19 Mar The Birdie Jacket
The most potent muse of all is our own inner child. 😊
Stephanie Nachmonovitch
Introducing the Birdie Jacket……….. and why not? Designers love to name garments after special people and now it’s Birdie’s turn 😉
Ready to ditch the winter drabs and put color back into my wardrobe I chose Mood Fabric’s Rasberry Rose stretch cotton sateen, perhaps the most colorful fabric on the Mood website! This playful color not only reminds me of Spring, but also coordinates with many of my separates.
Keeping it bright, I lined the jacket with the same stretch sateen in Sugar Coral. I think this colorful duo is just what my Moroccan tunic was begging for. (Tunic by Akbar Delights purchased in Marrakech 2016)
My pattern is Butterick 5253.
Since I rarely sew jackets, I decided to sew the pattern straight up with no modifications other than fitting,
and if I sew another one I’m going down a size and changing the button closure, .
Frankly, I prefer to wear it open so I can play with Birdie without restriction.
Open or closed the cotton sateen is a winner!
This crisp and lightweight sateen is available in 12 colors and is recommended for many garment styles.
The lycra content provides a nice crosswise stretch and lining the jacket in the sateen has provided warmth and a terrific wind block.
There’s nothing like having a baby in the family again to bring new perspective to our lives. Look to your inner child for inspiration this spring and you might find a rainbow 😉
Happy Monday!
Rebecca Bagwell
Posted at 07:03h, 19 MarchBeautiful jacket and love that Birdie!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:39h, 19 MarchThank you, Becky!
Mary Anne
Posted at 07:05h, 19 MarchFabulous and I just love the colour! We still had snow yesterday but sunshine today though still icy cold. I can’t wait for spring!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:40h, 19 MarchMany thanks and hope it warms up soon, Mary Anne 😉
Amanda saunders
Posted at 07:09h, 19 MarchLove the jacket and love your inspiration. I have my first grandchild, she is 3 weeks old, so precious and so inspiring. Can’t wait to be playing with my Ariana at the beach
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:41h, 19 MarchCongratulations, Amanda! Many thanks for your comment and enjoy your sweet grandchild 😊😊
Kathleen-Marie Tracey
Posted at 07:14h, 19 MarchLovely!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:42h, 19 MarchThank you!
Liz Karp
Posted at 07:26h, 19 MarchIs this a brand new pattern or an OOP one? I can’t find it online.
Thanks – Liz
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:42h, 19 MarchLiz – it is OOP but available on Etsy.
Rosalind Clayton
Posted at 07:50h, 19 MarchYou always do impeccable work! I LOVE the lining!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:43h, 19 MarchThank you so much, Rosalind! The lining makes it special for sure 😉
Lodi Srygley
Posted at 08:28h, 19 MarchMy snow jacket, muck-lucks, knit beanie, woolen scarf and mittens want to believe in spring! Thanks for the breath of fresh ocean air! Now, I’m up to the sewing nook…
P.S. Do you have a rule of thumb for jacket length for wearing over tunics?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:46h, 19 MarchSpring is coming, Lodi! I don’t have a rule of thumb for jacket length, but in this case I wanted the jacket to just exceed the length of the tunic.
Miriam Pflug
Posted at 08:43h, 19 MarchBeautiful and she is such a cutie!! Enjoy these delightful days.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:46h, 19 MarchThank you so much, Miriam! Nice to hear from you 😊😊
LuLu Thomas
Posted at 09:03h, 19 MarchWOW, your new jacket looks really good. I love the colors…..inside and out!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:47h, 19 MarchMany thanks, Lulu! I’ve always been a pink and orange fan 😉
Nova
Posted at 09:05h, 19 MarchWhat beautiful memories you are building together! They grow so quickly – and soon, perhaps, she may be wanting to learn how to create at the sewing machine, just like her grandmother! Lovely, colourful, and customized clothing, like you are perfecting. Is that not, after all, how so many of us learned? And even if she does not express an interest in needle and thread, what a fabulous role model you are. Thanks for sharing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:50h, 19 MarchWhat a nice comment, Nova 😍 Time will tell about Birdie’s interests!
