Goodbye Valentino | French Jacket

16 Jun Bias Beauty, Kwik Sew Pattern 3308

Posted at 06:00h in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing, Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, French Jacket by goodbyevalentino 65 Comments

I finished my last French Jacket in March just before our schools and businesses closed. Inspired by the cute bias halter tops Julie made from her French Jacket linings, (see page 117, A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing) I ordered extra lining fabric from B&J Fabrics to make one to wear with my jacket. The plan was to photograph the halter in front of the blue waters of Aruba in April. Greetings from my back yard. The pattern is Kwik Sew 3308. Long since out of print, Julie was nice enough to make a copy for me. The beauty of the top lie in...

06 Mar Shanel No. 3 – French Jacket Completed

Posted at 07:06h in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing, Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, French Jacket by goodbyevalentino 44 Comments

My mission: to make a versatile French Jacket, one I could dress up or wear with jeans. Mission Accomplished 😊. Helen Haughey and Mary Funt offered a superb six day French Jacket class, that challenged me both technically and creatively. I needed it and I loved it. MY FABRIC My original plan was to use the multicolored tweed on top. Mary and Helen knew I had made two previous jackets, and that my goal was to improve my skills. They told me I'd learn much more (such as ironwork shaping) using a different fabric such as one with a grid. I ordered the blue and white...

17 Feb Shanel No. 3 – French Jacket Sewing with Helen Haughey & Mary Funt

Posted at 08:12h in Fashion Sewing, French Jacket by goodbyevalentino 26 Comments

I was in the right place for the entire week, processing new information for six days straight. While working on Shanel No.2, my desire to learn more was insatiable. I was very pleased with the black and white jacket, but I wanted to learn more about fit, technique, trim, style, fabrics…… Mary Funt and Helen Haughey bring a fresh perspective to French Jacket Sewing. As documented in my last post our first day was dedicated to fitting, and at the request of readers, I begin this post with a quick follow up to the armscye. ___________________________________ After comparing the armscyes of multiple jacket patterns our...

11 Feb French Jacket Sewing in Palm Beach

Posted at 07:07h in Fashion Sewing, French Jacket by goodbyevalentino 51 Comments

Greetings from Palm Beach, an ideal location to "winter" 😊 I'm thrilled to be one of twelve students participating in Helen Haughey and Mary Funt's debut French Jacket Class. Both Helen and Mary are experienced couture teachers, but this is the first class they have offered together. While working on my second French Jacket in January, I became smitten with the project, but knew I had much to learn, so here I am, and am I fortunate. In Day 1 of this very cordial and relaxed atmosphere, our objective was fitting. I know the importance of a good fit and it's one of the...

01 Mar The French Jacket Experience: Julie Starr

Posted at 07:08h in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing, Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, French Jacket by goodbyevalentino 49 Comments

QUESTION: What's effortlessly chic, always appropriate and lasts forever? ANSWER: The French Jacket: It's a Classic. I've made one French Jacket six years and as stated in the last post, it's time for another. My friend Julie Starr has made six and they are all stunning. Julie, Dorcas and other dedicated sewists have mastered creating these couture garments requiring 100+hours to assemble. I've watched several of Julie's jackets come together and though I can't say she makes it look easy, I will say the process is intriguing. Over the next several months, I'll be sharing French Jacket posts created by my sewing friends and I'm beginning...

10 Mar The French Jacket Experience (guest post) Julie Starr

Posted at 09:13h in Fashion Sewing, French Jacket, Sewing Jackets by goodbyevalentino 78 Comments

My friend and co-author, Julie Starr dedicates each January (+) to sewing a couture garment. She's hooked on French Jackets and generously shares her experience below. Enjoy :) The allure of the classic French jacket - its mystique has captivated for years. Long before rediscovering garment sewing several years ago I admired this garment for its timeless elegance on the outside, never understanding that the magic on the inside is the real story. Quilting lofty boucle to silk lining with rows of stitches that are all but invisible from the outside produces a sumptuous quality double layer that hugs the body...