Don’t Laugh!
Don’t laugh-this is my next garment project:
Given my recent debacle with the infamous Cape Caper, you might think I’m crazy. But seriously, I am jumping right from the cape to a Chanel-style jacket. It will probably take a year for me to make given my schedule with all things quilt-related, but I have always lusted for a Chanel-style jacket.
I found this fabulous wool boucle on-line at Fine Fabrics of Santa Barbara. It’s so wonderful-beautifully woven and in a lovely color palette that will work with denim, black, off white, tan, brown or blue. I think it’s versatile enough to go dressy or casual and the wool is very light and won’t smother me. Perfect!
I’m lining it in a luscious blue silk with a bit of a lavender undertone. The silk is a custom-dyed French silk that was $50/yd and GUESS WHAT! After I took my Valium and placed my order, I received a call back from Fine Fabrics. It seems that the silk is a bit faded along the fold. They never sell damaged fabric, so my choice was to take it for free or choose something else. Hmmm-I’ll take it!
I am thinking I can figure out a way to work around that fade. The only place where I will need a wide section of fabric would be the back and there will be a fold there for ease of wearing. I’ll have to see it when it comes. Of course if it’s noticeable I will choose another fabric.
I took a trip to San Francisco on Tuesday to Britex to get chain, true grosgrain, silk button hole twist and buttons. I’m pretty pleased with my haul.
One thing though: somehow I have to figure out a way to not make it a Ladies That Lunch Jacket-ewww! I need to give it an edge somehow to make it read more like the Lady That Got Kicked Out of the Ladies That Lunch.
But there is a bigger picture here. I really messed up on the simple cape, but I am not going to let that deter me. I have actually made some exquisite garments before and I know I can again. I will go slowly, get lots of help from my fabulous Am Sewing Guild garment group and eventually have a fabulous Chanel-style jacket that fits and is versatile-whooop!
Lovely jacket! You could butch it up with silver chains or skull buttons! Great score on the silk, if it doesn’t work as the lining you can always quilt on it. Can’t wait to see the progress!
Yeah, I have those lovely buttons that I got for the jacket, but something edgy might be just what I need! I looked at Google images this morning and fell in love with the fringed edges so I might just go with that, no buttons.
This is going to be gorgeous, Jenny! You wanna be the Lady-Who-Got-Kicked-Out-of-Lunching-With-Ladies, huh? That’s too funny. Get a tattoo — then you can wear whatever you want and still look like a bad-a$$. ;-)
May not get the tatto but maybe I need to LOOK like I have one, giggle!
Beautiful fabrics and that silk is gorgeous! I would venture that the fold/fade will be avoidable. And you could always create a seam in the center back (rather than placing it on the offending fold) and use the questionable area in the sleeves. Some of the very “Chanel” characteristics may have to be modified to update…..number/type of pockets, length of sleeves (longer?) and conservative(?) buttons/trim. Just my humble opinion from one who owns more black leather cycle jackets than any other kind (and one in ‘camo’ for variety, but it does sport the Harley eagle in beading on the back!!!!)! Will await your posts on this one!!! Hugs…….
I am hoping to not seam the back lining. If I go to the trouble to make a Chanel I hope it’s “flawless”-hah! Yes, I am definitely not doing the 4 pockets, just 2, think I’ll go with long sleeves. Ah, the black cycle jacket-the Chanel of the motorcycle world!!
Ahhhhhh, aren’t you the “fashion-savvy” one!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!
Use the faded crease as an opportunity to insert some handmade (you can crochet it!) edging or tatting. Looks like it will be wonderful. How about exposed seams and fringe those? or make some fringe and insert it into the seams? Lots of opportunities. I’m jealous.
Thanks for those ideas! I do think fringing will somehow be a part of this. I have to wait until I get my fabric and play with it to see how it fringes. I think this fabric was basically woven to be a “Chanel” so it will probably produce fabulous fringe!
I also hope to do this type of jacket in 2013. I have several pattern choices in my stash & a couple of fabrics that would be perfect. The typical round neckline is not the best look for me so I’m planning a V shaped neckline instead. I will use the construction techniques outlined in the many articles in Threads magazine I’ve gather over the years.
Your lining sounds glorious. My solution to the large piece needed for the back would be to have a seam at the center back. I usually need that pattern change anyway in order to make an adjustment for “high round” at the neck base. It helps make a custom fit you just don’t find in RTW.
It will be fascinating to watch your project unfold. Now I’m going to search for all the supplies for my version.
Imagine, you having fabric in your stash already to do a Chanel-style jacket!! Anita is doing one too so maybe we can have a Chanel-off with our jackets! Truly though, mine will be awhile in the making. I have cruised the images and I love the v necked version-would look great on you! Oh, we could all have LUNCH in our LTL jackets, giggle!
Beautiful fabrics! It will be fun to see what you come up with!
Thank you! Now I wish it was instantly done-it’s cold today and it would be fabulous to pop on my Chanel jacket!
The fabrics looks really gorgeous, I am almost tempted to do some garment sewing myself. I gave it up years ago as fabrics were getting hard to find and quilts took over my life haha.
Oh do try garments again! It ‘s all about fit-if there is an American Sewing Guild close to you, see if there’s a garment group. And yeah, I know about quilts taking over….
Chanel type jacket articles I’m studying:
#128 has Shortcuts to a Designer Jacket touting Less Time, Less Handwork & Less Fabric.
#121 features Susan Khalje’s Inside a Chanel Jacket if you want to take a couture approach.
#23 June/July 1989 has a cover story by Claire Shaeffer – The Comfortable Side of Couture.
Yes, I am a Threads devotee. I do have every issue from #1 in numerical order. I know Jenny understands the bean counter mentality! LOL
You, Threads devotee-who knew?? I don’t think I have all of these, may have to borrow from you. I do see that some research is in order though-thanks!!
Jenny,
I think you can access Threads articles online at Taunton’s website. These would be worth printing.
Love the fabrics and I’m looking forward to a non-comedic post of your brilliantly executed progress.
Giggle-me too! And I DO hope it’s non-comedic!
I’m in love with your boucle fabric. As to ways to pimp your jacket, possibly you could change the position, shape, or angle of the pockets. Or you put more of a curve or angle on the bottom of your front opening sides. Of course that would depend on whether such a look would be flattering. Finally, you could use more than one type of button. Just gather up your courage and make that first cut.
Thanks-isn’t that fabric fabulous?? I am going to look at the different permutations of the Chanel and see what might work. The pockets are definitely going to be reworked.
Dear Jenny
Is it possible to have the code / other details of this chanel fabric ?
I would like to purchase it at Fine Fabrics but I cannot locate it in their site.
Thank you
Kristi
Sorry Kristi-it’s been awhile. But Fine Fabrics is very good with helping you-call them, tell them what you’re looking for and they will guide you.