Minoru Jacket :: My dream jacket comes to life

Guys. I made a flipping jacket! This is a big moment for me.  This is my February make for Project Sew It with Celina Bailey.  It’s a Minoru Jacket and I’m unabashedly proud of my new olive canvas jacket.  It really is the jacket of my dreams come to life. 

I’ve been wanting to make my own jacket for a long time.  But, it’s so intimidating, right? For starters, the (very visible) zipper has to go in without a hitch and then there are all of the components.  They way I see it, there are some universal truths to any sewing project.  One of these truths is the more pattern pieces and finishing details in a project the more potential things that can mess you up.  And when you’ve invested lots of time and effort into something the potential for a mess-up can be tough to swallow.  It’s a little fatalistic but it’s true.  Of course, the more complicated project is also more rewarding and yields such awesomeness.  It’s a real conundrum! Well, I am here to report from the field that the risk is totally worth it.  Tackle that big scary project because you are guaranteed to feel like a million bucks when it works out. I was absolutely dancing around in our dining room showing this jacket off to the boys when I finished it.

I made the jacket and I love it immensely.  The jacket is fully lined with silk.  There are no exposed fabric edges, it is fully finished on the inside and out.  I lined the hood and collar with a soft Sherpa.  I plan on wearing the hell out of this jacket. It’s the perfect jacket for spring and fall.

I’ve had the idea for this jacket in my mind for a while now.  I was in a coffee shop last year and saw a woman in an olive parka and was immediately inspired.  I loved how relaxed and casual the jacket looked but at the same time her whole outfit looked effortlessly polished.  It pulled together her whole outfit in a way that said, “I just threw this whole thing together and I look great!”  After that point, I started noticed olive jackets EVERYWHERE.  And, every time I did I would make a mental note of what I liked about it.  (This is the sort of odd behavior all sewists exhibit, right? We are the weirdos.)  All of my research helped me decide to add the sherpa and outside pockets and then I came across the Minoru Jacket pattern and was convinced to go for it.

Here are the details:

+ Pattern: Minoru Jacket from Sewaholic with the following modifications: I decreased the collar by 2.5″ inches and omitted the hood zipper so I could accommodate the Sherpa-lined hood.  Instead I attached the hood with 4 buttons (see below). I added outside pockets by using the lining pocket but attaching it to the side seam and hemline on the outside.  I also omitted the elastic designed for the back waist.  I like the feminine shape of the jacket and didn’t need the additional waistline emphasis.

+ Fabric: Lightweight olive twill* ordered on Amazon (I looked EVERYWHERE and only Amazon had it.  So weird for such a versatile fabric! It came from Designer Fabric Warehouse and is even organic.*This is an affiliate link, btw), the sherpa is from Rock Paper Scissors my local quilt shop, and the silk lining was from an estate sale.

I’m so excited about the fit of this jacket.  It’s feminine but not overly girlie.  I like how the arms extend to mid-hand and I love the shape of the shoulders.  This pattern deserves some serious praise.  I did make a quick muslin but really just to get at the basics of the fit.  I didn’t get into any of the construction details on my muslin. So, this olive jacket was the first run for most of the challenging portions.  I’m not going to lie, making this took time but the pattern made it easy.  Everything was clear and straightforward.  I didn’t have any trouble understand the pattern and considering it is fully lined and a complicated garment, that is pretty impressive. I’m a Sewaholic convert for sure.

Dude! It’s a jacket!!

I’m immensely thankful to Project Sew it for the motivation and to my own Nothing New Project.  I’ve been lusting after a jacket like this for a long time.  If I weren’t dedicated to buying nothing new I would have just gone out and bought one.  Without the crew of amazing women sewing for Project Sew It, I also wouldn’t have had the necessary cheering squad.  And, that wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun. I would probably not be flashing you, either.  How boring.

Do check out the what Celina made and all of her links to what everyone is making for Project Sew It.  It’s never to late to join in!