Pattern review and how I almost ruined New Year’s Eve.

I had this lovely sparkly fabric in my stash (Robert Kaufman Essex Linen) that I really wanted to wear to dinner on New Year’s Eve. Originally, I thought I’d make a skirt but my NYE plans are very food-centered, so I went with a jacket instead.

With two days to go and two yards of narrow fabric, I had limited choices. The pattern needed to be simple but chic enough for a good NYE outfit. I went with the newly released All Well Cardigan Coat, from a fellow Pittsburgh designer at All Well Workshop.

It’s a simple jacket pattern with no armscye. It hits around the high hip on me and I’m 5’4″. They include a robust hacking guide, with over 60 pages of ideas for different options, including pockets.

The fabric I was using was only 42″ wide, so I folded my fabric on the cross-grain in order to fit the pattern pieces. There’s one piece for the front and back, with markings along the Center Front to differentiate. I cut the back piece and traced a copy of the front.

The instructions are beefy and they feature hand-drawn instructions, which gives the pattern alot of charm. I read through them but ultimately went my own way with finishing the neckline.

The pattern, which includes instructions for a couple finishing methods, mainly uses a combination of bias tape and double-folds for the neckline. I really prefer to make facings for necklines and open jackets. They lay flat and look really nice on the inside. I drafted facings for the front and back, finishing the edge with pinking shears and a narrow single fold hem.

I used French seams for the sleeve and side seams.

This is a cute, quick little pattern. I made this in about four hours of work over two days from cutting to hemming. It has alot of ease in the bodice but is semi-fitted in the sleeves.

I cut and prepared patch pockets but I was unable to attach them in time to wear it to dinner. More on that after the pics…

You can tell alot of love went into making this pattern. The hacking guide is a nice touch and it’s quite thorough. You should definitely give it a look!

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Ok, so I hinted at a NYE disaster and I’m here to deliver. It’s not for the squeamish, however! While I was on the last stitch of this garment (a sleeve hem), I looked away from my machine and I accidentally sewed through my left index finger. The needle went through my nail and broke off inside my finger, which was horrifying but it meant I didn’t bleed too much. I had the needle tip removed at an Urgent Care and also got a tetanus shot. Then I came home and finished the project (I was so close to being done)! And I still got to wear it to dinner. Heck, I still got to go to dinner! It was not a fun experience and I got humbled big time. It happened in just an instant. Never take your eyes off the machine!

It’s been over a week and I’m doing well. I haven’t been sewing much while I let my finger heal. I hope to be back at it very soon! In the meantime, I’ve been jotting down alot of ideas for future projects.

Thanks for reading <3

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