Simplicity 2313

I enjoyed the opening sentence to this morning's article in the NYT..."The most psychologically correct holiday of the year is upon us."  A Serving of Gratitude Brings Healthy Dividends   Sort of explains my good mood this week.  There's so very much to be thankful for in my life....friends, family, health and well-being.  Not that I couldn't find plenty to gripe about but why bother when I can focus on what's awfully darn terrific today.  One of those things is my finished jacket.  Hooray, I'm really enjoying how this one looks.  A little too warm and humid to be wearing it yet in SW Florida but that will change in month or less.  Here's my official review:

Pattern Description: 

Pattern Sizing:  6-24, a versatile wide range of sizes

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Quite easy to follow directions, especially for the princess seam pocket and separating zipper, my very first.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I like the collar with drawstring and the in seam pockets.  It’s a sporty but nicely finished jacket.   

Fabric Used:  This was a “free” jacket…everything came from my voluminous stash.  The fashion fabric is a poly rayon home dec fabric.  I bought it because it looked rather Chicos-like.  I didn’t have enough for the collar or front facing so I used a damask black rayon from Fabric Mart for those parts.  The cord is some navy flat cording that I had purchased at the PA Fabric Outlet when I was on a small purse making binge about 10 years ago.  The plastic navy 22” zipper came from the same store when I must have purchased a handful of zippers for a few dollars.    

I’ve been interested in making this pattern ever since I saw the other three finished PR reviews for this jacket.  Each review was flattering and so different that even sewers would not guess that came from the same envelope.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I had a friend help fit my muslin for me.  Ended up removing some swayback fabric and back princess seams and also raising the neck ¾” by adding shoulder darts to avoid a center back seam on this fabric.  Did a D cup FBA on the front and added about 2” more to front full tummy area.  That area still needs tweaking but for my first 2313 jacket I’m pretty thrilled.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes, this pattern is going to enter my TNT list.  I’ll try a fully lined version and a very lightweight linen one.  The pattern says it’s suitable for fleece but I think you’d still have to be careful about the weight or bulk of the fleece you select.  I do like the idea of making a fleece vest with those pockets and cute collar.

Conclusion: Versatile pattern with clever design details.   A winner in my pattern library

Clever collar ties

Sam and Lucky admiring the inseam pockets

I've been cleaning out my closets this week which is also a good exercise for feeling "lighter" about life.  I'm getting rid of a number of capri pants which I bought when we first moved to Fl 8 years ago.  Yes, they're worn by many other middle-aged women like me but they are not a flattering look on my body.  For public occasions I'm better with a full length look in pants or a skirt or a knee length skirt.  So I've spent a day cutting out some more pencil skirts in colored stretch wovens from my stash.  I'll wear them with knit tops, just like I did with those capris, but the proportions are much more feminine and flattering for me.  Since Mr. Lucky is painting my sewing room next week, these skirts will be easily portable to sew on any sewing table surface.  Looks like my next jacket project won't be until December.

In the meantime, I hope my USA friends enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  It's just the two of us this year which is fine by me since we've been quite social already this past week.  I will be cooking for us with some yummy sounding Cooks Illustrated recipes....butterflied turkey with maple apple sauce, for one.  Watching the Macy's parade, the smell of roasting turkey, a tryptophan induced nap during football and maybe even a beach sunset that evening, sounds heavenly.  Hope your holiday is as blessed.

Sew grateful,

Jane

Simple Start to Simplicity 2313

A few of you got a giggle that it would be a pin shortage that got me inspired to sew rather than dawdle, cut out patterns or spend hours on my blog reader or Pinterest.  Well, the inspiration for this next jacket came from two reviews and bloggers.  I had already purchased Simplicity 2313...how could I not when I'm sure it was only $.99?  But these two beautiful and dramatically different versions were all it took for me to follow suit.  I wanted a new jacket pattern or two to round out my 2011 JAM plan and Simplicity 2313 seems perfect....casual but some feminine details.

Bunny's wool jersey version    Lori's cotton twill version

Before I left Baltimore my dear sewing friend Michele tweaked my muslin for me and I cut out the jacket and fused interfacing to the facings.   Here are the pattern alterations I had to do to make this one work for my body.

Yes, here's how much extra width I needed

Taking in back princess seams and pulling up for swayback and erect posture

Removing too much hip curve and doing front abdomen adjustment instead

The lower front of this zippered jacket needed a full abdomen alteration.  Michele cut up the front section, avoiding that cut side section pocket area, and pinned the extra width I needed, about 1 1/2 inches per side.  

On my pattern I made the same slash with a tiny side hinge to keep the pattern paper flat.  Center front stays straight on grain and I get the extra width (not length) I need in this area.  

Small side seam "hinge"

If you have the book, The Perfect Fit, from Singer, this is almost exactly the alteration for a very prominent abdomen.  (This isn't exactly what I hoped for when I aspired to be "very prominent" in life:-)

It was a delight yesterday to pull out a plastic 2 gallon project bag and start sewing for about an hour.   There's still cleaning and errand running to do here but I'm getting to enjoy a new sewing project and that makes it all worthwhile.  

Two fronts sewn so far...here's one to show you.  I'm making version B in a poly rayon lightweight home dec fabric.  Very easy princess seam pocket technique that I might use on some other jackets.

And now for something new.  Mr. Lucky made dinner last night, a new to us yummy recipe.  Easy and delicious and very seasonal since it uses acorn squash.  We made half the recipe and enjoyed it tremendously.

Jimmy Dean stuffed acorn squash recipe

Ingredients

• 2 medium acorn squash, cut lengthwise in half, seeded
• 1 pkg. Jimmy Dean® Hot Pork Sausage Roll
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1½ cups soft bread crumbs
• 1 cup packed baby spinach, chopped
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

1. Place squash, cut-sides down, in 13x9-inch microwaveable dish; cover. Microwave on HIGH 10-12 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly.

2. Meanwhile, cook sausage and onion in large skillet over medium-high heat 8-10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently; drain. Return to skillet. Add remaining ingredients; mix well.

3. Turn squash halves over; fill with sausage mixture. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes to heat through.

Cook’s Tip: Prepare using 1 pkg. Jimmy Dean® Sage or Regular Flavor Pork Sausage Roll.

Yield:

Makes: 4 Servings