February 6, 2010

TRUSTY TNT PATTERNS YIELD NEW OUTFIT...

QUESTION??? Just how many times do you have to use a pattern before it becomes a TNT, two...three?

This week I worked on this Butterick Blazer. A week to make a slightly tailored TNT blazer is not really that long at all. But, if that is true, why does it seem that this project took way to long to finish? I didn't do a muslin because it was my second time using the pattern, and because Lisa help me fit the shell. That part was actually done two weeks a
go and after that I put it aside and took time to make the matching pants to finish out the January pants sew-a-long. I worked on the jacket a little every night during the week. I worked out any problems that I experienced by sewing in my mind while at work. DO YOU EVER SEW IN YOUR MIND? I incorporated some minute tailoring techniques in the garment. I made lined faux pocket flaps; trimmed the lapel and under collar to achieve just the right amount for proper turn of the cloth; used armo bias strips to ease the sleeves, inserted sleeve headers and shoulder pads, and topped the whole project off by using hem tape on the jacket bottom and sleeve hem. Of course the jacket is fully lined. I started to add pad stitching to the under collar and lapel, but opted to save that for another project. I am quite pleased with the jacket so here is a picture of my finished garment.


There are flecks of red, teal and beige mingled in this tweed fabric. I have a slightly charmusey (made up word) like teal fabric that I will use to make a top for this suit, and there is still a pencil skirt to come from the same fabric. Might as well stitch it up next while the machine and serger are already threaded with brown.

So on with the matching tweed skirt....

38 comments:

  1. Anonymous2/06/2010

    Your jacket is beautiful and what a great testament to what you can do by working a little every night on a project.

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  2. Faye... that jacket is the ultimate... love the color, the style, the jacket is too sharp. I also sew in my mind while at work, hoping that when I put foot to pedal all works out as I envisioned.

    As to how many times a pattern must be used to become a TNT, I am not sure... looking forward to other commenters response.

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  3. I love your fabric, and the jacket looks beautiful :)

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  4. Nice jacket! I like the color and I know looks even nicer on you! Thanks for the earlier comment. It's been a blog-heavy day for me (taking advantage of the time--not that I don't have other things to do) :-)

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  5. That jacket is TDF, it looks very tailored, you did an awesome job. I sew/knit/crochet in my head all the time, good to know I'm not the only one lol.

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  6. I love that blazer, very chic. And the suit will be great too.
    Yes, I absolutely sew in my mind. Particularly when I'm supposed to be sleeping and get kept awake by my active "sew-crazy" brain.

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  7. What a beautiful jacket! You did a fabulous job on it! And the teal charmeusey fabric really brings out the teal flecks in the tweed. Can't wait to see all 4 pieces together.

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  8. It's fabulous! You did an excellent job.

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  9. Yes, I also sew in my mind! And I design in my mind. And I make up words like "charmeuse-y", but not quite as clever. I might make up one called "chartreuse-y", though, inspired by Miss Faye. :)

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  10. Wow! I love this jacket, looks like a nice ensemble. Can't wait to see i all together.

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  11. Ms. Faye, That is a gorgeous jacket. I say if you used a pattern three times, it's a TNT.
    ;-)

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  12. Oh my~!!! What a beautiful jacket! It's going to look awesome all together!

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  13. The jacket looks great. The suit is going to be very nice when you finish the other pieces.

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  14. Beautiful jacket Faye, it looks all nice and professional. I can't wait to see it all together.

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  15. What an amazing jacket! I'm excited to see the rest of the outfit.

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  16. You say that you are "quite pleased" with this jacket - you should be estatic!! It's absolutely beautiful, a real expertly made classic. I love the style and the fabric is gorgeous.
    I am always 'sewing in my mind', especially if I wake up at night!

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  17. I am quie pleased with your jacket. I love the color and the charmussy teal is going to bring it up a notchhhhhh!
    How many times can you use a pattern before calling it a TNT? I say 3 times. The first time you work out all the major fitting issues and the end result is a jacket you can live with. The second time you tweak any minor issues you had with the first jacket. The third time is just a matter of choosing the perfect fabric to get a jacket you are pleased with.

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  18. Beautiful jacket Faye, another one looking forward to all the items together.
    And at the moment I'm more sewing in my mind than in reality.

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  19. Beautiful! Looks impeccably tailored. The roll of the lapel is fabulous.

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  20. Great looking jacket. You'll enjoy wearing it, I'm sure.

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  21. Beautiful! I am always a sucker for a fitted jacket.

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  22. my gosh lady! You are one super star seamstress! Your jacket is impeccable!! You are going to have the greatest 3 piece, well 4 piece counting the top, suit!!! You'd pay a fortune for that in a store, that is if you could even find one as beautiful and well made.
    I sew in my mind almost more than I do for real!!! I design, sew, redesign, etc.... in my mind all the time. Mostly at night when I'm trying to go to sleep, I lay there and think about what I could have done differently, what I want to do next, how I can do it better, etc.....

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  23. Anonymous2/07/2010

    Faye, another winner. I just love,love your style, and the time you put into your work.I wish you much happiness and joy in your sewing.
    Lots of love, mama.

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  24. I sew in my mind constantly, which is why it is always jumbled up! Your jacket is really, very pretty and I love brown with teal. It's a beautiful combo.

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  25. So beautiful and classy, Faye. Love the roll on the lapel and the fabric.

    DO I EVER SEW IN MY MIND? Sometimes that's almost all I do in a day if I'm working on something I've forgotten how to do or is new. It's a main part of the process! If I don't do it I mess up.

    this new jacket shows you've spent the time working the mental angle as well as the stitching angle. Gorgeous!

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  26. Anonymous2/07/2010

    This is SO beautiful. Though you MUST take pics of you wearing it this week! And pics of the details! This is beautiful enough that it warrants two posts. ;)

    I'm trying to finish a jacket that has taken me weeks to complete. They are so time-consuming, aren't they? My opinion is that a pattern is TNT the 3rd time you make it. I totally sew in my head, too! I'll even bring patterns instructions along with me when I know I'm going to have a wait somewhere so that I can "sew in my mind". So cool that you do the same!

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  27. Faye, that jacket is so beautiful. You did some excellent sewing. I sew in my mind too.

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  28. Awesome awesome blazer...beautifully tailored...what to go!!

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  29. Very sharp jacket! It has a great tailored look to it.

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  30. WOw! Faye you really made a beautiful jacket... looks like it came right out of Macy's or something!!
    I think I've been looking at your blog for about 2 yrs now.. and your skills have grown so much! keep it up!!

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  31. Beautiful! What a great color combination with the teal.

    Glad to know I'm not the only one who sews in her mind!

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  32. Okay, I have one word for you: GORGEOUS!!!!! You have done a beautiful job on this jacket and the matching pants too. I think I might have to add this jacket pattern to my list. Very nicely done.

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  33. Beautiful jacket Faye! I always say 5 times. You are there already! Can not wait to see you in it.

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  34. Fabulous jacket, Faye! As others, I can't wait to see the whole ensemble.

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  35. This is a lovely jacket, Faye. The teal blouse will set it off perfectly.

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  36. Beautiful! I want to echo the others in that I'd love to see pictures of you in it once you have the other pieces all put together. :)

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  37. This is coming out nicely. Can't wait to see the finished product.

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