And then...

So, we survived four days without full power -- two days with partial power from a generator, then two days with zip when the generator went toes up -- and then we decided it was an excellent time to do this:

That's a laundry room after cabinet/counters/sink removal.  And that has proceeded with the usual home renovation fun (insert hysterical laughter here), but I'm sure it will be totally worth it when complete.  And if I say that enough it will surely be true.

But we can't let minor inconveniences get in the way of sewing fun!  And finally, after much dithering around, I got a spring version of Style Arc's Stacie jean jacket finished:

Not modeled, sorry, but then you've seen the autumn version worn, and it fits just the same.  Fabric is a stretch denim, in a lovely shade of green -- how on trend!  Closures are antique copper colored snaps (size 20) from SNAP SOURCE.  As mentioned, pattern is from STYLE ARC, Stacie Jean Jacket.  It is beautifully drafted, and sews together easily.  I took issue with a couple of directions, but I don't want to say they are wrong, just that they puzzled me.  First was the direction to sew the collar pieces together and then top stitch them before sewing to the neck.  I'm not sure how you can easily sew the undercollar to the neck edge along its entire length if it has topstitching already done -- perhaps there's an industry secret I don't know -- but in any case, I top stitched after affixing the collar to jacket.  Also, I couldn't figure out just what was expected to be done to finish off the front facing at the collar edge.  Could have asked Style Arc, they are very responsive to customers, but instead I just turned down the raw edge and sewed it down as I was sewing down the inside collar edge.  Worked, looks fine, no raw edges, happy sewist. 

There has been knitting, but due to 2 million (I exaggerate; it's only 50,000) ends needing worked in it isn't ready for its close up.  This was a re-visit to a former nemesis -- the Heartbeat sweater from Just One More Row.  I think I have ended up with a wearable sweater.  Not sure if I want to go through with explanations of my continuing issues with the math behind this one, but photos will follow. 

Style Arc Stacie

On the sewing front I'm getting ready for spring by trying out a jean jacket pattern from Style Arc -- I'm planning on making it in a nice bright color for spring, but wanted to check the fit before cutting into my lovely orange fabric.  Luckily I had some nice stretch corduroy on hand which will work well in my wardrobe next autumn.

After measuring the pattern, I thought it wise to give myself a little extra room in the bust and the hip area.  The shoulders generally fit well for me in Style Arc patterns, so I left that as it was, and the waist seemed to be good also.  Basically, I felt I needed a FBA (full bust adjustment) and just a scootch more room around the hips.  Adding to the side seams of front and back pieces by tapering out from the waist to about 1/4 inch from the hip gave me a much appreciated extra inch.  The FBA was made by adding slightly to two of the lower front pieces -- again, tapering to nothing at the waist.  The front yoke piece remained the same size.  I think it worked fairly well, and the jacket can be comfortably worn closed should I ever want to. 

Fasteners are from Snap Source -- I used the size 20 (1/2 inch or 13 mm) caps in the antique brass finish.  I really like the ease of applying these snaps, and they come in a wide range of colors. 

This time, the fabric was so 'springy' and thick that I had a little trouble keeping it from shifting while I placed the middle layer of the snap tool on the fabric.  Luckily, I discovered that a pencil could hold the fabric steady while I was doing that, and because the middle layer has a pencil sized hole in it I could keep the fabric held down until everything was securely in place.  Worked a charm.





And here's the jacket being worn, but before I had applied the snaps --

 I think it will be a nice layer for changeable spring weather -- once again, Style Arc comes through!