So, yeah…not quite sure what to call this thing. I have a similar style shirt in a knit that I purchased. It is black and knit and is a great layering piece. I copied the lines of that shirt, with some additions after seeing this CAbi shirt-jacket:
It really is a nice piece. It is a heavy knit with pockets, detailed cuts and lace overlays. It didn’t fit me exactly as I would like, and oh yeah…it was $148. I’m not saying that it wasn’t worth around $100, but I’d rather not pay for something I can make that will actually fit my body.
I decided to do this moto-style with a heavy cream knit, cream stretch twill, and cream stretch lace. Three different fabrics.
Body: I started out using the pattern I drafted for this princess-seamed shirt, only with some more room as I have put on some weight this winter. I added too much room to the back, unfortunately. The front middle piece I drew out the moto-style overlay and cut two pieces.
Arm: I used an arm from another pattern. The arm was knit, so it was pretty close to the fit I needed. I did cuffs with the stretch twill and lace overlay.
Neckline: I measured out the length of the neckline and then cut the knit that length, and so it would be 8 inches wide when folded.
Back yoke: The back panel overlay I cut after I assembled the back, so it would be the right size.
Yes, another hodge-podged pattern!
I excel at throwing things together and not having any pattern pieces to show afterwards. You know…just in case I actually want to make things again. Good thing I write things down for this blog. 🙂
I had to figure out how I wanted to fix the back, as it was too wide. I could have done a few different things: Do a seam down the middle of the back and take out the excess there, shirr the back with elastic thread, add a casing with thin elastic in it, add a tie, or add a piece of fabric in the side seams to bring it in.
I decided to make some twill tape into a casing with some elastic inside it. I did this on the inside of the jacket.
On my RTW item, there was a zipper. Unfortunately, I did not have a cream seperating zipper, and the roads were absolutely horrible so I was not going to the fabric store. Instead, I chose to put in some big snaps.
Learn from me…interface the fabric under the snaps. This was stretchy fabric, so the prongs pull out when they are pulled apart. I have had to reset the snaps.
Overall, I am pretty pleased with this little jacket, and hope to make more of them!
What a fun piece, great problem solving solution in the back and you are so good with snaps, they look so professional.
Great looking jacket, you have been busy.
I’m going to have to look up twill tape. People mention it a lot but i have no idea what it’s for or what it does.
And I love the jacket. Especially the color 🙂