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Los Olivos, California, United States
You can reach me at fool4fabric (at) gmail (dot) com

Saturday, February 2, 2013

MARNI & ME

I've been dying to sew the Style Arc Marni Ponti Jacket since it was issued; I'm surprised there aren't many reviews of this...it's a cute jacket:




I wanted to intersperse "wear-it-now" sewing with my ongoing "Manteau Auditions". Here's my jacket

                                                             

I used a medium-to-heavy weight ponte from EOS for the body of the jacket, and used a heavy-weight black ponte from Denver Fabrics for the facing and sleeves. I mention the weights of the ponte knits, because I had a problem with the 3/8 inch seam allowances; with the heavier weight fabrics, it was hard to make the seams lay flat, and I wound up topstitching everything in order to flatten the seams. There are many different weights of Ponte knits, and I think this jacket would have been easier to sew had I used a lighter-weight knit (like a Sophia knit) or if I had cut the seam allowances a little larger.
I had trouble understanding the closure (if any) for this jacket, so what worked for me were two skirt/trouser hooks and a button just for show. It needs a cami under it...

I've worn the jacket twice and gotten many compliments on it; I love the fit of it and will definitely make it again.

I've been AWOL for the last two weeks due to an allergic dermatitis outbreak around my eyes. UGLY.
I just finished the patch test for 71 different potential allergens (I haven't been able to shower for 6 days...) and so far, am positive for only one, lanolin alcohol. Unfortunately, it's in a lot of common products, such as cosmetics, cleaning compounds, etc., so I have to start looking closely at ingredients.

NSFW Image!!!!!

It's good I'm fond of polka dots..... and I finally showered this morning...YAY!

57 comments:

  1. I can see why you got so many compliments, Margy, that is SUPER cute and flattering on you!!! I'm glad you like polka dots, because that allergy testing sounds no fun at all!!

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  2. Wow, I wish I had your sewing skills. Just beautiful. Hope you feel better soon!

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  3. Love the jacket - it looks fabulous on you! I hope your skin problems are on the way to healing.

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  4. Lovely jacket! You always look polished in my opinion :) didn't know that there's different weight to ponti knits, will look closer next time! I still have some sophia types i bought last year and will attempt my first jacket with those probably :) get well soon!

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    1. Thank you, Far...I think a sophia type would be great in this jacket.

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  5. Margy, you wear that jacket well and I like your closure idea. You always look fabulous in your garments.
    I do hope that allergy thingy is resolved soon.....looks very uncomfortable to me. I have some slight reoccurring dermatitis, so i know somewhat of which you speak.

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  6. Gorgeous jacket! You sew so beautifully! Yikes, allergies, no fun. Feel better soon.

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  7. Cute jacket. Sorry to hear about the allergy, what a pain!

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  8. Love your jacket - looks very nice on you. I don't remember seeing that pattern!!
    I have lots of skin (face) allergies - I use systeme 41 and Dr perrcune - just an fyi
    Marciae

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    1. Thanks, Marcia...and also for the skincare recommendations!

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  9. Love the jacket and you wear it so well. I find it very confusing understanding the different weight of pontes etc. Here in Australia I have been buying a Sophia knit that is like a light-weight jersey and use it to make skivvies etc for layering. It wouldn't be anywhere near heavy enough for your jacket. I am awaiting my first order of StyleArc patterns and am anxious to try them. I'm thinking it must be very helpful to receive a fabric swatch for recommended fabrics. Hope the allergy drama is sorted soon. That testing looks mighty uncomfortable!

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    1. I had no idea, either, Pam, that there were so many Ponte weights...have fun with the SA patterns!

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  10. The jacket is great and I love it paired with those bracelets. Very pretty accent.
    I am so sorry to hear about what you've been going through. Hopefully, they have found the problem and you can be rid of this. Since there are so many people with allergy issues today, more companies are developing products so hopefully your search will not too difficult.

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    1. Thank you so much, Rhonda...there is a lot out there for people with allergies, but you really have to be a detective to find out the ingredients!

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  11. Your jacket is beautiful and so flattering on you. I have given up shampoo due to dermatitis and I use only water to wash my face and hair. It has definitely helped and I don't miss he shampoo. Good luck :)

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  12. Lovely jacket. Have you cut the lapels higher?

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    1. Thanks, Gail. I made no changes to the lapels, but I did put two skirt hooks to keep it closed, one at the waist and one about 2 inches higher...

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  13. Great jacket - it looks so good on you. Beautiful fabric too.

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  14. Thanks, Valerie...have fun making it for your daughter!

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  15. Love your jacket Margy. Beautiful fabric combination. I have the pattern and now that I've seen your finished product, I am re-thinking my fabric choice. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Hope your allergy is all sorted soon.

    Annette

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  16. Beautiful jacket.