Marianne Johansson
Posted at 09:59h, 19 MarchSoo nice jacket !! Cool fabric 😘
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:51h, 19 MarchThank you, Marianne!
LInda Galante
Posted at 10:06h, 19 MarchVery cute! This is my kind a of jacket and I can’t beleive I missed this pattern! Love your pink version and the photos are so inspiring!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:52h, 19 MarchMany thanks, Linda! Unstructured jackets are fun to sew and wear for sure 😊😊
MaryEllen
Posted at 10:18h, 19 MarchSuch wonderful pictures of Birdie & her namesake jacket. The sleeves make this jacket say spring .
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:53h, 19 MarchBirdie is so much fun, Mary Ellen😉 Hot pink and ruffles…….. spring is here!
Judy Duerson
Posted at 10:21h, 19 MarchYour jacket turned out so nice. I love the way you lined the jacket. It does look nice with your tunic. I love the photos of you and your granddaughter. She will learn a lot from her time with you! Enjoy!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:00h, 19 MarchThank you so much, Judy! Birdie is such fun to be around these days 😉
Mary Rames
Posted at 11:04h, 19 MarchI LOVE this post of your “Birdie” jacket! So happy and very inspiring. After all of my years of sewing, it never occurred to me to line a jacket like this with stretch cotton sateen. And your color choice is a welcome hello to Spring/Summer. Beautiful jacket! Adorable granddaughter! Radiant you! Thanks for sharing…
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:02h, 19 MarchAh…….. this is so sweet, Mary! I doubt I would have lined the jacket with stretch sateen had I used another fashion fabric, but this worked out very well 😊
Marjorie Mautino
Posted at 11:11h, 19 MarchBeautiful jacket, but I have to say little Birdie is the star of the show! Precious little babe!
A great jacket pattern choice & love the lining color. Linings can make a jacket so interesting!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:59h, 19 MarchI don’t mind taking a backseat to Birdie! Many thanks for the comment, Marjorie 😊
Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
Posted at 11:48h, 19 Marchlove the color, looks great on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:58h, 19 MarchThank you, Beth!
Janice Evans
Posted at 11:49h, 19 MarchAbsolutely love the colour on you! I was please to read that your colour choice reflected the need the work with existing items in our wardrobe.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:57h, 19 MarchMany thanks, Janice 😊 I almost always try to sew a garment that goes with SOMETHING in my closet!
Maggie ecger
Posted at 14:43h, 19 MarchLove the jacket, your tunic is so pretty and colorful and Birdie is just adorable. A Maggie
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:56h, 19 MarchThank you, Maggie! I hope you can meet her one day soon 😊😊
Sheri Lewis
Posted at 14:56h, 19 MarchBeautiful and inspirational!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:55h, 19 MarchThank you, Sheri!
Marybeth Tawfik
Posted at 15:52h, 19 MarchI like the big button, but I know buttons are hard. To choose, anyway.
LOVE the contrast pink in the lining.
Jealous a little of the baby … both look really good on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:55h, 19 MarchLOL – thank you! I wish I had a good button store nearby. Fabric is hard enough to buy online but I can’t even imagine buying buttons online! Thanks so much for your comment, Marybeth!
