Ginger Made: Simplicity 1430 Blazer

November 13, 2014 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , 93 Comments

Hi, dudes! Hope you’re all well!

I’m going to be honest: this project was a bit of a slog. After I finished my Ginger jeans, I’d planned to move on to more fun autumnal sewing, but I made the mistake of peeking at my UFO pile. I felt guilty and decided to finish up some projects before starting something new. I muslined this blazer back in April for an event I wanted to wear it to, then realized after cutting it out that were too many issues for me to make the deadline, so I bagged it and forgot about it. Do you ever do that? I’ve found that last-minute deadline sewing usually results in a UFO for me (read: the swimsuit that I cut out the night before I left for Iceland… yep, that’s still unfinished), so I’m trying to avoid it from here on out. It never ends well!

Simplicity 1430 | Ginger Makes

The pattern is the blazer from Simplicity 1430. I’m not surprised that it hasn’t popped up on many blogs (or even on Pattern Review!) – if you look at the pattern envelope, the details are obscured by the print the jacket is made up in, and they’ve filled in the line drawing with the same stupid print so you can’t tell what’s happening! Silly!

I cut out a size smaller than my measurements indicated since this style is so relaxed and made a quick muslin. I liked the overall fit, but the sleeves were really baggy, so blended from the size 10 at the underarm to the size 4 (the smallest size). Here’s where I got annoyed: the blazer is unlined (not a huge deal, but I don’t love drafting), and doesn’t include a back neck facing (um WHAT?!). The instructions want you to clip into the collar, turn the edge under between the clips, and turn under the neck edges of the front facings and topstitch all that down. I can’t for the life of me figure out what the benefit of this finish would be. It’s weird and ugly! When I figured out I would need to draft so many pieces, I jumped ship on the project and moved on.

Simplicity 1430 | Ginger Makes

Please ignore the dopey t-shirt… you get a lot of dumb free tees when you work on set!

Once I picked this back up, it wasn’t very hard to draft front and back lining pieces. I added a 2″ pleat at the center back for ease of movement, and a 1″ jump pleat at the hem edge. I’m always nervous about ripping my linings! I drafted a back neck facing and then sewed it all up like usual. Since I cut out all the shell pieces so long ago, I didn’t remember that the collar and undercollar are cut from the same pattern piece. If I sew this again, I would cut a two-piece undercollar on the bias, and I would shave off 1/8″ for turn of cloth. I didn’t think to do this and it annoys me, argh! I also didn’t consider the fact that there aren’t any pockets in this pattern until I was too far into the project to bother with them, but I wish I’d gone back and added them. They’re just nice to have in a blazer, and when I wear this, I keep reaching for imaginary pockets! One final weird thing is that the instructions tell you to understitch everything to the facing below the waist, but the jacket wants to roll open, so you end up with visible understitching. Strange.

Let’s move on to a happier topic: fabric! I almost certainly would’ve left this project for dead if it wasn’t for the special fabric. It’s silk noile, and it was a gift from Carolyn. We were at Mood together one day, and I was admiring a wool crepe in a similar color when she offered to send this to me. She included the matching lining (it’s so pretty, ack!!!) and it makes me smile and think of her when I see it. I’d never seen or worked with silk noile before. It has a slubby texture, almost like a raw silk, but it’s kind of spongy instead of slick or slippery. It’s really fun and super easy to sew. It has a relaxed hand, and really works well with this slouchy silhouette.

I really like the shape of this blazer, but I’m still kinda irritated by how much work had to go into it to make it wearable. But, I did get it in a $1 sale when I passed a Jo-Ann’s in my travels, so I invested much more time than money in it. I bought two copies so if I ran into a major sizing issue, I could just cut into the second one and I’d only be out a dollar. I didn’t need to do this, so I added the second one to a swap pile and Suzanne picked it up and made an AWESOME buffalo plaid blazer that I really wish I could have (it’s unblogged, I think, but you can see it on her Instagram, @sewyorkcity). So there’s great potential in the pattern, again, if you don’t mind doing a little work.

Simplicity 1430 | Ginger Makes

I’m not 100% certain how to style this, and it’s definitely not my favorite garment (it’s kind of plain, but not plain in a goes-with-everything way). But I’ve been wearing it and I’m just glad to get it out of the UFO bin! I’ve been guilty of some major sins in that department in the past, but I’ve just finished up some mending and repairs and now things are pretty manageable. Phew! Now I can start in on fun stuff!

Tell the truth: do you have a pile of unfinished garments haunting you? Or do you finish everything you start? Any tips for those of us that struggle to finish things?

93 responses

  1. That fabric is SO something Carolyn would have – meaning, it’s gorgeous! And I can only imagine how amazing it feels in person! I just love that color on you, it’s so bright and happy 🙂 Yay for kicking that UFO in the butt and showing it who’s boss!

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  2. I quite like it, possibly because that’s the most amazing colour!! Silk noile, you lucky thing! One tip, don’t cut the undercollar narrower, make the top collar deeper. People always take off the undercollar, but the collar is designed to be a certain size & have a certain fall, & cutting the undercollar affects that. As for UFOs, luckily I went through the cupboard last week & sorted them, my problem is the mending pile….

