Brodace Jacket Finished!

It's amazing! But yes, it really is finished already,  Even with as slow as I sew! And all those seam finishes, too.  New Look 6920 on Zelda:

 

 

The sleeves were supposed to be 3/4 sleeves on the pattern but once I got those cuffs on they turned out to be full length. I actually prefer them this way.  

the back view

 

A view of all the finish work.  All the seams were treated with a Hong Kong finish, including hem and sleeves.  It looks so neat and tidy inside.

 

A close up of the finish work on the shoulder seam, collar.

 

 The pattern itself was well-constructed and the instructions with very concise.  There were no duh moments; just followed the directions and all went well.  The lower front bands are cut on the bias, as is the collar, but unlike the collar, they are not interfaced.  I did have a little trouble with them trying to twist out of shape.  But careful pinning,sewing and gentle pressing kept all in alignment. All in all I'm very pleased with how this project turned out. It was a big step up for me in several ways and quite the learning experience but not an unpleasant one.  I've mastered Hong Kong finishing and learned to the rudiments to handling brocade.  This is only the second jacket I've made so I still feel like there's a lot more to learn about their construction before I feel accomplished in this.                                                                    

 

As a P.S., I have to say that I was watching and being greatly inspired by the Great British Sewing Bee that  the whole sewing community is abuzz with while sewing this.  The show is so charming, the people so lovely you feel as if you know them. You can't help but watch and get up and go sew.

New Look 6920 and Adventures in Brocade

After a long absence from from blogging but not sewing, I thought it was time to get in here again.  No time like at the beginning of a new project.  On the machine now is New :Look 6920.  I've had this pattern in the stash for years ( It's copywrited 2009.  Yikes!)  I bought it for the jacket, view D: hip-length, princess seams in the bodice, tie front and 3/4 sleeves.  It's time has finally come.

I'll be using this brocade:

I got it for this jacket (probably around 2009 or '10 also) Fabric.com. so it's been ripening in fabric stash for a while.  I just love the play of the light on those blue, silver and gold geometric shapes. 
I've never worked in brocade before so this is a learning experience.

The jacket pattern is unlined but obviously I don't want to traipse around with fraying seams.  I doubt I have the ability to draft a lining for it; and it calls out for something more formal than serged seams.  So with the help of my trusty Vogue Sewing manual, I'm going to use organza Hong Kong seams.  Another new skill for me to learn.  I cut my strips tonight.  Tomorrow I start sewing.  Wish me luck.