on my 12-hour car trip back to the Midwest, and while it took about 88,000 stitches, it was nice to have something to occupy my hands on the trip. The lining was a cream-colored acetate from my stash, purchased eons ago from Mood NYC. More stash-busting!
OK, finishing touches: I didn’t do everything the hard way- I took the coat to Jonathan Embroidery and had them do the buttonholes! Call me crazy, but for some reason I don’t really like the look of bound buttonholes, so I had keyhole buttonholes done instead. Since there were only three buttonholes, that only set me back $3- not bad! I used covered buttons (covered by my brother, heeheehee… gotta put ‘em to work!) for a cute and classic look. The buttons and the welt pockets are basically invisible in this busy print, but they’re there, I promise.
I think this looks pretty cute on my mom. She has a fun personality and doesn’t take her wardrobe too seriously, so I knew she would enjoy a pink print. She’s a very casual dresser, but she likes styles that are classic or slightly vintage, so I thought this cropped swing jacket would be just the thing for her. Plus it was nice to be able to give her something happy at a sad time. I think she likes it, don’t you?
I did nothing to prompt this move. Modeling just runs in the family!
OK, what about you? Do you enjoy hand stitching, or are you a speedy machinist? What’s on your sewing table these days?
Ginger Makes... 
great make for mom, it really suits her coloring and i love the pleat in the back for just that little bit of swinginess.
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The pleat is so good! I’m tempted to try one that’s lengthened with an even deeper pleat!
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That looks amazing! Your mum must be so pleased with it.
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I hope so! I’m going to have my dad spy and see if she actually wears it! 😮
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Wow! This is so nice! What a wonderful gift for your mom. I agree completely that hand-stitching, or anything that is slow and takes attention, is great for soothing during hard times. I bought this pattern when it was released but still haven’t made it up, so I appreciate your notes on it!
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This would be so cute on you!!! Will you make it in pink? 😉
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Looks splendind on your mother … perfect choice of fabric … The fit is spot on!
Sorry to hear about your grandma… my nana’s been gone ten years now and I still miss her
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Grandmas are so special, aren’t they? They can’t be replaced. 😦
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Wow Sonja, that jacket looks wonderful on your mum, the style and colours suit her perfectly, great job! And I have to say it, she looks AMAZING, honestly, she looks about 25! x
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It’s kind of crazy… people sometimes think my dad is HER dad, and he’s only two years older than her!
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Lovely! Your mom and her jacket!
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She’s awfully cute!
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Nice one! Your mum looks great in this, she can be happy that she has a daughter who sews stuff for her!
I’m in a strange kinda sewing funk at the moment, where I start stuff and never finish. I have a circle skirt, a biker jacket, my first autumn dress all yards away from the finish line. Well, I’ll be off to Vienna on the weekend, maybe some nice fabric comes my way to get my out off my funk 😉
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Pretty new fabric sure can’t hurt!!! 😉 Have fun in Vienna!
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Great job! Your mom looks lovely in her new jacket, and it sounds like a perfect way to work through some of your grief.
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Thanks, lady!
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Everything about this post makes me smile…
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🙂
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O M G “installed the lining by hand…”
You’re my she-ro.
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Just don’t look too closely at my stitching! I’m not the most even hand stitcher!
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The jacket looks great on your mum, the colour is very flattering. I am very sorry for your loss – my family is in a similar situation. My husbands dad dropped dead suddenly, whilst playing tennis, 2 months ago. It was totally unexpected and we are still struggling with his absence. it is particularly hard to see my mother-in-law without him. Fortunately we live very close and are on hand to help with anything. One of the things I did in the immediate aftermath of his death was help my m-i-l re-size a jacket so that she could wear it at the funeral – it didn’t seem much, but it was a great help.
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Tamsin, I’m so sorry for your loss. That’s so sad. I bet your mom-in-law felt very loved by you when you helped with her jacket.
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Your mum looks great in her new jacket – job well done. She also looks / is really young. I thought this was your sister til I read through the post.
