It’s officially the final day, and most of us are starting out still with our Jacket in three separate pieces. The goal is to leave with at least the sleeves pinned in places by Susan – she does this whilst you’re actually in the jacket and I must say – the result is incredible.
Then the sleeve is stitched in – by hand.
The trickiest part is not to catch your lining whilst doing it – I think I catch mine in about three places. ARGH. And all the ladies here are just so lovely and ladylike – that I bite my tongue and keep the swear-fest inside my head. Mum, please skip over this next part of the sentence… but I’m particularly partial to a well-placed f bomb.
And here we are at the starting line:
And you can see once again the handy-ness of uber-wide seam allowances when you’re continuing to refine the fitting as you go, with the changes in seam positions from that fitting.
Popping the jacket on for the first time with the sleeves on, I’m amazing at how snug the fit is, but how impeccably it moulds to my body. It’s a bit like a second skin, oddly! Seeing it like this gives me a fresh burst of enthusiasm for completion :)
Then we’re back to more fell stitching…
And with Susan’s help we pin the neckline to the desired shape (which can change based on how your trim will sit – the trim ‘draws’ your eye and can really affect the neckline positioning) which I stay-stitch and then clip.
As many of the others are leaving this afternoon, Susan talks chain, trim and pocket positioning before we depart at the usual 6:30pm. That night I manage to sew up the lining in one of my sleeves:
The other got completed about a week later whilst watching Project Runway with a few of my fellow classmates from the Couture Sewing School. And the proof of improvement can really be seen here – learning the hand of the charmeuse and how to fold it in under itself to the right degree is something you can only do with practise, for sure. The last half of my second sleeve is a bazillion times better looking than my stitching around the first half attempt! The more pins I used, the better control I had.
From here it’s all pretty much up to me, and there’s still a loooong way to go:
– Sewing on the trim (of which there are three that will join together to make one, and I’m guessing there’s going to be at least 2 passes of hand stitching for both)
– Sewing on the hooks and bars down the front sides
– Closing up the lining around the edges with that ever present fell stitch
– Sewing on the chain along the bottom hem.
That night I start playing with the trim placement:
But for now, it’s getting packed in my suitcase, because I’ll have my hands full with meeting all the fabulous ladies for the Couture Sewing School next week. It will be so delightful to meet in person people who I’ve been exchanging comments with for ever and a day! Not to mention seeing what everyone else is going to be sewing… BRING IT.
poppykettle 
It is just beautiful! Well done to you!
Thanks Amanda :) Finished jacket post to come soon, hopefully!
Can’t wait to see it!
Hi, I hope you don’t mind that I re blogged your beautiful French jacket post! I think it is exquisite !
Wow, it is such a commitment to make one of these jackets. Yours is coming along beautifully.
Thanks Vicki! :)
Melanie, well done. All this learning of new and wonderful sewing skills is going to really change how you make everything in the future. You have done an amazing job and your jacket is going to be so beautiful. Thank-you for taking us all along for the ride. Enjoy the next week and meeting up with your fellow blog friends.
I certainly did, Marjorie! It was one of the highlights of my trip. And you’re absolutely right – I’m so inspired to really try and have everything I make be just that little bit better than the last. Thank you :)
thanks again for these awesome posts! i’ve loved seeing the progress you’ve made. seriously impressive!
Thanks Lisa :) I feel a bit odd posting ‘as it happens’ things like this as I wonder if they’re being too boring! Hopefully I’ll have the darn thing finished really soon! :)
Your jacket is looking amazing Mel! I love the fabric and lining you’ve chosen, Divine! xo
Thanks Liz! You’ll hopefully be seeing it soon at a dinner party near you ;)
Oh my! Such exquisite work. After my workshop the other day I have a renewed interest in hand sewing. This is going to be one precious jacket! :-)
I’m not half surprised… the photos you showed really were incredible and so inspiring. Thank you! :)
You’ve now got such great skills and knowledge!
Thanks Maria :) I’m hoping to sew another jacket for my mum sometime so I can practise them. You don’t use it, you lose it! hehe
That’s true about practise. Your Mum will love her jacket.
BEAUTIFUL! This is going to be fantastic when you finish it!
Thank you! I certainly hope so :)
I can’t wait to see this all finished up and modeled! You’ve put in so much beautiful work!! It’s going to be utterly breathtaking!
I certainly hope so, because the suspense of having it so close to being finished but still so far has been killing me!! Thanks Sallie!
Thank you for taking the time to blog about your class, it has been so insightful and overwhelming! The end result will truly reflect the effort you have put into it. Bravo!
You’re so very welcome, Lee-Ann – as I’ve really enjoyed writing about it! The enthusiasm I have for this class is catching ;) Thank you!
Wow, I really, really love this.
Thanks Sonja :)
looking great Mel! I hope your having a great time over there, Graeme and I will have to take you out for dinner once you get back so you can tell us all about it
Thanks Cara – definitely! Very much looking forward to it :)
Your week has gone by so quickly but what a great experience. I love the trim you have chosen, it looks fabulous. Looking forward to seeing your completed jacket.
Thanks Sandra :) I’m still debating trim options! Soon…
Absolutly stunning. I love the colour! I hope to see pictures soon :-)
Thanks! :)
I have loved these posts. I don’t know what Susan feels about it, but this is definitely advertising! I would never have thought of traveling to the US for a week to undertake one of these classes. But you now have me pining the trip. One day….
It’ll be the best thing you ever did, sewing wise ;) I can’t recommend her French Jacket class enough! Thanks Helen :)
SO great to watch/read this jacket-journey unfold!
This. Is. Amazing. Your work has always looked so precise and now it’s gone up to a whole new unimaginable level! I’m so envious of this class, looks like heaven! Looking forward to seeing the finished jacket!