Remember in my 2018 end of year round-up I mentioned briefly I had made a Big Thing? Well this is it! A tailored blazer… this is the Jasika blazer, the newest design by Heather of Closet Case patterns.
Well, what a project! I really really enjoyed making this; sinking my teeth into my most involved and meaty project in ages! since I’d pretty much fallen into the lackadaisical habit of quick and easy “ordinary” things for quite a long time prior. I was very ready to take on something a bit more contemplative, careful and slow-fashion-y, and this was a really nice thing to ease back into that… I’m so glad Heather asked me to test for her again!
The Jasika blazer is described as a classic tailored jacket, made utilising modern speed tailoring techniques, with fusible interfacing and minimal hand-stitching, but rest assured, purists! there is still hand-stitching where it counts! And I do really appreciate that the process for making this blazer is nicely catering to the modern-day maker that still wants to sew timeless classics for themselves but might be time poor, and so might prefer to do as much by machine as possible.
Materials: I used a length of lovely raspberry-rusty silk/wool tweed given to me by my friend L when she cleaned out her garage, and it was perfect for the job! I love the luscious colour; I think it’s a good one for my colouring, and of course the texture is totally divine… I lined with black polyacetate lining fabric, another longterm resident from my stash; and mostly used the tailor-made (ha!) interfacing/notions package that Heather is stocking specifically for this project. This kit contains fusible woven and knit interfacing, horsehair canvas, padded sleeve heads and shoulder pads and cotton stay tape. Boy, but this is a really fab little kit too and I SO appreciated this! It’s not always that easy to get quality tailoring bits and pieces like this in Perth so it was just brilliant to have them at hand, to help me get a really nice finish to my blazer. Because you really want this to turn out as good as you can get it; a tailored blazer is quite the time-consuming project and it would be nice for the materials to be worthy of your time!
I dithered on whether to use my own label, or the Me-Made from Closet Case patterns. Cassie said why not use both, why not indeed…
I honestly can’t remember now whether I bought the perfectly matching button from Fabulous Fabrics or from Spotlight now. I scouted through both shops, and bought candidates from both shops too! so much agonising!… and now its provenance is lost in the hazy mists of time… I did really take my time with the buttonhole though, and made a mini double welt one, so as to match those pockets.
Oh! Pockets… I LOVE all the pockets in this blazer! I jammed every single one of them into my blazer, in order to test all the pocket options for the pattern of course! Not that I’m a complete pocket-whore or anything, o no! There are three; a single welt breast pocket, a double welt hip pocket, and a double welt with flap hip pocket. I’m actually toying with the idea of opening out the lining and adding an extra, internal welt pocket to the inside of the jacket too… but that will have to wait until I get a few more, ahem VIP’s; and by that I mean Very Important Projects, out of the way! #drowninginweddingsewing
We’re not supposed to reveal a project before the pattern’s been released, which is sometimes so hard to do… I did however sneakily wear the blazer out for real, once, one coolish day (below). Fortunately for me, it’s been quite summer-y and not conducive to blazer wearing, and I felt sorry for all the northern hemisphere testers who have no doubt been dying to wear their splendid new blazers! The pattern has been released just at the right time for us in the southern hemisphere, yay… how often does that happen? not very often! Though, it was 35C when I was taking all these photos… my husband thought I was bonkers putting on tights, boots, woolly top and blazer in this heat. I was like, but it’s a winter thing, I have to look the part, even if I’m legit dying! Aah, the things we do…
Not only did I thoroughly enjoy making my new blazer, I’m really quite proud of how it turned out, and am very much going to enjoy wearing it too. I might even be… dare I say it? looking forward to winter?? Going too far?? maybe!!
Details:
Blazer; the Jasika blazer, Closet Case patterns, raspberry/rust will/wool tweed
Skirt; Vogue 1247, purple denim dyed brown, details here
Top; modified Nettie, Closet Case patterns, ivory wool/mix, details here
Boots; Roberto del Carlo, from Zomp boutique
White dress; the Inari by Named patterns, in white ultra-bobbly stuff, details here
Caramel leather sandals, from an op shop years ago
It is always good to go back to slow I think. I have gone back to making a bra this week and was disappointed for it to feel like it was my first one. I have not made one for 2 years and I guess you use it or lose it in terms of skill so it is good to go out of the normal zone every now and again. Your jacket is a long term keeper. Enjoy! Jo xx
It’s a fabulous jacket! I’m definitely going to have to add it to my collection at some point, though I’ve got some Very Important Projects that need to happen first, if I want to make it through our summer fully clothed!
As always, beautifully made.
Polished and beautifully tailored!! Perfect in every way Carolyn!! 🙂
Ooh it’s great! That fabric looks wonderful. That shade is so versatile.
I ordered the jacket also – and the kits that you mentioned. I was astounded that you could have already made it then saw you were a tester. Phew! It looks great, I’m looking forward to trying it.
Wow, it’s fantastic! A perfect fit and beautifully sewn.
Ah…I was hopeful that you opted in for pattern testing this Carolyn…and you didn’t disappoint! Your blazer looks fabulous…and all THREE of your welt pockets are super. {Seeing how two of the pockets cross seams is exciting and a bit scary, LOL.
Beautifully styled in both settings!
Waaaw! This is really beautiful!! Karolien (from northern hemisphere )
A beautifully made and stunning blazer Carolyn! I love your fabric choice too.
Oh Hells Bells this is fantastic. I’m so excited by the learning potential this pattern offers …. Closet Case Files just knock it it out of the park in that way don’t they (no doubt in part due to their testing team!), plus I’m just obsessing about coats and jackets right now. I can see why you were so excited about yours, it’s just fabulous!!
Love your version! The amount of work to make a tailored jacket as well as three welt pockets is ALOT and you have a beautiful jacket for all of your hard work!
This jacket is gorgeous, and the shade highlights the flawless tailoring. The color is perfect for autumn too.
Beautifully executed! 🙂 Congrats.
It’s fabulous… and of course you could have worn it out!! Just not on Instagram, tee hee. Glad you’re going to be able to rock it this fall! xoxoox
Really loving the outfit you put together. The coat is fabulous
Spectacular! Xx
Oh, one day, when life is not so busy, I will learn to do this. Yours is fantastic and makes me wish that day were in the near future! I have one question – How will you launder this when needed? I always wonder with these kinds of jackets if they can be cleaned at home or if I would have to send to the cleaner.
Hi Caroline! I would take this one to the dry cleaner; I very rarely give that consideration to any of my clothes but I think it’s wise for a heavily tailored garment like this one 🙂
Thank you! That makes sense. I will file away for the day I have time to do such an involved project. 🙂
This is a fabulous jacket! It is all so professional I’m not surprised you can’t wait to wear it. Lovely fabric too, perfect for your colouring.
It looks beautiful and the colour really suits. Anita from Basel