Friends, the jacket is finished! I'm still a bit bleary-eyed this morning but the jacket is ready to roll.
What I like most about the velveteen is its slightly suede-y look and feel. It has more heft and body than cotton corduroy-- not to cast aspersions on Michael's corduroy jacket of course!
The buttons were easy to attach, though I learned (the hard way) that the tack must be pushed through the fabric fully before you start pounding on the button (at least with multiple layers of thick fabric). Otherwise fabric gets caught between tack and button and it won't hold. You don't hammer directly on the button, of course, but rather on a piece of wood, with another piece of wood beneath the jacket. You don't want to damage the button or the jacket.
The inside of the jacket looks clean; I'm glad I serged the seam allowances though it's purely for show; the fabric doesn't fray. Then again, you never know who might be inspecting the inside of your jacket. Luckily, my toughest critics are no closer than Florida -- I think.
I added a back neck facing, so the neck is fully faced. This made the collar easier to attach.
The contrasting undercollar adds a little visual interest; I like it.
I managed to get the sleeve seams and back yoke seam even on either side, a PITA.
Buttonholes came out nice. I realized as soon as I tried buttoning the pockets that I would need to use a larger buttonhole template for the front of the jacket. I'm glad I checked before I made them! Nobody wants to have to wrestle a button through a buttonhole and it would stretch the velveteen.
Overall, I'm pleased. Of course there are some piddly things but aren't there always?
Kind and patient readers, do you have any questions about this project? I'd be happy to address some of them tomorrow.
By the way, right now there are at least four Kwik Sew Western Jacket patterns for sale on Etsy, in both larger and smaller sizes. Worth a look if you like the pattern.
You can follow the drama of this project visually from the beginning here.
Brian of BrianSews made two really useful vintage buttonholer attachment videos last year you might enjoy. You can find them here.
Have a great day everybody!
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It looks awesome, and fits you so well! I can't remember, did you need to tweak the fit at all? And did you end up making actual changes to the sleeve pattern or did you just tug and pull to try to get things in shape?
ReplyDeleteThe rear sleeve seam and back-yoke seam on the jackets I made my girls last summer weren't drafted to line up, either. I managed to force it on one, but didn't bother on the other... plain denim doesn't ease partcularly well :P
This jacket came out AMAZING. Seriously, Peter, I want to drive to New York and steal it.
ReplyDeleteI'm locking my door now...
ReplyDeleteDo I have any questions? Well, I would seriously like to know how you got this done so fast. And it looks fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThe jacket looks very nice--good job!
ReplyDeleteAmazing jacket-I am envious.
ReplyDeleteNo questions, but Ido have to comment your jacket looks fabulous! Good job Peter!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! All your choices really resulted in a garment that is both reflective of your personal style, and is a versatile workhorse that you could easily wear everyday. Thanks so much for the construction details, especially for the expertise with top and edge-stitching. Your ability to have individual machines bobbin and threaded up with blue and copper thread makes me jealous. A Singer straight-stitch is absolutely in my immediate future..
ReplyDeleteLove it! Kudos on another fab project, Peter.
ReplyDeleteThat looks incredible! You're definitely keeping me motivated to get my projects finished. What's next?
ReplyDeleteYAY for you! Your jacket turned out great EVEN IF the sleeves were a PITA (I struggled with that, myself, this morning.)
ReplyDeleteSo weird question… do you usually not wear a belt when you tuck your tee into your jeans? (I'm on the pro-belt when tucking team.)
The jacket looks fantastic!I want one...I would like more info on how you attached the buttons. I have not had great success with attaching snap studs, so any help is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job you did! It looks fantatic.
ReplyDeleteOh, forgot to mention: I took two inches off the length originally, but ended up putting one inch back. I also took roughly 3/4 inch off the sleeves.
ReplyDeleteI took about an inch of ease out of the sleeve caps. I basically just take out what I need to fit the sleeve in the armhole, taking most of the ease out of the top and tapering down on the sides.
Great jacket! I heard an interesting tidbit in a seminar last week- the seams on back yokes and sleeves, or side panels and sleeves, should not match up because it creates a very weak construction joint. Four pieces of fabric with only thread to hold them together, in a location that gets a lot of movement. So don't worry about matching them up!
ReplyDeleteYour jacket looks great! I love that velveteen. The color is wonderful on you. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteYou look great in it! My other half says it looks just like what he used to wear back then, length just right, colour right, but he likes your fabric better. I'd say you've got nouveau vintage there. I really love the colour of buttons, faux suede and topstitching you used with the blue. Yes, sleeeep, and do some stretches to prevent dressmaker's hunch.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog - and the fact that you just go for it! And, guess what? My mum's 1939 handcrank Singer 99K will take a buttonholer, so say the people on the vintagesingers Yahoo group. Who knew? So, Peter's blog = old dog with new tricks. Ha!
