I expected to love this more… maybe it will grow on me – never say never. I can take a little longer to fall in love or warm to things… so I’m trying to be patient (not one of my finer qualities).
Styled to death 🙂 because that’s how I roll.
It’s certainly a different jacket pattern with a fresh take on construction techniques. We all love a challenge, so curiosity might get the better of some bloggers – certainly did me!
I loved it as soon as it was released. It’s got all of the perfect ingredients – a slightly deconstructed feel, modern, perfect for layering, exposed seams and of course… draped. It should be my perfect jacket. I’m Sydney born and bred so this was a sentimental make, I adore Sydney but I have lived on my beautiful coastal patch for nearly 15 years now. Maybe the salt and sand has seduced me after all.
I love the shorter sleeves, it’s very cool layering piece
- the short sleeves – it’s ideal for those not so cold days, perfect for layering and accessorising
- the seam details
- the pockets
- the length – I love a longer line jacket for when I’m cruising about, they have a bit of flair and drama about them
I think a slightly heavier or more textured fabric might have worked better. I’m not a massive fan of the curved back yoke on me, I feel a little slumped. The lapels feel massive. Yes, I guess I could have fiddled with them for the photos… but this is how they fall on me so that’s how I left them.
This pattern is available as PDF (and printed) and at $10 for a PDF it’s a competitive price. It also comes with an A0 print shop version… which is often a deal clincher for me. My local Xerox shop prints A0 sheets for about $2.50 each. I really can’t stand sticking together A4 sheets and will avoid it whenever possible. It also comes as a ‘print at home’ file option.
The fabric is Italian cashmere coating from The Fabric Store, Brisbane – I can’t go to Brisbane and not go there, lovely store and lovely staff. This is gorgeous fabric that has a beautiful sheen and feels like liquid. If I don’t even up wearing this, I’m hoping to salvage enough fabric from my leftovers and the jacket itself to make a smaller jacket… I’m going to wait.
No scarf… BTW I made up the ‘petite’ version of the Sydney.
I marked 3/8 inch in from the edge with pins, overlapped the edges and then sewed down the middle. You could choose to mark this with chalk or with thread – or by eye!
There are pockets… not in the side seams… and no welts… oh no, you cut through the front of the jacket piece to gain access… yes, that requires a little bit of faith! And yes, more raw edges. The pockets certainly made for an interesting construction step – I love trying and learning new things.
Those lapels swamp me. I didn’t fiddle with them for photos and that is how they fell which I think has to do with the weight of the fabric.
I really enjoyed making this – fun pattern, interesting jacket… Love at first sight doesn’t always happen – how many times have you dreamed of a garment, tried it on RTW and felt slightly deflated? Or felt lukewarm about something and then worn it forever? Well, that happens with sewing as well. This is definitely a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’. Great pattern.. perhaps not on me (I feel like the lone blogger *sobs*).
Taking a moment to soak up some warm winter sun.
There are lots of gorgeous version out there to inspire you…
- FunkBunny (love this colour)
- Sew Unravelled (another glorious colour)
- Made by Mel (featuring the biggest smile!)
- The Stitcher Gatherer (fabulous, just fabulous)
- Thornberry (+ and interesting post about pattern lines and their markets)
- Fadanista (with sleeves)
- Fabric Epiphanies (across the ocean in New Zealand)
- Barbara Jane Made (another great colour)
Pattern: Sydney Jacket by Tessuti
Fabric: Cashmere coating, The Fabric Store (Brisbane)
Boots: Flore from Duo, scarf from Metalicus (old fave), beads from Portmans (years ago)
There’s potential for scoring a part-time job as a windsock at least…
A little bit of swooping action… who doesn’t love a dramatic coat?
Sew Busy Lizzy 
I love your version, the fabric looks wonderful. I think you’ll learn to love it, I wear mine all the time – I can snuggle into it when the wind is blowing, or have it open when the weather is a bit warmer.
I like the idea of the jacket as I love layering pieces but I really do think this one isn’t for me. Perhaps it feels slightly oversized. I am glad that the pieces are so large and unseamed as I think I may be able to salvage the fabric.
Well, I like it! I agree that the lapels look big but perhaps because the fabric is softer but it looks lovely and snuggly. I hope your finger is better soon… the perils of sewing!
I think I’ve got needle shrapnel in my finger so it’s taking a while! The jacket is tucked away in the wardrobe and I will ponder it’s future.
I don’t know for the coat (a little shapeless, I must say), but your pictures are so excellent with your two little girls playing in the background. This really is a “beautiful coastal patch”. Lucky you!
I agree, it is a little shapeless – which something I like, it just seems shapeless everywhere – perhaps that is what bothers me…
I dread sewing through my finger…hope it heals soon. I love this on you…more so without the scarf so the jacket really shines. Love the fabric. The colour is gorgeous. And superhero daughters are a joy! Extra point for superhero mum status.
