Finally I have put my fledgling couture skills to good use!
My Mum’s couture cardigan is complete and it had its first outing this weekend.
Some of you will remember that earlier this year I took a class with the Yorkshire School of Sewing to learn how to make Vogue 7975Β using couture techniques and benefit from the instructor Gillian’s wealth of fitting experience.
I was sewing a little black jacket with black grosgrain trim. Well I’m ashamed to say that is still sat at home, 90% complete.
I am not ashamed to say that everything I learnt was well worth it for use on this gorgeous jacket for my mum.
We used white bouclé with multicoloured woven crosses from iconic fabric heaven Linton Tweed; Gold satin lining from Jack’s Fabrics; Gold trim and buttons from Birmingham Rag Market.
These are the skills that were involved in producing this beauty:
- pattern-matching/aligning the colourful woven crosses
- underlining each piece
- hand-basting thenΒ quilting the lining to the shell fabric
- hand-sewing all the various lining seams down
- inserting a neckline stay
- mitred corners
- adding weighting to the hem
- catch-stitching chain in place by hand
- hand-sewing the trim around the edges
There is also a fake placket at the wrists and fake pockets, all decorated with trim and buttons. We also added tiny hooks and eyes to close the jacket but mostly this is going to be worn open.
We divided the work so that I would come over during the day, help as much as I could and then on the evenings I’d leave my mum homework (usually hand-sewing lining). She took the jacket over the finish line by hand-sewing all the trim and buttons. What a super star.
And I think she looks fabulous in it! It’s the perfect length and style for wearing with jeans like she is here, and to pair with dresses.
Taking a class is an excellent way to learn the techniques for making a realistic couture cardigan and Gillian is wonderfully patient so if you’re based in or near Yorkshire she definitely gets my endorsement.
I’ve also heard excellent things in passing about Claire Shaeffer’s new bookΒ with enclosed instructional DVD but have yet to see any complete reviews for it.
If you’re wondering why I keep saying couture cardigan and not dropping the CC-bomb it’s because of this thought-provoking blog post.
And in case you wish to revel in my failure but learn a few things at the same time here are the links for my previous LBJ posts:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Hopefully one day I’ll write Part 4!
AMAZING! I saw the Yorkshire School of Sewing at the knitting and stitching show, I was so tempted by their courses. I’d love to do the pattern drafting one. This is a great jacket, your mum must be pleased!
I’ve done the trouser drafting course. I’m going to be sewing them up over my Christmas holidays hopefully. It was complicated to plot out the pattern but at the end you were woaaah this totally works.
Nice work! Your mum looks fab in it!
Thank you! She’s beaming in it!
Gorgeous! Couture sewing is so intimidating to me. My handsewing skills aren’t that good, so that’s probably why.
My mom looks so happy with the finished product!
Aww thank you! She’s mega happy which makes me happy too. My hand sewing is awful. Handsewing seams isn’t too bad as it’s all hidden away under the fabric, it’s when it has to be on display that my appalling hand sewing skills are obvious.
Wow, lucky mum! What a nice idea to collaborate on it too.
Thanks! She’s caught the sewing bug now woooo.
Looking as fabulous as ever, well done both of you!
Thanks Auntie Sue! Now mum could make one for you π
what a lovely jacket. I especially love your faux sleeve vent. I am currently making Vogue 7975 and was not going to worry about the vent, but now I night indeed look at creating a faux vent – thanks for the inspiration.
Ooh can’t wait to see yours. A faux vent is a good sneaky tip!
Team work really paid off. Loving my new jacket which I think will be so versatile and suit any occasion.
Hope you’ve seen all the lovely comments mum. You’re famous!
Wow! This is lovely! It’s so cool that you were able to make it with your mom! Now go finish your black jacket! π
Gulp. Maybe in the new year?
That jacket and your mum look fabulous! Well done both of you, definitely worth all the hard work!
Thank you! She’s really happy with it so that’s a massive relief to me.
Wowzers!! What a brilliant jacket, and it looks fab on your mum.
Thanks! I love how smiley she is in it!
congratulations. It looks amazing!!! Great fabric choice.
Thanks! It is lovely isn’t it. I love all the various colours in the crosses
Very impressive!! It looks fabulous, and so does your mum. I like the way you worked on it together!
Thank you! We make a formidable team. She’s working on a dress solo now which is exciting. I’ve given her the dressmaking bug wooo!
get you! This is lovely. Lucky mama and I love her leopard belt too π
Hehehe I should have known you’d like that. Thank you! She’s a happy lady which is great
Fabulous jacket! Iβm struggling to find gold chain for the hem, where do you get yours from?