Something Old

"Algo velho, algo novo, algo emprestado, algo azul e uma moeda de seis centavos no sapato."~English Folklore, translated in Portuguese 

If you read last week’s post, you’ll know that I made a 1960’s dress for a “Something Blue” themed bridal shower. I loved the pattern so much I decided to make the jacket to go with it! Here’s last week’s post in case you missed it!

Something Blue

I had enough of the blue dress fabric, so I decided it would be a very matching, very dramatic liner. I didn’t have anything for the outside of the jacket. I’m trying really hard to not buy fabric. I’m trying to use what I have first, and if nothing will work, I look for second hand options.

Here’s my inspiration for a dress with a matching jacket liner. This picture is from the movie, “Down With Love”. It’s a fun movie with fabulous clothes and sets! Check it out sometime!

I found these two drape panels at a second hand store for $9.99. My own “something old” to go with the “something blue” dress. That is a lot less money then you would pay for similar yardage of fabric from the store! This $9.99, plus the blue fabric I had on hand, which cost $2 a yard on clearance years ago, had me spending approx. $16 to make this jacket. Pretty cheap for a custom jacket.

I got to work!

I, of course, washed the drapes first. I laid them out to pin the pattern.

I had to get creative about the way I folded the drapes, to make sure I had enough of the fabric for each piece.

Cutting the sleeves.

Pinning the front panels.

I used this little piece of folded extra fabric for the back facing piece.

I decided that I would keep the top parts of both drape panels. I think in the future I can work them into another sew. Maybe for a “mod” style dress with a “peek a boo” waistband.

Marking the darts.

Pinning them so they’ll be ready to sew!

Laying out a front interfacing piece onto some iron on facing. Ok, if you add this to my total I’m up to about $18.

I was moving right along when I got to step 3 in the directions. I have never seen or done fabric folded button holes!

I decided to practice first! I grabbed some scrap.

I marked a button hole on the right side of the fabric.

I then laid the smaller piece centered on the button hole marking. You sew around it then cut the button hole open. You then fold the fabric through the button hole to the backside of the fabric. Practice went ok.

Nothing to it but to do it, so I marked the button holes on the jacket front.

From my practice buttonhole, I decided to make the folded fabric part bigger than what the pattern called for. I could always cut it down later, and would have more room to maneuver a bigger piece of fabric. I lined the fabric up with the button hole markings.

With markings on the folded side as well, I pinned it into place.

The jacket only has three button hole, so I prepped all three button holes before I started to sew them.

I nervously sewed them. There wasn’t much room for mistakes. If I messed up the front of the jacket I couldn’t just go out and get more matching fabric. I would probably never be able to find the exact same second hand drapes!

BUT, I didn’t mess up! Whew!! The button holes turned out pretty good.

Once they were turned they looked like this on the inside.

I used my pinking shears to cut off the excess fabric.

Next I had to prep the jacket pockets. I used blue as the pocket liner.

Marking the pocket fold.

It was starting to look like a jacket! I pinned the pockets into place on the jacket front pieces.

I was sewing along and not paying attention, and look what I did! I closed the top of the pocket and left the bottom open. Time to seam rip.

Once I got my pockets straight I sewed the darts into the back of the jacket.

Sleeves were next!

Time to sew the front and back facings together.

Then it was time to cut the liner out!

Marking the liner darts.

Hemming the liner.

Marking the liner sleeve dart. Once it was sewn I put the liner sleeves into the liner body.

The blue liner got sewn onto the front and back facings. Then you pin it, right sides together, and sew it all up!

Just like that, dress and jacket were both complete! I knew I would never match the exact blue to a pair of shoes, so I decided to go with some pink shoes as a pop of color! I added Grandma Doris’ pink flower broach as an accessory.

The jacket was elegant and very warm! I used some of Grandma’s buttons to finish off the jacket. Of course I made a clutch to match my very matching ensemble!

And yes! The matching liner made the dramatic statement that I was looking for!

It was a wonderful afternoon filled with the best wishes for Bailey as she gets ready to get married!

The attire for the wedding itself is “cocktail”, so I might need another dress. Perhaps one that goes with one of my vintage hats! I have a little bit of time to think about it!

I love my new blue dress, and of course, it’s matching jacket! It’s a new favorite!

As for me, onto the next!