Truly beautiful fabric paired with a great pattern can create wonderful statement jackets that add colour, sparkle and versatility to any wardrobe. This fully lined cropped jacket created with this gorgeous silk taffeta from Fabriclore is one of those pieces!!
I wanted to create something special with this beautiful Jacquard Banarasi silk taffeta from Fabriclore . I chose a simple cropped jacket design so it would be the feature garment no matter what I paired it with. This fabric comes directly from Banaras (Varanasi). It is a gorgeous fabric that incorporates zari design elements directly into the taffeta silk. The antique pewter motifs are meticulously woven into the floral design that becomes the showcase for the fabric itself. This fabric is traditionally made for sarees, but I have created a modern interpretation of this incredible traditional ethnic wear fabric.
The fabric itself has good stand so it offers crisp lines and styling. Due to the nature of the woven design it definitely needs to be lined. The texture of the fabric and the complex patterns woven into it create many loops of thread on the reverse side of the fabric that without lining would make a garment look unfinished. The origins of this weaving technique date back to the sixth-century and it remains one of the most popular types of fabric to this day.
I had enough fabric to self-line the two front bodice pieces with the fabric itself. I liked the idea that if the jacket hung open you would continue to see the fabric on the inside. It creates a nice finish as well for the collar and button placket. The back and sleeves are lined with a white poly-blend lining.
To line the jacket I simply cut out two jackets. As mentioned, I cut two additional front bodice pieces from the fabric. The lining of the jacket is cut 1 1/4 inches shorter than the bodice so that it is not folded double when hemming the jacket. I did the same with the sleeves, but the lining is only 1/2" shorter. Once the collar was constructed I slipped the lining into the jacket, securing the back lining under the collar. I tacked the shoulder seams and the side seams so that the lining wouldn't shift in side the jacket.
To create this delightful jacket I used the Pattern Scout pattern because of its minimalist styling and the classic lines offered by the collared version, available with the expansion pack for the pattern.
This is a truly versatile pattern! It an be sewn with a woven fabric such as denim, twill, linen, corduroy or as I did here ... silk taffeta. It can also be sewn with a medium weight knit fabrics that has low stretch. There are many different kinds of fabric offered by Fabriclore that you could choose from. There are funnel neck and hoodie options as well as a zippered closure. This one pattern can almost single handedly provided you with all of your jacket needs.
I am so pleased that the finish product is what I had imagined. This jacket is a wonderful addition to my wardrobe and I think it will be a great statement piece to wear throughout the spring and cooler days into the fall. It will be fun to pair it with a more formal sheath dress or trousers for fancy occasions and just as easily feature it with sneakers for a more street style look.
If you would like to order this fabric or any other fabrics from Fabriclore use this link and the code FABLOUISE for a 10% discount off your order.
After all.... There is Sew Much To Design,
Happy Sewing,
Lou Sheffer
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