I couldn’t resist when I spotted this stretch cotton sateen remnant at Spotty a few months back.  As well as being a bargain, I hoped that there would be just enough for a simple unlined summer jacket.  And yes, there was!

The pattern is Simplicity 3874, view C. I suspect that it’s out of print but the google search for it is here and I’m sure that it could be found online.  I’ve made the view B dress before, and would like to give the v-neck dress version a try at some stage too (maybe in something plain to coordinate with the jacket).

This was easy to make.  The sleeves are raglan, and all the shaping is provided by gathering the body of the jacket into the neck band.  No darts, no closures, no buttonholes, no fitting.  The sleeves have a simple band on the bottom.  You do need to be a little careful when attaching the jacket body to the front and neck band, but if you don’t rush it it’s easy to get a good finish. The front/neck facing is top-stitched in place, but if you were feeling keen you could hand-stitch it. I made size 12, as it had plenty of ease.

I used bias binding along the inside hem for a nicer finish, and rather than stitching the hem down I used Vilene Perfect Hem to secure it invisibly (how great is that stuff! I need to source more!).

As with most things that I make, there are things that I could have done a little differently and better, but overall this jacket will fill a gap in my summer work wardrobe – especially once it has that matching dress to go under it! I have a conference to attend in Surfers Paradise at the end of October, and think that this jacket will be perfect.