J is for Jackets

 

 Oh, how I love jackets.  They are a necessity year-round in the Scottish climate.  When I went back to see how many jackets I had made from vintage patterns, I was shocked.  I guess it should come as no surprise given that I find them a 'must' for my wardrobe.  I plan on making many more!  Here's a peak at all the jackets I've made:

1930s:

1. 'My Marlene Suit' jacket using McCall 3260 from 1939, 2. 'Deco the Halls' tunic, 3. McCall 8501 used to make my 1935 jacket/cape, 4. the '1935 Cape', 5. my '1931 spring suit', 6. EvaDress pattern used to make the 1931 suit separates, 7. McCall 9156 from 1937 used to make my 'Birthday Dress Suit', 8. my 'Birthday Dress Suit'

More 1930's jackets:

 

1.  McCall 9089 from 1935 used to make my '39 Steps' dress, 2. my '39 Steps to the Perfect Dress' and jacket, 3. my 'Art Deco Love' dress, 4. Butterick starred pattern available as a reproduction from EvaDress used to make the 'Art Deco Love' dress and jacket.

1930's patterns have the best jackets!  In fact, it's hard to find a dress or separates pattern that doesn't include a jacket pattern.  I especially love the collarless jacket look (which is also super easy to sew). 

1940's jackets:

1. 'C'moooooooon, Poil Swing Jacket', 2. McCall 3619 from 1940 used to make the 'C'mooooooon Poil Swing Jacket', 3. Simplicity 3529 from 1940 used to make the 'Faux Bunny Love' jacket, 4. 'Faux Bunny Love' jacket

My 1940's jacket sewing projects are more outerwear than layering wear (like my 30's jackets).  I just love the jacket over coat look that was popular in 1939 and 1940 (a perfect example is the Simplicity 3529 pattern that I made my faux fur jacket from...)

My only 1950's jacket (and it's really a bolero...):

1.The 'Perfect Day Outfit', 2. Simplicity 3879 used to make the bolero for the 'Perfect Day Outfit' and later to make the halter for the 'Now or Never' outfit. 

Boleros count as jackets, right?  I love them, especially the 40s and 50s variety.  Great for everyday outfits or for dressing up.  This next year, I'm hoping to tackle some of the super fabulous late 1940's (i.e. New Look suits) and 1950's suits with really neat jacket details.  Love that look!  Of course, you can never go wrong with a teeny wing-cuffed bolero (though I must admit it's a bit more frosting than cake sewing).

Some neat jacket sewing tutorials and links:

• Sewaholic's minoru jacket sewalong (18 tutorials) is packed full of useful jacket sewing tidbits.

• Not only has Gertie put together fabulous tutorials and videos on coat tailoring, she also took on a shorter jacket/coat with the Colette's Lady Grey pattern sewalong.  Check out the seven-part series (part 1, part 2 and part 3, Pockets Side Seams & Sleeves, Setting in Tailored Sleeves, Hemming, and Finishing Touches)

• I can't help but love this exposed zipper pocket tutorial with Jessica who blogs over at the Running with Scissors blog.

• A great tutorial from Grainline on doing a bagged jacket lining (this is the method I used for my 1940 faux fur jacket).

• A whole host of jacket sewing tutorials available here.

Tell me, are jackets a big part of your sewn wardrobe?