Sienna Makers Jacket

Holy Smokes! I made a coat! A jacket, actually, but it is like a coat! This jacket is a first for me for a few reasons.

• Reason 1. Umm It is a jacket… sewing game leveled up!
• Reason 2. A new to me designer.
• Reason 3. Said Designer is expanding their size range deeper into the plus size market.
• Reason 4. My first time sewing Flat Fell seams.
• Reason 5. This is the first time I’ve sewn for a designer when I didn’t see pictures from any other testers during the process.

Did I mention that I made a coat err.. jacket!!

Let’s talk about the Sienna! The Sienna has just released from Closet Case Patterns. The design was inspired by vintage French workwear. This jacket is super comfy and I am really happy with the outcome. That being said, there were a few adjustments made to the pattern after my test. The shoulders were moved in slightly and the sleeves were slimmed down a bit. The center back seam was shaped a bit to reduce the bulk in the back. These adjustments have improved the overall fit and feel of the Sienna and I can’t wait to sew up a new one!

The Sienna comes in 3 different lengths and several options for each of them! I sewed up the mid length. I loved the drop shoulder style of this jacked with the notched out collar detailing. I think that collar really adds a professional look to the garment. Can we also take a minute and talk about the pockets, huge roomy pockets and lots of them! I sewed two giant pockets on the outside and one on the inside! I added a front chest pocket on the outside too! There is even an option for sleeve pockets!

I sewed up View B with the non-pocketed sleeves. Overall, the pattern sewed up neatly. The directions with photos were well written and easy to follow. Like I said before, this was my first go with Flat fell seams and I am happy to report that aren’t difficult at all. They are a little time consuming, yet, so…worth…it! Flat Fell seams are a neat and tidy way to finish seams and are perfect for this unlined jacket. If you aren’t aware, flat fell seams are the seams you see on your jeans.   

The jacket is held closed with an attached belt. It, too, was easily constructed with only fabric, interfacing, and a set of D rings.

Here is the pattern info from the website:

Sewing level: Intermediate

Sizes: 0-20 and 14-30  (see our sizing chart here)

Finished measurements: Sizes 0-20 here and Sizes 14-30 here

Instructions: English & French

Print at Home File (Letter & A4): Sizes 0-20 (36-46 pages), Sizes 14-30 (46-56 pages)

Copyshop file (36×48 / A0): View A & B (3 pages), View C (2 pages)

If you are interested in sewing up your own Sienna Maker Jacket here is the link.

Eleanor Cardigan Hacked to a Jacket

Eleanor Cardigan to Jacket Hack

I am not the least bit sad to see Fall coming to Ohio. The temperature is bouncing between the 70’s and 80’s.  I have been hiking and geocaching mostly every weekend and enjoying the weather. It has felt wonderful to get outside and enjoy nature. The cooler temps in the mornings and evenings are already hinting towards the need for a jacket. When I was picked to sew up and share this amazing fabric I thought I wanted a fitted blazer/cardigan that I could throw on when it got cooler out, but as I got to working on it, it turned into a zip up jacket. So let me share all the info with you.

Fabric first-

This print is called Supernova and the base is Liverpool. Liverpool is a semi structured knit that is perfect for blazers, cardigans, pants, jackets, skirts, dresses and even tops! I have used Liverpool for every single one of the garments and have loved every single one of them! I like that it has a “bumpy” texture and people always want to touch it. It is considered a structured knit which makes it perfect for beginner sewists. It cuts and sews easily with either a sewing machines or a serger. I love that it doesn’t roll up or shift around when stitching it. So Supernova is from Sly Fox Fabrics. Sly Fox has a great selection of all sorts of fabrics and they ship typically within 1 business day which is hard to beat, but important to me. I love that in every single order I have placed with them, they have included a color catcher sheet for washing, a print out of exactly what I ordered, washing instructions and it’s packed neatly when I open it. Customer Service is uber important!

Now for the pattern. Eleanor is a great cardigan pattern because it is easy to sew and well drafted so it fits nicely. I planned to use it as a base for a cropped Liverpool Cardigan. I figured I would wear it over a tank top and jeans and it will look nice. I cut the pattern to my size and according to the directions. I knew I wanted a hood and I planned to line it with a solid black Liverpool. Originally, I thought I would wrap my seams with a seam tape to cover my stitches that would connect my hood to my jacket. The pattern calls for a band to finish the entire front edge from the hem to the hood. So initially I sewed my hood on with the plan to add a band. When at the last minute, I decided I was adding a zipper in place of the band, I had to make some adjustments. I seam ripped off the hood and placed both layers right sides together then serged around the front part connecting both layers and hiding the front seam. Now I reattached the hood with black thread to match the lining so it wouldn’t really show when I wear the hood down. Next came the zipper. Now had I planned this better I would have cut the length of my jacket to be a normal length of a zipper. 27 inches isn’t normal. I needed a 27 inch zipper. I did some minor fudging and I made it work while making a mental note for the next time. I added this super cute zipper pull to my jacket because some days you need a little reminder.

A quick hem of the bottom and the sleeves and some simple top stitching along the zipper and I am calling this beauty finished! I absolutely love it! Now I want to make all the jackets and sew all the zippers! Have you sewn a zipper yet? Let me know.

I love the hood lined in black!

If you have enjoyed reading my blog, please let me know. Leave me a comment and click the like button! I would be thrilled to see your comments.

Do you love this pattern too? Here is my my previous two Eleanor shares

My original one in sweater knit.

This one in light purple modal.

Here are your links.

Women’s pattern link

Children’s pattern link

And this amazing fabric is from Sly Fox Fabrics.

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