Moving slowly - trim selection - Sue

Everyone is doing a great job on their jackets. I am moving very slowly but have a plan to break this into manageable chunks so that I do, at least, keep moving on it. First up is to find a trim. In my head I pictured a jacket trimmed with Petersham ribbon. However I can only find Grosgrain ribbon and it can't be shaped to attach around the neckline. So on my recent day trip to Brisbane I found this trim (shown on my fabric).

What do you think? I need to call the shop when I have made a decision so that they can post some up for me if I want it.
Next week I am meeting with my sewing guild group and plan to start drafting the pattern. After that hopefully I will start looking like I am getting somewhere...

Me too! Fabrics bought!

OK everyone else is showing their fabrics so I am happy to join in. These are the lining and outer fabrics I bought on my recent trip to Melbourne, Australia.


Both fabrics are silk and I have no idea about trims as yet. I am also undecided about the pattern (even though I had chosen one already!)

I have just (sort-of) finished my first jacket (not part of this sew-along). Photos are on my blog if you would like to see it.

Sue's Chanel Vision....

Well I am actually halfway through my first Chanel style jacket but love the process so much I decided to sign up for this sew along to make another...

The first one is being detailed at my blog -Quiltsewsue.

I am using Vogue 7975 for that one and have decide that the next one I make needs to be a different pattern - preferably vintage (just because I like them).

Looking through my collection I found this pattern in a magazine I picked up at an op shop.

Enid Chilchrist wrote pattern books in Australia in the 1950's - 1960's - I am not sure if they were used any where else in the world. I have one of her pattern books my MIL used to make babies & toddler clothing for my husband (when he was a baby, of course) which was passed onto me and I actually made a few items for my boys from it also (after converting the measurements!)

This magazine has an 'economical suit' for bust size 32-34 inches.

I am one size up from that but the magazine actually has instructions on how to scale the pattern up, so I am prepared to give it a go! You need to draft the pattern yourself from the detailed drawings -


I love these vintage patterns - things like the dart at the shoulder really make it fit well so I am prepared to try and draft it and make a muslin to see how it goes. Then my plan - if it works - is to perhaps lengthen it slightly and make It from a cream fabric with a brown trim (perhaps petersham or a braided trim). I don't have any fabrics yet for this but I am planning a trip to Melbourne so I am thinking if I can find a suitable fabric down there it will be my holiday souvenir!