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People often think we’re sisters! It’s pretty funny. 🙂
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What a beautiful jacket. I’ve always admired the Ninot jacket pattern and seeing it made is always a pleasure. Love the fabric.
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It’s a very sweet style. I especially like the little girls’ version!
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You sure come from a youthful stock! And man, I’m pretty taken with that muslin. Speaking of, I’m also taken with the idea of you mailing muslins to your fam! What a fun piece of mail that must be, both on the sending and receiving sides. The final jacket looks great on your ma.
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My mom looks insanely young… when we were shopping for my wedding dress, everyone kept trying to give the dresses to her, ha!
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Perfect pattern fit for your mom. She looks happy and stylish in it. I’m more than a little jealous that you have a location to get coat button holes made. I’d pay for that too!
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I’ve never done it before now, but it’s a pretty cool service! You’ll have to save up a bunch of projects that need finishing and hop on a NYC-bound bus!
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Your mum rocks in this jacket!
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She does look pretty cute in it, doesn’t she?
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I want to adopt you! Beautiful jacket.
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Heeheehee… it’s a good time to adopt me- you’ve missed out on my awful teen years! 😉
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A jacket for le boyfriend. He is away at the moment so it’s waiting for him so I could check the sleeve fit and collar and what nots and then it will be done, hopefully before the snow. Naah who am I kidding! We might get snow soon so… Christmas! 😀
Your moms jacket looks great! I always admire how you Internet people love hand stitching! I do alot on my sewing machine.
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No snow, yuck!!! It’s only October!!! Make winter stay away!!!
I’m usually in a race to the finish line with my projects (if I don’t finish something quickly, I start hating it!) so I rarely hand stitch, but it was fun this time around!
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I dont want snow but mother nature is a bitch and she rarely asks my opinion about snow LOL
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love this on your mom! the fit looks so great, well done! also: super jealous you can outsource your buttonholes… i’m not a big fan of bound either, and my machine doesn’t do keyhole buttonholes. i’d totally pay for that service!
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You should see the machine they use! It’s pretty terrifying! Maybe we should learn how to do handworked buttonholes?
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What a lovely jacket and so nice to be able to work on a good project at a sad time.
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It really was nice to have something absorbing to work on. It sounds silly, but it’s true.
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This jacket is so nice and looks great on your Mom! She’s super cute! It must have been so nice to put all that love into a gift for your Mom! It’s like giving her a big hug she can have anytime she likes. I love it!
Personally, I really have to be in the mood to hand stitch. I prefer to do everything by machine, but I agree that it can be extremely therapeutic. Hope you’re doing well.
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Thanks for the kind words. I’m feeling much better the last day or two.
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I actually assumed it was your sister in the photos when I started reading! The jacket is fab and your mom looks great in it. What a brilliant gift! I’m going to finally take the plunge and make some trousers – though I still need to find a sewing machine…
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Ooh, trousers! Good luck!!! What happened to your sewing machine?!
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I moved to Shanghai a few weeks ago and just couldn’t bring mine with me from Ireland. But apparently the home sewing revival has yet to happen here because sewing machines are hard to find! Hoping to get my hands on one next week.
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Stitching stuff by hand can be quite therapeutic. I generally loathe it, but sometimes, I just take it in front of the TV with me & all of a sudden it’s done. With the fear of sounding like a total Nana, needlepoint is crazy relaxing…haven’t done it in years, though.
I am trying to get a jump on Xmas. Making a little coat & pillow cases for my friend’s kids from fabric her mum had sent me. My friend’s mum passed away a year ago, so I thought it would be fun for the kids to have something to remember their grandma by.
When my friend’s grandma died, she took one of her granny’s favorite shirts to remember her by. Since the shirt didn’t fit, she wasn’t sure what to do with it, so I sewed her a bear out of it that’s been sitting on her bed ever since.
Really sorry to hear about your grandma. It’s just going to suck for a while & eventually suck a little less. Big squeeze from across the seas.
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That’s really sweet. It will be so nice to have mementos to remind your friend’s family of their grandmother.
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isn’t the ninot a wonderful style? your mom looks smashing in it, i’m sure it’ll be a jacket she’ll love to wear. an you make me want to sew for my family!
