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

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

BOMBS AWAY!

According to various fashion reports, the bomber jacket is hot for this fall. I last made a bomber jacket about 25 years ago...I used the (then)"new" faux fabric in a black and white cowhide. I remember that it had shiny black snaps and a red satin lining...I loved it, although it provoked the usual "I would NEVER wear that" comments from some friends...I don't hang out with those people anymore!

So...I've made a new bomber jacket...





The pattern is Kwik Sew 3491, the fabric is from EmmaOneSock. She said it was from designer Carolina H., a heavy-weight cotton/poly twill, backed with a black poly knit. I would SWEAR it has neoprene in it...and swear I did, often and loudly. Every other pin I tried to put through bent...it made my sewing machine and serger scream for mercy, even though I was using #18 needles.
It was sort of like sewing a wetsuit (not that I've ever sewn a wetsuit!)
I made a few changes to the pattern, combining Views A&B, redrafting the collar,  substituting black satin for the ribbing called for at waist and cuffs.





 The few times I tried to sew by hand (basting and sewing the buttons on) I had to use pliers to pull the needle through. Basta!






It's cute, but I think I'll stick with my beloved Moto Jacket. That fabric was also hard to sew, but the effort/result factor was higher.



Tis the season for bounteous harvests from our orchard...here are some delicious Pluots
and there are bags and bags of  French Plums (AKA prunes) that Dave dried in the dehydrator.

 Back to preparing for the influx of worker bees this weekend...

 TTYL...
Posted by at 11:40 AM
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45 comments:

  1. a little sewingAugust 13, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    How nice to see that pattern made up - I have it and the envelope has never been opened. I know not to use that fabric you used! What a bad sewing experience. You get extra points for hazard duty.

    I like the sound of your last bomber jacket. You are hanging around a better crowd these days ;)

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  2. MargyAugust 13, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    Thanks, Robin...hanging around with a better crowd both online and IRL!

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  3. Sarah LizAugust 13, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    Margy, the pattern looks blah, but the jacket you have made looks great. Must have been that fabric, pain though it was. Looks fantastic on you.

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    1. MargyAugust 13, 2013 at 2:21 PM

      Thanks, SarahLiz! Kwik Sew pattern illustrations are notoriously frumpy looking, but the patterns themselves are well drafted and have good instructions...

      Delete
  4. shamsAugust 13, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    Even though I saw the pattern beforehand and had a sample of the fabric to play with, I am still blown away with how wonderful this is!!! Using the satin/elastic for the ribbing was inspired. The graphic impact of this is amazing! And the pics do NOT give you a feel for the true weirdness of this fabric. LOVE.

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    Replies
    1. MargyAugust 13, 2013 at 2:23 PM

      Thanks, Shams...yes, it is a fabric from hell in disguise!

      Delete
  5. Faye LewisAugust 13, 2013 at 3:04 PM

    Both of your jackets are fabulous!

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  6. GracaAugust 13, 2013 at 5:51 PM

    That bomber is adorable, the print is great, sorry to read the fabric was a major pain. If it was me, I would have very well have thrown into a "I give up" pile. So, I have to say I admire that you finished it despite all the challenges.

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    1. MargyAugust 13, 2013 at 7:00 PM

      Thanks, Graca...I'm either persistent, or crazy!!!

      Delete
  7. Tamera BeardsleyAugust 13, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Glad to know even supreme craftsman like yourself even 'swear often and loudly' when you sew... glad to know it isn't just me! Thank you for keeping it real!

    As always, you look the picture of chic style.

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    Replies
    1. MargyAugust 14, 2013 at 1:39 PM

      Thank you, Tamera! I don't usually blog about the wadders!

      Delete
  8. RhondaBussAugust 13, 2013 at 7:36 PM

    As always, spot on! Oh my goodness, pluots. I'm so jealous :)

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    1. MargyAugust 14, 2013 at 1:39 PM

      Thanks, Rhonda...if you were closer, I'd share!

      Delete
  9. IreneAugust 13, 2013 at 9:54 PM

    What a wonderful jacket! All the pain of sewing it was certainly worth it.

