To indicate how much I wanted the whole thing to be a special event, I carted my husband to Atlanta on a fabric shopping trip. To further show how ambitious I was feeling, I purchased coordinating fabric to complete the entire capsule. The fabrics selected were this light gray boucle and a dusty rose. They were perfect for the spring and summer months in which I thought I would wear this ensemble. Boy, did I receive the challenge that I thought I wanted...
This jacket. Let me say the instructions and pattern are both fantastic. They were clear. Any error was 100% end user - meaning me! The first time my seam ripper came out was for the sleeves. Somehow I did not gather the shoulder seams evenly. I ended up with a puffy left shoulder. This is the place that slowed me down the most. Not because I was busy fixing it. Mainly because I just put it on my dress form and gave it the stink eye regularly. I helped a friend make a Halloween costume and worked on the costumes for my kid's school play. Pretty much every excuse I could find to procrastinate ripping out those seams. Finally, I gathered myself and got back to it.
Once that was remedied, the jacket just hung heavy on me. It looked sorta like I slept in it. All of the time. I decided a bit more structure would do the trick. So I inserted shoulder pads between the lining and the outer layer. There was a lot of internal debate about this. I remember shoulder pads from the 1980s. I also remember that the best ones were the velcro ones that could be removed for washing. I also know that I tend to take my jackets on and off throughout the day to suit the office (or meeting!) temperature. I didn't want shoulder pads flipping out at some inopportune moment. I also really like the feel of a well made lined jacket, and I didn't want to the inside to have anything interrupt that feel.
Upon further review, I probably should have made an adjustment to decrease the sleeve cap for my slight shoulders. I think this would have addressed both the shoulder pouf and the slumpiness of the shoulder. Another thing that would have really helped this slept in look would have been a jacket chain, I think. These observations are just to help me for next time. They are in no way to be overly critical of the final jacket. I'm very pleased.
I think it would have been very helpful to read the new Threads Fall 2021 article about Boucle. The fraying and handling.
Pattern: Butterick B6738 *currently on sale & I get absolutely nothing for saying so :)
Fabric: Boucle from Fine Fabrics USA
Adjustments: installed shoulder pads
Final thoughts: The fabric was a great choice and makes the jacket. I love it for work and with jeans. I'm still looking forward to tackling the other garments in the capsule.
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