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Yours was the first version I saw in the wild and it turned out so cute!!!
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That jacket looks great on your mom! That pink fabric is really nice.
Just a quick word about Pauline Alice patterns: I’m currently making the Carme blouse which has shorten/lengthen lines. She may have started to add them on the patterns as they get reprinted?
I’m really sorry about your granny and hope that making something for your mom made you both feel better.
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Oh, that’s good to know! I’m thinking of trying the Carme blouse. I really like the tucks and the yokes, although I don’t usually like a band collar. Maybe I can draft a regular collar! Hope you have fun sewing it.
Thank you for your kind words. She’s really going to be missed.
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Your mom looks stunning! I love that jacket from Pauline. And that fabric OMG. Thanks for sharing your long-distance fitting tips… They will be handy for me
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It’s the best way I can think to do it- if anyone has any other long-distance tips I’d love to hear them!
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This is beautiful. I love the print. It’s perfect with the style of jacket.
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Thanks, Helen! I’m glad I saved the fabric until now!
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I’m thinking I need to make this jacket! Love the classic style and can envision this jacket wool coating…. As for the buttonholes, bound buttonholes aren’t the “only” choice in a custom-made coat or jacket. Keyhole buttonholes definitely have a RTW look, and can be “meditative” a if done by hand, too!
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Ooh, I need to try a handworked buttonhole! That didn’t even cross my mind!
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What a great jacket, your mum looks fab. I like hand stitching and am emarking on a jacket with lots of quilting and hand stitched lining.
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Oh, wow, quilting! That will really add warmth! How fun!
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This piece seems to suit your mum to a T! Seriously styling!
And there is something very therapeutic about hand sewing and detailed construction. It can allow your mind you chill or process or just keep your hands busy. Sending good vibes you and your families way xx
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Thanks for the good vibes, friend. They’re much appreciated!!!
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How wonderful to make a jacket for your mom!! It looks so amazing on her!! Glad you had a project for you difficult time! I agree hand sewing is a great stress reliever.
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She’s pretty fun to sew for, actually. I should do it more!
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So pretty! That’s an amazing fabric!
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It’s really nice fabric and it’s especially nice that it’s really easy to clean! Nice change of pace from the usual wool blends you see for jackets. 🙂
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It’s so good!! What a thoughtful daughter you are!! She looks great and her natural modeling talents remind me of dear friend of mine ;p
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Hahaha, I definitely got my…. shall we call it zaniness?… from her. My poor sedate dad doesn’t know what to do around all of us lunatics!
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Fabulous, fabulous jacket, and totally know what you mean about cathartic sewing projects.
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Thanks, Anna. I could totally see you rocking a little swing jacket!
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Awesome jacket! Your mum looks fab and I love the lining and the pleat! So sorry to hear about your Grandma. Tough times x
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Thank you so much- I appreciate your kind words.
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This jacket is gorgeous! You are such a star to make this for your mum.
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She’s made me lots of cool stuff over the years, most recently a stained glass window (!) so it’s the least I can do. 🙂
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Cute jacket! Your mom looks lovely in it. Sewing has helped me through some sad times too…it’s great therapy I think.
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It is great therapy, isn’t it? And cheaper than a shrink! 🙂
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Oh this is perfect on her! I love the fabric. I totally agree, stitching is very therapeutic. I’m convinced it releases some hormone in the brain akin to being in a rocking chair. That’s why I sometimes sew right before traveling (which stresses me out).
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That’s really smart… my pre-traveling sewing is usually some sort of manic last-minute “wait I totally need a new outfit!!!!!” spree. It NEVER ends in a finished garment. 🙂
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I love this jacket. You’ve made quite the gem for your mom. She looks so great in it. The color really is fun and happy.
My condolences to you and your family.
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Thanks, Melizza. I appreciate it.
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So cute! I’ve thought about making my mom things but she sews too (she actually taught me) so she could always sew them herself. She mostly quilts though and always has difficulty with fitting in clothing, so maybe she’d like it!
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