Cynthia Rowley 2443 Jacket!

Finally posting clothing I made! I made this jacket sometime in Feb/March and finally got to taking a picture of it over Memorial Day weekend. The Boyfriend kindly took pictures of 3 different pieces of clothing and my quilted projects and I in turn went on a bazillion mile bike ride with him AND kicked the soccer ball around...twice. I am actually really having fun riding Doris (my bike) and playing soccer though I am really out of shape. The Boyfriend is teaching me all these cool things and I am kicking less like a 5 year old girl. My mother made fun of me when I told her I was learning how to play soccer because when I was 5 or 6 she signed me up for soccer, bought me the cleats, the shin guards, the ball, etc. and after my first practice I quit because the shin guards itched. I still stand by my decision. Those things itched like hell.

Okay on to the jacket! Here is my review from PR:

Pattern Description:

Cynthia Rowley Collection. Misses' dress sewing pattern with knit bodice and jacket or vest. I made the jacket.

Pattern Sizing:

6-8-10-12-14 I used the 10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Mostly, except for the sleeves, but that was my fault.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Easy except for the bottom sleeve band and placket on the sleeves. I had a difficult time figuring that one out.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I liked the casual look of the jacket. I thought it would look nice over printed dresses and skirts. I found the jacket on C.R.'s website (I think) made in leather for over $300. That made me happy

Fabric Used:

A denim much too heavy for this pattern, for the facings I used left-over Anna Marie Horner voile.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I did my normal 1/2" sloping shoulder adjustment. Because there is so much ease in the jacket I didn't have to worry about it fitting around my bust. I flat-felled all the seams that I could (side, shoulder, back). For the pockets I lined them with the voile using the method in the "Complete Guide to Sewing." It was easier than dealing with pressing the denim seam allowances in on the pockets. (I hope this makes sense). THe fabric was stiffer than I liked but I had a lot left over from a previous project and it was $1/yd. For the placket and sleeve band I made some mistakes and had to fix them creatively. I accidently sewed the bottom band on wrong and already trimmed my shreddy denim. I had to unpick and re-sew, but that left me with no place to put my D-rings. I attached a bit of grosgrain ribbon to loop around my D-rings. This caused the band to not be as tight as it should and the sleeves can't be bunched up around my upper arm. Also the denim was so stiff and think I could not set the sleeves. They are gathered, but it looks okay. I pressed the seam allowances away from the sleeve and glued it down with stitch witchery so the gathers would not be as pronounced.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I would love to make it in a linen, but I probably won't. Too many other projects and it is a little boxy for my shape and size. For some reason, probably the fabric choice, the jacket sticks out in the back and does not lay nicely against my lower back unless it is tied or I am tugging it forward. It is either a fit issue or a fabric issue

So I have a question for any experienced sewers out there. I know I cheated and did not get a real picture of the back. I don't think I have rounded shoulders (even though my posture sucks), but maybe that is the cause of the back being so wide and gaping along the lower band? It is very tent-like looking. Maybe the fabric choice? I could use some vertical darts back there. I tissue fitted the pattern, but never made a muslin. I did not have enough fabric to re-cut the bottom band with the amount of the darts removed so I left it as is.

I'm pretty happy with it nonetheless.

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