Pattern: Simplicity 2443 by Cynthia Rowley
Fabric: 2 yards of lightweight denim, leftover scraps of polka-dot stretch poplin for facings
Notes: I know I said I was going to wait on this one, but I loved my dress from the pattern so much that I had to make the jacket right away! I was a little bit intimidated, because I’ve never made a jacket, but it all went fairly smoothly.
I have a denim jacket, but it’s a traditional levi jacket with the heavy hardware, long sleeves etc. I wanted something dressy, so I picked out this lightweight denim (think trouser jean weight.) The color is most like the close-up photos, not nearly as blue as it looks full length.
This is the actual color of the jacket.
I made several pattern alterations before I cut my fabric. First of all, I didn’t want the jacket to be as boxy as it appears on the pattern, so I tapered in towards the waist, ending at the top of the waistband. In all I removed 3 inches of width from that area. I only adjusted the sides, since it was the shape I was concerned with, not the width of the front or back pieces. I also removed most of the ease from the sleevecaps – about 3/4″ worth in this case. I did this by drawing a horizontal line across the pattern piece right above the notches and folding a tuck to take out the depth. That way the cap remains basically the same shape. I have read a few articles about sleevecap ease, and most agree that you need far less of it. I find easing sleeves frustrating, so I’m more than happy to remove the excess – and it fits fine. In fact, I think the fit is better on me, not so puffy (but I do have small shoulders – not narrow, just small – so YMMV on that.) The sleeve went in with no ease stitches at all – a miracle to me! You may notice that I left the center decorative bars off – I thought there was enough going on, but if I made it again I might add them to hide the topof the darts!
I thought the directions were truly excellent – there were many new to me techniques, but they were all well illustrated and explained. I did have some trouble with the placket, but I’ve never made one before – in fact, I had to go look through my closet for examples before I could even understand how they were meant to look! I installed one placket by the instructions, and one with a one piece placket method I found online. The one piece is easier, though a bit thick for my fabric. I would certainly use it for a shirt!
Straight hair today – different!
As you can see, no buttons yet. I’m not sure yet how I want to handle it, and since I’m not closing it anyway I’m not too worried. I’ll figure something out. And that didn’t stop me from wearing it out to my birthday dinner! We went to Proof, which is located downtown on Main at 21C. 21C is an art gallery hotel, and I absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting Louisville – we stayed there for our wedding, and it’s wonderful!
I guarantee you will see this jacket plenty for Self-Stitched September – it’s going to be great for turning my summer dresses into garments appropriate for early autumn!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
It looks fantastic! Your alterations made this already neat design into something truly eye-catching and flattering.
I like your hair straight too 🙂
I love it!! Your outfit is great motivation for me to at least gather fabric for this pattern. I never seem to have enough knit! And your blue wall adds to the chicness!
Great job on your first jacket!
You did such a great job! It looks beautiful and beautiful on you, too!
Very interesting adjustments. (Of course, I am now intrigued by all adjustments, with ‘Fast Fit’ by my side!) It looks super-lovely and, oh no, I feel a new pattern purchase coming on. I would love to have a go at that jacket. No buttonholes to sew! Well done, love it in the denim.
Love the jacket – the whole outfit looks so pulled together!
Looks great! I am not that into denim, but I have to say that this jacket makes me think about reconsidering that. Very nice.
Great looking jacket!
Great job on the sleeves. The one thing I didn’t like about this jacket was I thought the puffy sleeve caps made it look juvenile, far too juvenile for me at 41 to wear and I wear pretty young-looking things.
I love denim jackets and this is one super cute denim jacket. Fabulous!
Lovely jacket and looks great with your dress.
So much inspiration from your sewing – it looks gorgeous – the alterations make it look perfectly fitted. The denim looks great too – like a linen almost.
I think buttons would look very nice – but I know what you mean about keeping it open. It kind of looks like it should be kept open?
What a great jacket! Well done!
Good job on the jacket! It goes very well with the knit dress.
I love your hair straight btw! More straight hair! 🙂
Fantastic iteration on that jacket! I think it’s my favourite so far. Can you shed any light on how you decided to remove the sleep cap ease? Was the design too puffy in the pix or did you measure? Is Sandra Betzina’s (Fast Fit) way of doing it easiest? (someone mentioned it above) or is there a better tute out there.
I think most commercial patterns have too much sleevecap ease. Lots of RTW doesn’t use any ease at all. I wouldn’t remove all the ease on a tailored jacket, but for most styles it works fine. I’ve found that Simplicity patterns in general wind up a little strange around the sleeves if I don’t reduce. I drew a horizontal line across the pattern just above the ease stitch notches and folded out the amount I wanted reduced (I measured the sleeve and the armhole first.) I haven’t used Sandra B’s method, but it looks good also. I like this way because it doesn’t change the shape of the cap, so it goes in a little easier. I hope that answers your questions!
Gorgeous jacket. I absolutely love those sleeves. My challange this week (3 days left!) is to get my sewing room back into working order and get sewing again.
Wow, you are so good at everything you do. A true inspiration.
Love this jacket. It’s perfect for the summer-to-fall transition, like you said~!
I forget if I’ve already said this, but I’m looking forward to seeing your Self-Stitched-September outfits! Glad you’re participating too 🙂
That turned out so cute! I’m very impressed that this is your first jacket – it definitely doesn’t look like it. 🙂
Adorable jacket! I just bought the pattern yesterday….you’ve really motivated me. Please keep blogging….I love it!