Kennis from Itch to Stitch has been really busy recently – she hast been working on not just one, but four (!) new patterns simultaniously! And the best thing: They go together really well! I like multi tasking, but I applied for testing just two of the patterns, specifiying that I probably had enough just testing one of them. And Kennis was so kind to let me test exactly the pattern I liked most – the Salamanca Cropped Jacket. I have made several blouses and skirts, but never a fully lined jacket, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity for me.
And I was pleasently surprised to realize that sewing a fully lined jacket isn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Or maybe Kennis gives really really good instructions, I’m not quite sure. Anyway – I sewed the jacket without making a muslin first and without making any changes at all in a straight size 00 with an A-cup. Since I am quite tall the jacket is on the shorter side (it’s supposed to hit just under the waist), but since it’s a cropped jacket it doesn’t matter. And personally I like the shorter version, it has a young and fresh look.
I had some troubles finding the right fabric, since I didn’t had the time to order something and there isn’t a lot to choose from locally (but it gets better!). After buying a fabric in one store I found another fabric store several hundred kilometers from where i live. It’s not even an actual fabric store, I think the lady who owns the clothing store at the street level sews a lot for costumers and the fabrics she has upstairs are somehow the “remnants” of her business. But I found some real gems there, at affordable prices. At least here in Norway: I thoght about 6 USD for a super soft viscose fabric was an amazing deal! =p
I also bought two more fabrics for the jacket and went with the thinner one of those, which has some great stripes. And it goes SO well together with the lining! I am really in love with this fabric combination. Luckily i bought 3 meters of the fabric I used for the lining, so there’s enough left for more projects. The jacket looks a little stiff in the photos, but I assure you, the lining is so, so soft, has a smooth finish and drapes beautifully. I would like to pet it, all. the. time. And at work I take of my jacket and lay it beside me in a way that the lining is clearly visible.
But enough about the fabric and back to the design itself! It’s a raglan style jacket with a yoke and a high-low hem. The original does also have six buttons, but I decided to skip them, since I feel that this also makes the jacket look younger. This shows me, on the other hand, also how many women could be interested in this pattern: Make the jacket a little longer and with buttons and you have a much more classic and mature look, make it shorter and without buttons and the look is very different. And don’t get me started on how many different fabrics you could use and how they change the look! One tester made the jacket in double gauze and I absolutely love the result!
Kennis designed the jacket in a way that the lining is sewn to the jacket at the bottom and at the sleeves, and after that the yoke is attached to both the inner and the outer fabric of the jacket. It made things really easy, the only thing you have to remember is the sleeve length. It’s not so easy to try the jacket on properly without the yoke, but you can’t shorten the sleeves easily after attaching the yoke.
Oh, by the way, did you think that I have edited the background out of some of my photos? Nope, I’m just standing in front of a giant pile of snow!
– This blog post contains affiliate links, however, all opinions are, as always, my own. –
This is amazing! Your lining is absolutely beautiful.
Thank you, Rachel! I am in love with this lining, too… 😉
Love the fabrics you chose, great make!
Thank you, Helen! I am so glad that I found some fabric I liked!
Just gorgeous – love the fun lining and the big snow pile!
Thank you! We have enough snow over here, without a doubt! 😉
I love your version of the jacket! I was on the fence about it before, but after seeing yours, I am convinced. I agree, the jacket without buttons has a completely different and youthful look 🙂
Thank you! I am glad you like it and that I could show how different the jacket can look, depending on the fabric, the length and the buttons! I am too young to wear “traditional” jackets at work (at least I feel like that…), but styles like this work great for me!
This jacket is awesome! You made it so that it suits you perfectly!
Thank you so much, Rose!
Lovely! I really like it without the buttons and may copy you.
Thank you! Looking forward seeing your version!
Your jacket looks amazing & I love the pile of snow backdrop!!
Thank you, Charlotte! =D You just have to use whatever advantages you have! 😉
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