Thursday 2 June 2011

Kermit the jacket. Jalie 2795

I like to wear neutrals. They co-ordinate, no one remembers them, and they tend to elegance rather than stridency (although are always at risk of dowdiness). Despite this, I have a weakness for bright colours - mostly buying them rather than sewing them! Here is an outbreak from my ancient stash in my least flattering garment category - exercise sports wear, and in thick polar fleece. Might as well be hung for a sheep while I am displaying my backyard clothes ;).

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Jalie 2795, hoodless, shortened at sleeve and hem band and taken in at the waist. Next time I will make a square shoulder adjustment. I have added a contrast facing at the front opening, as the exposed inner zip looks messy to me on the previous garment when worn open.

For a polar fleece jacket, this has a reasonable shape, and looks quite okay in all zipper stages.
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I added a machine embroidery detail to distract from the nightmarish topstitching.
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I do not like it as much as my son's robot alien. Perhaps machine embroidery on polar fleece looks better if you are 8 years old. Seeing as I am often acting like an 8 year old in the back yard I guess this does not matter very much.

I have also added a zip fastened inner pocket so I can carry a key if I wear this out of the back yard.
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My other alterations were to use a double ended zip - due solely to having to order in lots of 3 zips, and to use the constrast lining fabric (cotton lycra knit from a RTW garment I chopped up) for the weltish pockets. As this fabric is a lot more thin than the polar fleece, I wrapped it around a single thickness of the polar fleece before attaching the welts to the jacket front panels.
Unfortunately for my chiffon plans, these photos have revealed to me that I am in desperate need of new jeans. More backyard clothes coming up.

16 comments:

Bernice said...

You've done a great job of your jacket. I especially like the contrasting fabric. Makes it all the bit more fancy. The fit is very flattering. Time to go for a jog so you can show it off!

katherine h said...

I really like this colour and I think it looks great on you...don't save it for the back yard.

Good looking jacket. Looks snuggly too.

Sharon said...

Love the colour and you have made a very stylish casual jacket. Just wait until you see the colour of my next knitted garment, that is bright:)

Kyle said...

I *love* the leaf embroidery on the back!

liza jane said...

I think the shape is very flattering! And I love the embroidery on the back. It adds that something special.

shams said...

Have I ever mentioned how much you crack me up? I love your sense of humor! :)

Anyway, this is a *great* jacket! It looks fabulous on you. I love the "distracting" leaf embroidery, the contrast fabric, the faced zipper, the cropped silhouette, but ESPECIALLY the Kermit color!!!

gwensews said...

That is a spectacular Kermit jacket! Love the trim you chose. Very nice.

Mary said...

I had to laugh at your confession of buying bright colors-I do the same and exacerbate that with bright loud prints. My inner kid gets wild when buying fabric. Your jacket is beautiful-I love that green with your coloring and love the details you added. Nicely sewn!!

Joy said...

The leaf is a fantastic idea! The color and shape of the jacket are all-around very nice. I wear my fleece jacket all the time (mine's a neutral, though, he!).

Mary Nanna said...

That is the kind of garment I just wear and wear and wear - comfortable, fun, with some creative touches - and easy wash and wear! Bet you wear and wear it too...

Joy said...

p.s. Do you mind if I post your bell-bottoms photos in an end-of-contest blog post? If you'd rather not, I can just link to your versions. Thanks!

Audrey said...

This is a lovely jacket, soft, warm, comfortable and in a color found in nature. In the first picture you almost blend into the greenery in the background, and the single leaf motif is so cool.

KathyS said...

There is nothing unflattering about that jacket. I think it looks very stylish and I love the colour and contrasting fabric. Show it off with pride.

Carolyn said...

"nightmarish topstitching" lol! Looks pretty darn good to me! I was planning to comment on how beautifully all your garments are finished when I came this self-criticism...
Looks definitely worthy to venture out of the backyard and showing off. I like the leaf too.

Gail said...

Love the contrasting fabric and the zippers on the inside is great.

velosews said...

This is a great jacket and the embroidery detail is so fitting.