As you may have read, I’m participating in the Pattern Review Sewing Bee! I made it through to round 3 and this week’s challenge is to create a lined jacket. I love these contests, because they push me to try things I’ve been mulling over, but am probably too lazy to try without a deadline looming.

Ever since making these two coats for a play earlier in the year, I knew I wanted to create a version inspired by them for myself, but without the extended panel in center, which needs to stay buttoned in order for the buttons to be displayed. It would have to be a sort of faux button front like these Ralph Lauren jackets from my personal style Pinterest board.

Is that a photoshopped THIGH GAP ?A few months ago I bought this jacket at the thrift shop from H & M…It’s a very simplified version of the above coats, but has the same feel, I think. It doesn’t have actual panels for the buttons, and instead has bound or welt buttonholes or openings. But it still has some great details like actual welt pockets with a flap, and piping throughout. The jacket is a little too tight on me and much too short waisted. I considered giving it back to the thrift shop, when it occurred to me that I could use it as a pattern! Being more simple than the original Ralph Lauren version I wanted to copy, I think I may be able to get it done by the deadline next Monday and still be able to go out with my friends for a girls night out this weekend. Because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, as they say! Or Jill, in this case.

Here is what I discovered when I took out the lining of the jacket… (Even though this jacket is from H & M , there’s still a lot of work that went into it.)The lining is a bagged lining and was flipped right side side out through the arm.The lining was attached first, then flipped up like this for the hem. I still need to get my head around how this works.You can see how sloppy a lot of the work inside the jacket is. The interfacing is sort of slapped on haphazardly, and the seam allowances are uneven and not pressed open.I picked apart one side of the jacket and pinned back the seam allowances to trace the pieces.I then had to add 1.5 inches to the length of the bodice pieces, and made the front princess panel a little larger.I just need to true up my seams and then add seam allowances and tomorrow I’ll cut out my jacket. I’m not going to bother with a muslin since I’m almost 100 percent it will fit. Stay tuned!

Have you ever taken apart a ready to wear article of clothing to create a pattern?

Related posts:

Making the Mini Chanel Jacket DIY workout wear DIY workout pants and tank top pattern tutorial Collette Oolong Pattern: Pattern Tips and Bias Sewing