Introducing Steffi

Shoulder Pads, Buttons, and Yarn, Oh My

After modeling my jacket in class, the other students and our teacher checked the fit and pinned in the side back seams to be taken in another quarter inch, which I did when I got home. I got my buttonholes and buttons finished in class. I decided to cover my own buttons and I really like how they make the jacket look polished. I never thought I would add shoulder pads, but they really help with the pouf of the pleated sleeves. I covered them with the lining fabric, so they wouldn't stand out so much. Once I tack those shoulder pads in, this project is officially done!

I finally got my KnitPicks yarn yesterday too. The color is much different in person than it appears on the website. It's much more turquoisey-green. I think I like it enough to keep it. At least I Could wear what I knit with the jacket since it matches the lining! Ha!

Sleeve Kissing

I worked on finishing up my jacket most of the weekend. All I have left are the buttons and buttonholes and I decided to leave those for class on Tuesday night. To put the shell and lining together, I used the kissing the sleeve technique that was taught by my apparel construction teacher. Matching center back and all other applicable seams, the shell and lining are pinned, right sides together. Matching the underarm seams, the sleeves are pinned and sewn together at the cuff edges. One sleeve (typically the left one) has a seven to 10-inch opening to turn everything right side out after sewing is completed. That open seam is then machine stitched closed. It was a neat trick that worked well and I was glad I didn't have to do any handsewing. So far, I love how the jacket is turning out and I love how the lining contrasts with the grey wool.

All I Need is Sleeves

Steffi Progress

I cut out my pattern pieces and fabric over the long holiday weekend. I had to do some shortening of the pattern, but that was it. The satin was tough to cut out because it shifts and stretches easily. I started sewing the jacket together in apparel construction class last night and got as far as putting the fronts, backs, and pockets together. So far, so good. I also learned a fabulous tip in class calling "kissing the sleeve." More on that later, with pictures.

New Projects

I ordered some KnitPicks Shine Worsted in Reef for the Rebecca sweater. It's pattern number 20 and has a relief stitch pattern. I wanted to try the new GGH Tara yarn, but I couldn't find it for sale anywhere. Hopefully, the yarn will get here sometime next week. I haven't worked on any knitting since finishing the Alexi cardigan earlier this week. I must say it's awfully strange to go so long without a knitting project!

My Textiles class had a field trip to the Pendleton Woolen Mills Factory this morning in Washougal, WA. We went on a tour of the mill and got to see wool being processed during the carding, spinning, and weaving stages. We also saw products like blankets and fabrics being finished. It was really interesting and informative. Lots of crazy huge machinery. There's also a store on site with a lot of discounted merchandise, including fabric. I bought about four and a half yards of this grey wool for my next apparel construction project, a jacket. It was only $3 per yard! I was thinking I'd use the remaining fabric to make some matching shorts, so I'd have a suit of sorts. As my lining fabric, I picked up this Michael Miller Disco Dot satin from Bolt. The Steffi jacket pattern is from BurdaStyle. I'll spend the holiday weekend cutting out my pattern and fabric pieces.