Monday, January 3, 2011

Katherine Tilton Jacket

Despite the difficult start, my jacket is finished. And, I was wrong about cutting the turquoise facing incorrectly as you can see! I'm fairly happy with it. I made the size 8 based on the ease despite the fact that I would normally wear a larger size. I'm only 5'3" and I did not take any length off, yet I wouldn't mind if it were a bit longer. I did take just an inch off the sleeve length.


It has an asymetrical shape with the right side crossing up higher than the left, and the back dips down a bit. It also has a funnel collar which I really like. Katharine Tilton shows this as both a solid color jacket and a silk-screened version. I would like to try the silk-screening at some point. I've not done it before but I think it would be interesting. What I did do to spice it up was face it with the turquoise dupioni. In addition to the front, I also faced the sleeves, rather than turning up the hem. The pattern calls for serging the seams, but I did french seams on the shoulders and side seams and I did a Hong Kong finish with the turquoise on the sleeve.



Lastly for the buttons, I took a black dupioni and the turquoise dupioni. I cut the turquoise into an interesting design, laid it on the black and did an applique stitch to attach it. I then made 3 covered buttons out of it to unify the black and turquoise in the jacket. Apologies for the fuzzy pics. I didn't do buttonholes, because I don't think I will like all 3 buttoned so I think I will do a simple black snap toward the bottom. I like it -- but it still seems as if it needs something to make it pop.


Easy project -- lots of room to experiment.

7 comments:

  1. Very nice work, and I really love those buttons.

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  2. Fran, this is a distinctively fine looking jacket! You look wonderful!

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  3. I just purchased this pattern. I'm so happy to see how you made your jacket. It is very cute. I love the button idea.

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  4. That's a fantastic jacket! The combination of bloack and turquoise is striking. Love the creativity of the buttons. Nice work!

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  5. Yes, that jacket is great on you and those buttons are brilliant!

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  6. Beautiful jacket and how you put it together is so inspiring! You look so elegant wearing it.

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  7. Just beautiful, and you look very elegant. Those buttons are a work of art in themselves!

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