BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!!!FINISHED FEARLESS FEBRUARY & CAMERA WOES...

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE:  After a heartfelt speech (no accusations), just a plea for help to me FIND my camera  - it was returned to me at the end of my second class on Friday.  Love is restored, and this just teaches me to be more careful in the future!!!

...Well, I finished my Fearless February project on Sunday evening.  Although I so wanted to post pictures of it then, I waited until I wore it for the first time today.  Now I wish I had taken pictures on the dressform - maybe I'd still have my little baby point and shoot camera!   Yes, you see, my little Cannon Powershot all of a sudden GREW SOME LEGS and took a hike today.  I'm about as mad as that lion in the picture looks right now - but must move on.  So I'll be posting these cell phone shots of my finished project.

My little infinity scarf from 2011 and the taupe mock neck sweater paired up nicely with my jacket.  Thanks for the idea Cecil!

I'm trying hard to crack a smile although I'm steaming mad about my camera.

A student inspired pose

Now for my little summary of the project:

• I keep saying - "IT TOOK ME A WHOLE MONTH TO FINISH THIS JACKET!".  I started on January 19th (felt I needed a head start), and finished on February 16th.  But the truth of the matter is, I rarely worked on it at all during the week, but rather spent entire weekends with this step by step tailoring endeavor.
• I LOVE THE JACKET!, and wish that I had made it a long time ago.  Thanks to the Fearless February Challenge I finally decided to whip it right up (yeah right).
• It was a real labor of love.  You know me, I do not like projects that take over a week to complete.
• I think it fits WONDERFULLY!  It is so comfortable too -  not too snug nor is it pulling anywhere.  I had good driving range while wearing it (something I'm always concerned with).  Who wants to drive in a straight jacket???
• I LOVE THE COLOR, and am glad I chose it rather than the rust, black or camel alternatives that I toyed with.
• I searched for buttons like a mad woman, but could not find any that I liked that were the correct size locally.  I finally (at the last minute) had to break down and order the ones that Erica and Lori used on their jackets from Mood.  But I'll tell you what, if I EVER for some reason decide to get rid of the jacket - I will be removing and storing the buttons in a very safe place.
• The sleeve construction (which was a scary area) went so very well - I am completely happy with them and will be hand basting all set in sleeves from now on.
• As for the collar/front facing/lining attachment method (the other scary area)- OMGoodness!, I've never liked it, and probably never will.  If you sew one minute stitch past that DOT (you know what I'm talking about), the collar is a mess to turn.
• (Scary area #3), the button holes were not that bad at all.  The fabric was so very thick that I chose a #16 denim needle that worked like a charm.  The button placement (getting them aligned properly) was another story however.  After removing and resewing three of them several times - I just let it go cause I needed to finish this thing up people!
• While finishing up I remember thinking "well this one pattern I can trash cause I won't be making it again".  But on second thought, I've been toying with the idea of making it again but going strictly by the pattern instructions rather than incorporating any tailoring techniques just to see how long it would take to construct.  Alas, this is one of those MAYBE ONE DAY thoughts.

I think that's about all for my summary.  Now it's time to round up all the pattern pieces, get them safely tucked back into their envelope and move on to some of the simpler things of life - like some instant gratification sewing!

Now just a few shout outs and I'll be done.  Thanks to:

• Victoria for sponsoring a challenge that took me out of my comfort zone.  (Though I'm about ready to get back to it for a while)
• Erica and Lori for making jackets that inspired me to make mine
• Ebony for the fabric
• My sister Pat and niece Brenda who helped me with initial fitting efforts
• Rochelle and Cecil who helped me tween with email pictures
• Everyone who comment and cheered me on, especially my Mama...

Sounds a bit like an Academy Awards acceptance speech!

...

I'd love to tackle two big projects during Fearless - February (F-F) that have been on my sewing back burner for a very long time.  But since I sew much faster in my mind than I do in reality, I think I'd better concentrate on just one of them for starters.  No need in boggling my mind anymore than necessary.- right?

My (F-F) project is - oop Vogue 2873

a pattern that I've had for a long, long time.  I've often wanted to make it, but was fearful that I'd be able to pull it off.  Why fearful? - I really don't know - just fearful.   But when I saw the jacket made by Erica and then by Lori, I was ready to kick fear to the curb and go with what my Grandmother taught me - that being "NOTHING BEATS A TRY".

Last week I chronicled some of my progress, but the project actually started the week before with the preparation of the fabric.  Lori mentioned that she had washed her wool blend fabric by accident; I washed mine on purpose.  I'd had the fabric four or more years - gifted by my fabulous friend Ebony; but it felt stiff as though it contained some sort of sizing so I decided to wash it.  I pre-measured and found that I had 9 inches to play with.  After laundering in warm water (yes I know it was risky), and drying on medium I was left with a much softer piece of fabric and only 2 inches to spare.  Thank goodness I still had enough for my pattern pieces even after lengthening the body of the jacket 2".

Friday evening was spent removing a great deal of the fusible tricot interfacing that I felt made the jacket too stiff.  On Saturday I rolled out of bed and rolled into the sewing room where I spent the ENTIRE day working.  Got the lapel and collar taped and padded using that wonderful serpentine stitch that Erica mentioned.  WHAT A TIME SAVER!!! 

Shaped the lapel

and the collar

Taped the front edge along the seamline

Got the pocket flaps made and stitched on

and finally got it to resemble a jacket.  Funny thing though, I got the muslin to fit just fine, but found the jacket to be a tad too large - go figure!  Especially since I'd already jumped the gun by finishing  and stitching the pocket flaps on - which by the way I'm NOT going to remove.  I'll just make a fit adjustment in the back princess seams.

Now comes the scary part - attaching the collar and inserting the sleeves - uncharted territory.  I'm taking a deep breath and I'll use the following quote and a prayer to see me through...

Lastly, I'm coupling the Fearless-February sew-a-long with SewMuchTalent's Stash Smashing month long challenge since I'm sewing from my stash...

NOTHING TO FEAR...

...

I've joined in on Victoria's (TenThousandSewingHours) Fearless February Sew-A-Long.  It challenges sewers to step outside their regular comfort zones.  I must admit that I sometimes get caught up in a sewing comfort zone.  So I joined the sew-a-long:

• to honor Victoria's very first sew-a-long - congratulations Victoria!,
• because she's a home Georgia Girl, and
• because it's high time I shook things up a bit in the sewing room.

My project will exercise (and hopefully expand) my existing tailoring skills. As far as tailoring is concerned,  I've actually not done any since my Lady Grey jacket back in 2010.  I've  used a few techniques on projects here and there,  but it's been far too long since I've made a structured jacket.

The sew-a-long doesn't actually start for 5 more days, but I thought I'd better get a little head start since February is a short month.  Last week I prepared my fabric, traced the pattern, and started fitting a muslin.  It's been an emotional roller coaster already because I really thought I wouldn't need to do much fitting.  Is being able to make up a pattern straight out of the envelope too much to ask???  I guess it is!  I actually considered dumping the whole project at one point, but have since decided to press onward.

I woke up early this morning and after 5 hours of diligent work,

• was able to finalize my muslin (or at least get to a point that I thought was workable/wearable).

• layout and cut my fabric

•  and now I'm actually involved with thread tracing.  Yep, that's right, thread tracing 16 pattern pieces.  Thought I'd finish this part tonight, but mmmmmmm I don't know about that since I've got 10 more pieces to go.

 
Its gonna be one of those labor of love projects that I hope won't take as long to finish as that Lady Grey jacket did.  Maybe it's a good thing that I'm getting an early start...