Heather
The jackets looks amazing. Your skills Peter are truly noticeable in this jacket and I am beyond impressed. I am sure that Cathy will be jealous ;)
ReplyDeleteYour jacket looks great. I imagine you will enjoy wearing it. I love velveteen which generally has some body, sheen and softness. You should be proud of your new garment!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful jacket, and the color is perfect for you!!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great!
ReplyDeleteYour jacket looks exceptionally well made. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteCan I buy the jacket?
Excellent choice of fabric and nice detailing.
Bravo!
WOW, Peter!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great finished piece! I love the use of the velveteen.
It's a great feeling to have a piece of clothing that is unique and fits perfectly.
Love it.
Your jacket looks wonderful on you, and you sewed it up so quickly too.
ReplyDeleteHotness!
ReplyDeleteWoow, that is fantastic, and so fast. All your stitching is so neat; I could never straight-stitch like that! Did Michael have earplugs (or a chihuahua over each ear) to cut out the noise of you sewing throughout the night!
ReplyDeleteIt looks sooooo good!
ReplyDeleteOoooh it looks great! Excellent job, I love the topstitching thread colours. Velveteen isn't the easiest fabric to work with, either. I bet you'll wear that jacket a ton!
ReplyDeleteThe most debonair Western jacket I've ever seen. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteThe jacket is fabulous -- I really like the muslin, tho. You should wear it, too. Hard to believe you have only been sewing a year. I've been at it for two, but am way below your skill level!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I ran across you, Peter -- (on PatternReview.com)
It's gorgeous, Peter! Well done!
ReplyDelete"Luckily, my toughest critics are no closer than Florida -- I think."
ReplyDeleteActually, I thought she recently moved to Europe. ;-)
Gorgeous jacket, Peter! Keep that pattern handy because I think you're going to want to wear this one until it's threadbare.
I agree with everyone - it looks fab on you, like it belongs!
ReplyDeleteThis project turned out so well. A really great color choice. You look nice in blue.
ReplyDeleteThere are always little annoyances on projects, but, if you look at your RTW clothes, you'll spot issues, too. I realized that in the past few weeks, and it's making me feel better about my homespun projects, which I tend to beat myself up over...
It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeletePretty!
ReplyDeleteYour jacket looks fabulous! Great work! and thank you for your tips on buttonholers!
ReplyDeleteI have to add my 'wow!' in here too - I can't imagine anything that could improve upon that jacket... perfection! Very envious of your topstitching.
ReplyDeleteDitto, ditto, ditto, DITTO! Love It. And You.
ReplyDeleteWow. If I may say, you look a very guy guy. Cousin Cathy's pouting big time.
ReplyDeleteGreat jacket. I used to think you needed to sew for Kathy because men's clothes were too boring, but that jacket has made me realise that menswear has possibilities. Sort of like classical ballet, which has a limited movement vocabulary but unlimited scope for artistry.
ReplyDeleteDude, you rock, looks great!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your blog for the last few weeks, I had an 'aha' moment and finally got my vintage buttonholer to work on my vintage machine. After rediscovering my fondness for keyhole buttonholes, I have decided my next project will be a jacket, sorely needed. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour jacket looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThat looks fantastic! It's well worth all the time and effort you put into it.
ReplyDeletePeter, as usual it looks great. Enjoy WEARING it! IMHO that's the best part of all.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job, as usual!
ReplyDeleteYou did such a good job. great look on you, too.
ReplyDeleteReally nice jacket! You are so precise and neat at your sewing. The buttons look great, too.
ReplyDeleteYour jacket is a true triumph - it has style and substance. American Apparel must be seriously worried about how many of these you might be capable of whipping up. Actually I rather liked Michael's RTW jacket but it's not a patch on yours!
ReplyDeleteGood heavens...Peter! Enough about Cathy's wardrobe and pattern review contests. Where is Michael's suit? By the way, your western jacket looks fantastic, I'm always impressed by how well you sew having just started in June 2009.
ReplyDeleteTammy, I have to go with my energy. I will sew so that suit, promise!
ReplyDeleteJust catching up. I LOVE the jacket. You did a beautiful job, and it looks fab on you!
ReplyDeleteKaren in Paris
Hi Peter, I just bought the same pattern and I can wait to have a go making it. If I don't do a good kid, I can just say it's, distressed. Haha
ReplyDeleteGood luck with it, Dave!
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