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  4. That’s a beautiful colour!!!! That shade always makes me so happy. I hope you do get lots of wear out of it now that you’ve put in the work.

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  5. That colour is gorgeous! And the lining is so fun. I don’t really have ufos. Purely because if I get halfway and hate it I usually turn it into something else instead. Clutter stresses me out so I try not to have too much hanging around. My mending pile on the other hand is always out of control!

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  6. What a gorgeous color! I can see why you were moved to get it out of your UFO pile. It looks great on you, and I bet it feels amazing to wear too.

    I love silk noil – it dyes up beautifully. I used it a lot in my fibers classes in college. Thanks for reminding me of it – I bet I have some stashed away!

    As for my UFO stash – there is always something in it. Mostly it is mending, but in the past I have been guilty of doing everything short of hemming or installing a zipper to garments I’m working on. I’m trying to be better about that though!

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  7. Lovely jacket – the fabric is gorgeous! Sounds like it was a bit of a headache at times, but you have a very cute blazer at the end of it all! 🙂 I only had three UFOs to date and just finished two of them off, it annoys me no end to think I’ve wasted fabric and time on a project and don’t get the chance to wear the thing after all! There are times though when you just need to walk away for a bit and find new energy 🙂

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    • You’re so responsible! I need to be better about not starting things and leaving them unfinished… it’s pretty bad. But I agree that it’s better to walk away for a while when you’re really frustrated!

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  8. Love the color… I couldn’t resist and peak at the whole pattern… (to see what you meant by the drawings) I would have never bought it for the blazer (but then I do not wear blazers in FL) the pants and the top included also have a lot of potential.

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  9. Glad you saved it from the UFO pile, it’s a great blazer. I used to be pretty good about finishing everything, and mostly working on one thing at a time. Lately, not so much. I’ve got several things going, and it’s kind of stressful. I think I need to go back to my old ways.

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    • It is stressful to have a lot of loose ends, isn’t it? I’m not sure why it bugs me so much, but it makes me feel really chaotic and stressed. Gotta stick to the one-thing-at-a-time strategy!

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  10. I really like the colour of the blazer, glad you could save it from the UFO pile. My UFO pile isn’t terrible, I think I have 3 things in it. But seriously. I have a top that I make LAST November and it still just needs to be hemmed (by hand so I get lazy).

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    • Hem it, girl! The nice thing is that when you finally finish a UFO, it feels like such a quick process to a new garment! I felt pretty stupid when I pulled out a top that only needed 20 minutes of work… it had been sitting there for a few months! Dumb!

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  11. That fabric is gorgeous, and the blazer looks great. Very well made so worth the work it sounds like you had to do.

    I definitely have UFOs. I try to keep them down so it’s only one or two. The main one is a silk skirt I started but stopped because the silk was a hassle. But I need to finish it soon.

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  12. Very pretty fabric, it does add to a nice slouchy look. So cute on you! Glad you are tackling that UFO pile! I just have a few UFO’s, one major one is my BBW jeans project!

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  13. I love your blazer, and the matching lining. I want to make a blazer. It’s on my list to make. I even have fabric for it, but I plan on making a coat next.

    UFO! I’m usually good at finishing my makes. The one time I tried to sew in bulk, I have 6 UFOs! 3 shirts, a Lonsdale, a Thurlow shorts, a belladone! One day I’ll finish it. Ha!

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    • Oh man, that’s a daunting list! But you can do it! I made the same mistake one time and thought, oh, it will be so easy to sew efficiently if I cut out several projects at once. Nope! Just makes you feel really unorganized and messy!

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  14. your blazer is lovely! i never would have guessed that collar detail would emerge from that pattern :p. i’d wear your version with black skinny pants + black top to let that colour stand on its own–its gorgeous! 🙂

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  15. What a gorgeous colour and that lining – beautiful! To be honest, I don’t really do UFO’s but I do have one – it’s a dress and I just can’t get the fit right. I’ve muslined it twice and then gave up. One day I’ll pick it back up again.

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  17. I only finished everything I started my first year of sewing (not counting things cut out and never sewn). Then I read someone’s blog who questioned UFOs and stated that they were “liberated” to start any number of projects. That post really opened my eyes to the wonders of having multiple endeavors, to my great dismay. I have UFOs from last summer and last year’s winter! Once upon a time, I came on your blog and discussed my many UFOs. You gave me the push to finish them. Thanks!! I wrapped up several projects but then went back to my wicked ways. Umphf!

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    • It’s so hard to stick to finishing projects when there are so many appealing new things to start! I’m trying to finish something before I start a big new project, even if it’s just some simple mending. Gotta get that pile down!