Nancy Schaub
Posted at 20:45h, 19 MarchOh Sarah, this is glorious – color, style, everything, and a beautiful granddaughter is the perfect accent. I remember my daughter wearing similar outfits when she was little, and those great little dresses that crossed in the back and buttoned on the shoulders. Little ones are so wonderful. Back to your gorgeous jacket. Is there any color you cannot wear? I have never seen anything that does not suit you perfectly. This delicious color reminds me of raspberry sherbet and when you add the lining, rainbow comes to mind. I have a (purchased) lightweight denim jacket with similar sleeves but with a collar that is “pouffy” – I think the upper fabric piece is slightly longer than the lower so it gathers a little. I am hoping yours is a current pattern because I just added it to my “get for me” list for this week. There is a local woman who gives individual lessons in sewing, at all levels, to all ages (she taught at Philadelphia University). I referred her to your blog tonight because I think you are a genius! I do not know how to draft patterns so I will be seeing her soon to help me draft a pattern for a favorite Evan Picone blouse from the ’80s – front placket to hide buttons, mandarin collar with narrow ruffle, back yoke with gathers below and a forward shoulder yoke. I cannot wait to be able to recreate this favorite. Thank you for all the inspiration I glean from your blog. It is priceless. Enjoy that beautiful baby.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:36h, 20 MarchNancy,
What a lovely comment! The pattern is out of print, but you can easily recreate it. Many princess seam jacket patterns are out there, and the cuff uses the balloon technique. Your teacher can help you if you can’t find the pattern on Etsy. Good luck recreating the Evan Picone blouse and many thanks for your comment 😍
Alice Elliot
Posted at 21:10h, 19 MarchDarling baby and fun jacket. One of my favorite colors. 🌈
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:29h, 20 MarchMany thanks, Alice!
Karen Helm
Posted at 22:04h, 19 MarchSuch a beautiful jacket! The quality of the fabric is evident in your photos – the drape of it is perfect for this pattern. That pink is luscious and suits you perfectly – and your granddaughter is as cute as can be!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:28h, 20 MarchKaren,
Many thanks for your lovely comment! I’m loving the jacket and I agree with you – Birdie is a cutie!
Lauren Loughlin
Posted at 23:12h, 19 MarchI love your pink jacket. And I agree that having a little one in our life again brings great joy. I have a grandson who is 5 years old know. I honestly don’t know where the time went! Enjoy every moment of it.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:24h, 20 MarchThank you, Lauren – she’s such fun right now 😊 Enjoy your grandson too!
Vanessa Thomas
Posted at 00:10h, 20 MarchIt is such a beautiful Spring jacket!! I really like the sleeves!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:23h, 20 MarchMany thanks, Vanessa!
Melissa Archer
Posted at 00:47h, 20 MarchSuch a beautiful jacket. The sleeve ruffles are so very on trend and your concept of self lining in a different colour is inspired. I’d have never thought of that, but will certainly remember it for future. And, I can’t not say…your playmate is super adorable!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:22h, 20 MarchThank you, Melissa! My playmate is the best😊 The lining worked out so well for this jacket aesthetically and functionally – certainly a win-win!
Diane James
Posted at 17:32h, 20 MarchI too loved your jacket. Such a great punch of color! Do you think this jacket pattern could be adapted for a Nina McLemore kind of jacket? I haven’t sewn in years, but can’t find more traditional and colorful clothes to buy! Everything is black, grey and very clingy. I’m a 16 now and clingy just isn’t pretty or appropriate!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:01h, 20 MarchDiane,
The pattern is out of print but available on Etsy. However, if you can’t find it many princess seam jacket patterns are out there. Prince😀
Linda LaMona
Posted at 13:15h, 21 MarchGreat looking jacket!!! Love the color!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:20h, 22 MarchThank you, Linda!
Patty
Posted at 15:32h, 21 MarchThanks for providing some promise of Spring as I am looking out my window at et another blizzard!
Are you concerned that the sleeve style will go out of fashion next year? I hesitate to make clothes that will look dated in the next year. Many thanks!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:22h, 22 MarchWell it turned cold again in the South, but Spring weather should kick in soon 😉 Of course the beauty of sewing is if I get tired of the cuff, I can replace it with something traditional.
Kathy VanFossen
Posted at 19:12h, 22 MarchBeautiful