DIARY OF A NOVICE SEWIST: Linen Quilted Jacket
Ayora Jacket by Pauline Alice styled with Crew Skirt by Spektakelstrik and hand knitted Sweater by my aunt Bibi
Ayora Jacket by Pauline Alice styled with Crew Skirt by Spektakelstrik and hand knitted Sweater by my aunt Bibi
Ayora Jacket by Pauline Alice styled with Crew Skirt by Spektakelstrik and hand knitted Sweater by my aunt Bibi
Ayora Jacket by Pauline Alice styled with Crew Skirt by Spektakelstrik and hand knitted Sweater by my aunt Bibi
Before I embarked upon sewing my own clothes a year ago, I (re-)started knitting. But because I am 100% impatient, I was always looking for patterns with thick wool (the thicker – the better to be honest). Until I found Good Night, Day – my personal holy grail when it comes to modern, easy knitting patterns with thicker wool. I just love everything she does! Why am I telling you this? Because a while ago she reposted a picture on Instagram with a jacket I literally couldn’t stop thinking about since the moment I saw it. Obviously, I forgot to save the picture but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t go on a hunt looking for the jacket in the infinity of the world wide web. And – I found it!
I even found the perfect pattern for the jacket- Ayora Jacket by Pauline Alice! I didn’t have to make any changes – it’s just 100% what I was looking for.
The only thing missing was the right fabric. Months went by and nothing happened.
Until I started planning my articles for ‘Diary Of A Novice Sewist’ and started thinking about what I wanted to show you. Top, pants, jacket… JACKET! But wait – it’s going be January when I make it. I don’t need a light linen jacket in January in Austria – I need the warmest piece of fabric to wrap around my shoulders in January! After some back and forth, I settled on FS AGAVE Midweight Signature Finish Linen, made it and I regret nothing!
FS Mid Weight AGAVE Signature Finish Linen
But this jacket does come with a warning. As I made this jacket with teddy cloth interfacing, the layers were very (!) thick and I broke a tonne of needles. Note to self: don’t buy cheap sewing needles.
Alas, believe it or not, I finished the jacket with my very last sewing needle. I did ponder the option of finishing off the jacket by hand, but who am I kidding? I would never have done that (we talked about my patience before).
So yes, it was a wild ride – but I would definitely do it again (maybe with better needles).
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Bussi
Sophie
PS: All photos are analog and made by my super talented friend Sophie Nawratil at Wiener Brockenhaus!
About Author
Sophie Frank
Sophie is a self-taught sewist living in Vienna, Austria. If she's not sewing or taking analog photos, she's probably running after her son. Instagram: @bitte.mach.dasLeave a comment
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9 Comments
Diane Leightman
This is my favorite jacket I have seen in a while! The color is absolutely gorgeous and the inside fabric seems incredible comfortable. I created an account just so I could post and tell you how lovely I think it is. Seriously- SO COOL!!!!
Patricia Cornman
Love that jacket and as I have a large supply of linen waiting to be used rushed right out and bought the pattern. Thank you for the inspiration.
Kate Renwick
The ideas there but Char is absolutely right on the execution. Keep practicing and learning.
Blythe Barbo
Amazing job! And such an ambitious project!!! For me, creating something large enough to go over a sweater would be nice. I have a heavy-duty machine … you’ve inspired me to give it a go! Thanks! It turned out beautiful!
Trish Jakielski
Well done! To create this from a picture you saw – finding the pattern, resources, and figuring out how to put it together with no familiarity with the fabric you were working with, minimal sewing experience, – you have made an impressive (and very cozy looking) jacket. I’ve been wanting to make similar quilted jacket (but not using the difficult but beautiful sherpa – I live in CA so a lighter weight fleece or brushed poly will be better. But I will look at the decisions you made here – e.g. how wide to make the channels of quilting – enough of them but not too many; puffy but you don’t look like a polar bear!
Well Done!
Char Kisch
Wonderful use of linen! I adore the jacket. May I add a hint of tailoring might help…some tailoring stitches, along with some interfacing to the facings on the front, neck, bottom, and sleeve edges. Only to keep the placket areas especially around the snaps straight, to help from twisting, and puckering, not to remove the puffiness. Personally, the sleeves I’d like longer, i can’t tell if you added an elbow dart or not, just a thought for movement. The upper chest looks tight, possibly the sleeve front curve could be adjusted. The front pockets look to be a high reach, nevertheless I think they really add to the style of this jacket. Try heavy duty needles, even the leather ones with walking foot may help, and sew slower than normal. Your totally finished pile lining, attached, was a very good choice. The sewing lines are so cute! Fantastic job! Thank you for sharing your work!
Lauren Gates
Love the feedback Char! You made some good points and perfect guidance for future projects and becoming a more experienced seamstress <3
Karen Mahoney
That is a lovely jacket! I find it so rewarding to make my own clothes–even when I break a ton of needles!
Mary Hansson
Beautiful job! This is a super idea for a winter jacket from linen.