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  18. the colour is wonderful on you! it was well worth the effort i think. i also hate when patterns don’t have all the pieces i want them to have, but i am always way too lazy to draft them myself and just move on to the next project…

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  20. Hooray for finishing UFOs! And I totally agree with you about last minute makes- THEY NEVER END WELL! I think it’s the slowest lesson to learn about sewing and hell I still attempt them now even though I have well and truly learnt it the hard way!
    That colour is amazing on you. I think this would be nice styled so many ways. Mabel skirt, relaxed tee and heels in the evening would be super cute. Or just over a simple black dress?
    I have never come across that type of silk before but it sounds lovely to work with and to wear!

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  21. Love how the jacket drapes and I think a big part in it plays the lining – wonderful job drafting it very toughtful adding the pleats! Good thinking reducing the fulness of the sleeve, attenuated the “original 80s” vibe and made it now. I actually like the way you styled it here a pair of jeans, a tee and sneakers – it’s perfect

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  23. I love silk noil!! And this color is pretty dreamy – I can only imagine how lovely this must feel to wear… sigh… And huge high fives for tackling your UFO pile!!

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  24. I love that lining fabric! I would walk around all day like you in that 3rd picture showing it off. I also love how you said it wasn’t that hard for you to draft the lining. Impressive! I hope to get there someday. For me it would be like designing the space shuttle! Congrats for picking the project back up. If I ditch a project to tackle later I usually won’t!

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    • Heeheehee! Do you think the neighbors would think I was trying to flash them? Drafting a lining really isn’t too hard… you lay the facing pattern over the shell pattern pieces and just trace what’s left over… not bad!

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  27. I love the color of this jacket. This looks really good on you. Let me know if you want styling suggestions, I would be happy to my a inspiration board for you. 🙂

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  29. I really like the shape of it – but after reading your review, I will leave this one to much more advanced sewists! I have so many UFOs that it is embarrassing – not necessarily sewing one, I seem to finish those but knitting ones, and it is the same you have no idea where you are in your decreases/increases etc and you have to frog and start again… argh! Well done you for finishing htis one, I am sure you learnt a lot from it…

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  30. This is a great blazer! Since it was a UFO/slog, maybe you’ll see it differently after a little time in the back of the closet – come spring, I could see you grabbing this to throw on over jeans, etc.

    I actually have my first official UFO as of this summer. Normally, if a project isn’t going well, I decide it’s a fail and move on (I’ll disassemble if I think the fabric can be salvaged or toss if not). But I was working on a maxi sundress which was coming out great, but as summer was ending and I was still spending too much time fiddling with it while really needing other clothing, I decided it will just have to wait until next spring/summer. Right now it’s sitting in a drawer with nothing else; it’s own personal purgatory.

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  38. I’m always impressed when people finish UFOs. I confess if I really aren’t enjoying something or it is turning into a disaster I just move on. I’ve probably got about 2 UFOs. Sometimes putting things away makes a big difference as you come back and it doesn’t look so bad after all.
    With knitting, I just set myself a goal or x rows per day – it’s easier than sewing!

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  39. Your blazer is what my Victoria blazer would have looked like had I kept to the original hipster pattern! I think you can definitely pull off the style and as Roisin says, I bet you’ll wear it a lot come spring. The colour suits you too and I LOVE the lining! Re UFOs, I hardly ever have any, I either finish projects or abandon them completely at the (very rare) muslin stage. That’s probably me though, I love ticking things off on lists! x

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  40. Oh man, do I ever have a ufo pile! (Although to be fair, it’s more an alterations and mending pile…) I’m thinking I really need to sort it out – may have to make a rule for myself that I have to clear something from it before I start each new project…

    I love the colour of your blazer – with the relaxed cut its like an awesome version of an 80s style 😄

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  41. I think all of your hard work was well worth it! What a bummer about the pocket though! But seriously, what company doesn’t automatically draft pockets for a blazer?

    I’m pretty good about UFOs, but I do have a dress languishing right now. I don’t like the way the collar came out and need to take it apart. I don’t wanna!!

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    • It’s SO hard to motivate yourself to fix something you don’t like! I’m trying to get better about powering through problems as I come across them… it’s WAY harder to fix them after you’ve finished!

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    • The good thing is that I definitely learned a lot more about blazer construction in the time between when I started and when I finished, so my finished garment is way nicer than it would’ve been if I’d finished it in April!

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  44. Yahoo for finishing it off. I think it’d look amazing with some light denim distressed jeans, converse, and one of your cool “on set” tshirts. I can only imagine what you were thinking while making it though, some of these big pattern companies really piss me off. 😉 I like your knitted cardi too, but feel the “I’m not diggin’ it vibe” from your pics. Well, if you made everything absolutely perfect and spot on to your taste where would the challenge be? 😀

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  45. Silk noil is such a dreamy fabric to sew, right? You look so cool in these blazers. I’m still thinking about that By Hand London blazer you made–a similar style? I think I have that pattern and am tempted to pull it out! But gosh, it is a slog to work through a project that was started earlier. I’m trying not to rack up UFOs.

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  46. You did a great job on this jacket. I was considering buying this pattern, as I really hate lining things. And look for jacket patterns that don’t need a lining. Thanks for your honest review. After reading the issues you had with it – I’ve decided to pass on this one.

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