    Sorry about the allergies. I am allergic to many things. My husband is only allergic to lanolin. We have gotten rid of all lanolin-containing cosmetics in our house. It's getting much easier to find them. You have my email if you want to get my complete list of things we can tolerate and work well.

    BTW, I am so allergic, that they had to wipe off some of the pricks after a few minutes because I had swelled up beyond a 5 on their 5 point scale. I even swelled up to the "control" of plain glycerin.

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    1. Thanks, bmgm...I will email you...I need all the help I can get!

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  17. Love the print on this jacket - you will be able to wear it many ways! Similar to Pam (from South Australia) I also haven't come across many different weights for Ponte - thanks for pointing this out.
    Good luck with the allergies - nothing worse when the eyes are taking the brunt of it...J

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    1. Thanks, Judith...you got it about the eyes....

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  18. Cute as heck jacket. It looks great. Hope you find a way to cope with your allergies and alleviate the miserableness.

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    1. Thanks, Gwen...if it's not one thing, it's another!

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  19. Oh my, that allergy photo! At least they're getting closer to finding out what you need to avoid. Your jacket looks wonderful. I've got the same one cut out in a stretch woven, which I'll find time to sew up over the next few days. It's inspiring to find out that someone else has already made up the pattern with such success! If it fits me well, I'll do a ponte version next - in an appropriate weight, I hope!

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    1. Thanks, thorn berry...good luck on your jacket!

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  20. Margy, what a nice jacket you've made. I really like the style, and the fabric is right on trend. Very chic!
    I hope your allergy testing gives you the answers you need. That's a lot of dots on your back!

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  21. Margy..lovely jacket fabric/pattern match..as always! You are my muse..we share the same coloring and I love your fabric choices... always interesting! Hope the allergy situation is getting under control..isn't it astonishing the ingredients in products once one starts to read?
    Fran G

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  22. Oh poor Margy! I had the prick test once and even though I know I'm allergic to more things now, I've been avoiding it. Hope you can find what works for you.

    Your jacket is totally lovely on you - as always!

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  23. Love your jacket and be careful of wools some have a lanolin component -so watch that too !! Good luck. Allergies are no fun.

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  24. The jacket is gorgeous and - as usual - you look fabulous in it. Thanks for the inspiration.

    I'm allergic to many things and recently started using organic coconut oil. It came about as a fluke which I talk about on my blog in tomorrow's posting but has been a wonderful find. It's anti fungal, anti bacterial and the base of all soap and can be used as a cleanser, moisturizer, deoderant, and hair conditioner. My face is clearer and no longer painfully dry and I've almost eliminated the callouses on my feet. My elbows and knees are soft. I've healed some difficult blisters. And I've worn it as a deoderant for three months with no problems even when exercising. It's working for me so I thought I'd share in case it might work for you.

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    1. Thanks, Myrna...and I appreciate your sharing what works for you...

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  25. LOVE the jacket - I've been eyeing that pattern since it came out :) Good tips on the weight of the knits, too. I think it looks great, and would probably travel really well! Great job...might have to order that one now :)

    So sorry about your allergic reaction! Those tests are not much fun. When I'm not sewing, my "real" job is Consultant/Business Mgt for Rodan + Fields Dermatologists (they're the ones who created Proactiv). They have a wonderful line of skincare that does NOT include Lanolin alcohol :) Here's my site if you're interested: radiantyou.myrandf.com We offer 4 basic skincare groups that treat anything from wrinkles to adult acne, sun spots to sensitive skin! It's modeled after the way the Doctors handle patients in their own active dermatology practice.

    Please don't hesitate to email me or call me if I can help you (you've given me such great inspiration through your blog - call it giving back!). If you'd like a free mini-facial to test reaction, message me on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TotallyRadiantYou Hope you're better soon!

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    1. Thanks, carolinascallin...interesting about your "real" job...I may take you up on the free mini-facial offer. Thanks so much!

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  26. Margy another beautiful item that fits into your wardrobe perfectly. Love the design and fit on you, and you always accessorise your outfit impeccably.

    Fingers crossed your test results are conclusive and that you don't get any more reactions - bet your shower felt like the best one ever.... Hope you are now feeling better.

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    1. Thanks, Pauline...you are looking so good on your latest blog posts...!

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  27. I love the fabric combination you chose to make this jacket. The black & white is perfect for highlighting the style details. Love it!

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  28. That's a really great jacket and very flattering on you. Excellent fabric combination!

    I wish you all the best with your allergy.

    ~ Olgalyn

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  29. I hope you can manage with your new found allergy causes now.
    Love your jacket. It's a great fit and you've used the fabrics nicely. Stunning.

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  30. Seriously, people. Bit of perspective might be in order. Just to add insult to injury, Marni Ponti Jacket! Take a leaf out of my book and do your job properly and stop adding fuel to the fire of stupidity already burning.

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  31. I love your jacket! I'm just about to start on my own Marni, and I hopped over here after reading your review on Pattern Review. Thanks for the head's up about the weight of the fabric!

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