B4818: Almost Done

The jacket is nearly done. All that's left is buttonholes and buttons, which I'll do this afternoon when I get back from some errands.

I don't hate it and I will definitely wear it, but in my heart I still wish the print placement was better. I know not everyone sees it, but I'm one of those people who does. However, I've decided a big smile and lots of dramatic arm movements will distract even the most OCD like me. Hehehehe

I thought BConky came up with a GREAT solution to add a faux waistband. I even cut, sewed and pressed the strips, and left the jacket's sideseams unserged so I could open up slots and insert my prepared strips into them. And that's where I stalled. While the strips did a wonderful job covering up and/or camouflaging the blossoms dead center of the jacket, I wasn't loving what they were doing to the overall aesthetic. I kept pinning them on, taking them off, pinning them on, taking them off. But I couldn't get past my feeling that they were cutting me in half and fighting with the eye on a very busy print, even more-so after adding pockets that were purposely cut to NOT blend in.

In the end, I decided to ditch the faux waistband "design opportunity," especially after looking at the jacket as a whole. As you can see, almost every angle has big red blossoms and I think (hope?) those keep the eyes busy enough to not just land and stop on center. Besides, it's not like I'm going to be standing still like a mannequin when I'm wearing it, even without dramatic arm movements.

But I'm going to see what I have in the stash and/or keep my eyes open in the stores for a solid scarf to hang down under the lapels because like many who left comments on the last post, that was also my first thought for a fix after discovering my "disaster." Plus, one of my favorite features of this pattern (besides the awesome fit!) is the lapels. I love the shape, I love the depth — they just work perfectly for me — and a scarf underneath will make them show up better.

I'm going to be using textured Mother of Pearl buttons from the "Carolyn Collection" (and I note I'm glad to see she has ended her blogging break before my cold sweats kicked in). The iridescence in the MOP picks up all the colors in the jacket nicely without screaming "Look at me, I'm something else assaulting your eyes!" ;-)

The skirt to wear with this jacket should be a breeze. Solid color with no print to worry about, elastic waist and knit and TNT so no real fitting except length, and one, yes ONE, pattern piece. The machines are already threaded with the right colors and ready to go so let's hope I'm not eating those words tomorrow and have a finished outfit to show off.

And speaking of eating … another great thing for still-recovering sore teeth/gums in the summer? Watermelon! OMG I love this time of year for the watermelons you can buy for $3 out of some dude's pick-up truck on the side of the road.