Cordova jacket – retro fitting

You might remember a couple of weeks ago, just as the mercury plummeted and the winds picked up, I finished my wool/cashmere and silk lined Cordova jacket .

 

I really like Leith’s and Andrea’s Cordova jackets. They had noted that the pattern ran large, but I didn’t size down as they suggested and I wasn’t totally happy with my finished look. It probably didn’t help that the fabric was quite thick. Lovely and warm, but fairly bulky. I asked for some advice on reducing the puffiness in the shoulders. I got some lovely feedback. Teresa of Navybluethreads said she liked the eighties look 🙂  Andrea of Wrenstitcherey suggested weighing up the benefits and difficulty of attempting such a late change. I decided to give it a go.

I detached the lining from the lower edge so I could turn the shoulders inside-out. This was fairly easy because I’d slip stitched the lining to the outer by hand.

 

I unpicked the top half of the armscye and re-pinned taking about an inch out of both the sleeve and the body/shoulder at the top and grading it into the existing seam at the lower half of the armscye (if that makes sense). I pinned, basted and then machined and trimmed the new seam.

 

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I didn’t make any adjustments to the lining, figuring a loose lining would be ok.The sleeve pleats remained but were reduced. Here’s the finished shoulder seam.

I’m much happier with the jacket now. It’s still roomy and that’s good for wearing with jumpers. The puff and the width across the shoulders has been reduced. It was worth persisting with. I think I’ll get more wear out of the jacket now. Out and about here in Canberra I’m wearing it with my grey Tessuti ponti pants and a red Sewaholic Renfrew  top (not blogged) made from a beautiful modal from Addicted to Fabric. I’ll definitely make the Cordova jacket again. I think it would be nice in a tapestry/brocade. What do you think of the Cordova make-over?

 

Details Pattern: Sewaholic Cordova jacket Outer fabric: wool/cashmere from Clegs Lining: silk satin scraps, originally from Tessuti Notions: two part zip Modifications: reduction of the upper armscye.

 

Did you see another interesting post last week on why we sew? This time from Sarai. I found myself agreeing with much of what she said, creativity, appreciation and community. I also really like learning and improving my skills and love the quality and the fit you get when you sew your own.

 

I’ve linked this post up at Sewing Saturdays, see what everyone else has been making this week and also Visible Monday!