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  10. christineAugust 13, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    Cool!
    Have a good day,
    Christine

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  11. Sue @ A Colourful CanvasAugust 13, 2013 at 10:33 PM

    A+ for the end result Margy! And boo on the fabric for not playing nicely with you. Frankly, it sounds horrendous to have worked with, and I applaud you for your determination. I just finished a handbag in which I used both faux leather and ultra suede. I can't belive I got through without breaking a needle. Your finished jacket is fabulous, and dare I say, coordinates beautifully with Mr Dog.

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    1. MargyAugust 14, 2013 at 1:41 PM

      Thanks, Sue...I've never sewn on ultra suede, but faux leather, yes. Takes courage! All my clothes coordinate with Paddy...

      Delete
  12. KCAugust 13, 2013 at 11:29 PM

    It is certainly a lovely jacket, despite its bad behavior!

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  13. UnknownAugust 14, 2013 at 3:03 AM

    ok, I need to have you come to my house and sew all my clothes for me. You are AMAZING!

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  14. Amy W.August 14, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    Love! Love! Love you new jacket!!!
    <3

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  15. AnonymousAugust 14, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    Oh my goodness. I found you via PR and I absolutely LOVE your style. All I can think is "YOU GO GIRL!" Love it. The bomber jacket is very nice. Love the fabric. The Moto Jacket is to die for and I am sure you wear it well.

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    Replies
    1. MargyAugust 14, 2013 at 1:43 PM

      Thank you, peacock chic! Welcome to the blog!

      Delete
  16. RobynAugust 14, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    Love love love it. I bought a StyleArc bomber jacket pattern last Winter but it has yet to see the light of day. My sewing world changed when I bough a ton of those Clover clips in 2 sizes...and now I don't pin. That wouldn't solve the needle dilemma, however. Hmm. Glad to see you triumphed, once again!

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    1. MargyAugust 14, 2013 at 1:44 PM

      Thanks, Robyn...after reading your comment, I ordered the Clover Clips. I'll be prepared for the next difficult fabric...

      Delete
  17. RobynAugust 14, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    PS - Just checked to confirm - my wetsuits are glued. I imagined it was to keep water out, but maybe the glue serves more than one purpose! ;)

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    1. MargyAugust 14, 2013 at 1:44 PM

      Hah! Maybe I should have glued rather than sewing...

      Delete
  18. Laurel's QuillAugust 14, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    Love your blog and love the Moto jacket...Came from Marci Tilton's blog. Think I'll follow your musings - love the sewing community!! Laurel

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    Replies
    1. MargyAugust 14, 2013 at 1:45 PM

      Thanks, Laurel's Quill...and welcome to my blog!

      Delete
  19. carolinascallinAugust 14, 2013 at 7:52 PM

    Another KwikSew pattern! I have to get with the program...clearly I've been missing some great designs :) LOVE the fabric print - too bad it was so disagreeable to sew! From the pics, it looks really nice. Hope you at least get a little bit of wear out of it after all that work!

    Great tip on the Clover clips, Robyn! I'll have to order some as I hate pinning :)

    Very jealous of your beautiful pluots! We moved here too late to plant any sort of veggies...next year, though! :)

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  20. MargyAugust 14, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    Thanks, CC...you have to train yourself to look past the dorky pix on the KS patterns...

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  21. The Style CroneAugust 14, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    You are very adventuresome in your sewing, and both jackets are pieces of art. Good thing you don't hang out with those people anymore; I would be ecstatic to wear both pieces in a split second.

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  22. meriusaAugust 15, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    I don't sew(even sewing a lost button on isn't easy to me ! ) but I like your pictures. The jacket is very chic over black pants and tank and silver accessories.Perfect with your gray-hair.
    Congratulations for your harvest.The plums in the basket look very delicious.

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  23. GailAugust 15, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    I'm not sure that you can make a fair comparison between these jackets. They are both great designs and built your admirably disciplined wardrobe of reds blacks and whites.

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  24. poppykettleAugust 18, 2013 at 3:54 AM

    It's so great to see that pattern made up! You do it 100x more justice than the Kwik Sew photos do - the jacket looks amazing :)

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  25. Goodbye ValentinoAugust 21, 2013 at 2:03 PM

    You da' bomb! ..... and I want some of those pluots :)

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  26. Ronda LynnJanuary 25, 2014 at 7:24 PM

    I love that print and style, very sassy!

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