This post needs a huge sub-title: not everything that I make works out.  Every now and then I like to push myself out of my comfort zone a little with the styles that I sew.  Just because something did or didn’t suit me once, it doesn’t mean that it won’t suit me (or not) now!  So I gave Vogue 1130 a go.  It’s a DKNY jacket, recently out of print, and it only has two reviews up on Pattern Review.

I rather enjoyed sewing this. The fabric is a knit jacquard from Darn Cheap Fabrics. The overall shape is loose through the shoulder and body, but fitted across the bust and through the empire waist. The skirt pieces are given fullness with loads of tiny tucks.

There is also super clever shaping that incorporates front and back princess seams with underarm gussets. And the front and neckline bands are very nicely shaped too. It is unlined, other than the inside waist piece, and closes down the front with snaps. I used my overlocker for most of the construction, but basting and stitching in the ditch done by machine.

Overall this was an enjoyable sew. I really liked the jacquard fabric too, although it wasn’t in my usual palette. Once I finished it, I put it on. Yes, it fitted. But I looked SO middle-aged and SO dumpy and SO frumpy! Absolutely not the style or the colour for me. So I gave it to my much taller friend Rachael (who has been the happy recipient of some of my other makes in the past) who also has quite different colouring.

Despite not feeling very comfortable with modelling for the blog, she really likes her new jacket, and I have seen her wearing it in public more than once! The blue/purple colour is just perfect for her eyes and skin and hair tone. So I’m glad that I did give something out of my usual comfort zone a try, even if it didn’t work for me.