I’ve sewn for 20 years and never done it – I think being tired, rushing and trying to do so much pivoting was my undoing!
I love it and think it really suits you. It looks comfy and easy to wear, please give it a chance. I love your boots too. Xx
I’ve stashed in my wardrobe while I consider it’s future. I like the idea of it, but perhaps this one isn’t for me, it’s OK not to love everything. I sew because I like experimenting and trying new things – which this certainly has been great for.
I think you’ll end up liking it – but if not, you’ve got a good plan to cut it up and try again! I’m curious too to see if this pattern gets popular up north… I dunno. There is such a short season between warm and bloody cold that I can’t see this being any use outside… but maybe as an indoor layer?
I agree it would work indoors. I think some people see the short sleeves as a limitation – however you can wear warmer layers or more jackets underneath – it does have lots of room. I don’t think it’s intended to be warm so much as a stylish upper layer. I just don’t think it’s my style. Who know I might feel differently next week!
I think it may be all about the styling. What if you tried it with a black long sleeve dress or black long sleeve top with black slacks? I think you need a consistent color blocking underneath the jacket to pull a look. And maybe add a belt to help cinch it closed? That cashmere wool looks super luxe.
The fabric is great. I don’t tend to wear long sleeve dresses as they get too hot most of the time, so I prefer layers so I can adjust to temperature changes. The fabric is gorgeous.
Oh I hope it grows on you!! I love it! I agree with Gillian…this may be a perfect indoor layer for those of us northerners.
I think so too – not everything needs to be outdoor, outer wear. I keep long soft wool knit coats in the office as I find them warmer and more comfortable to wear than most jackets.
I do like the thought and look of this jacket on others, and I love the idea of exposed seams, but I’m just not sure if I would wear it! I love the fabric and colour you’ve chosen. Hopefully it will grow on you and you’ll find just the right way to wear it.
I prefer it on others. I think it isn’t really something that fits into my wardrobe. I had my doubts cutting it out and should have listened to myself – but I was curious and I often say I don’t always sew for practical purposes!
I hope your hand is now well healed.
Having a great costume sewn by Mum would be awesome for Giselle.
She was pretty happy – worth the pain!
I can understand feeling swamped in the jacket but it still looks super chic on you, and warm, oh so warm. How can you resist?
I’m a hard-hearted woman 🙂 I keep putting it on and taking it off – which is never a good sign. It’s great fun to sew though!
Ha! The most glamourous windsock evs! I love the short sleeves and the draped front. And wow, Italian cashmere coating! That sounds dreamy. 🙂 xxx
The fabric is divine – I felt like a dolt for experimenting with it. #idiot
I think this jacket is great. Being a Brit there isn’t the same coverage of styleArc patterns over here, but enjoyed seeing all the versions so much that I’m off to see if I’ve enough boiled wool in my stash to have a go!
Good luck and enjoy!
I had seen this jacket on another blog and thought it looked well worth trying. I like your version and hope it’s a grower for you. I am still on the fence for myself but may just have to give it a go.
It’s certainly fun to sew. I really enjoyed making it – it’s just wearing it I’m struggling with. I’ve seen so many versions I like. I just don’t think it’s ‘me’.
I gotta say that my like for this make was a slow burn. Might still be burning. I honestly thought mine looked like a red lab coat when I finished and I was horrified. I’m like you – I think you have to style it to within an inch of its life to make it work. Maybe not for all people, but certainly for me. I like it on you, but I do understand that certain styles just sometimes don’t fit the life you now live. Hope it works for you x
I actually tossed up whether to post it – as I’m not a huge fan of it on me – but I think it’s interesting to experiment and figure out what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes the making, writing, photographing and commenting process helps clarify it.
I think it might just be a tad big on your tiny frame – reading other people’s makes, it seems that it was an oversized pattern. Have you tried it with a belt? I’m wondering if it would look good
Their patterns do generally seem generously sized. I think it’s meant to be worn open – it’s the ‘vibe’ of it. I like the concept but I don’t think it’s me.
I think it looks very smart on you! the fabric looks beautiful and I love the color too… I hope it will grow on you! Sorry to hear about your painful injury… I hope the pain will subside soon.
the finger is recovering – can’t believe I did it. I guess that’s the nature of accidents!
so beautiful. Its on my winter list and i cannot wait to make it ( just don’t want the summer to finish just yet)
Well at least if you start now you will be ready for fall. I think this would work with your height. Lots of swishing for you!
I really love mine and it is such a departure from my usual style. It is warm and cozy while still looking stylish. I would like to add it can be made successfully if a woven but the construction needs adapting. I have done this and am really pleased with the results and no hemming on mine either! Stay with it, I think it will grow on you especially if you have been feeling the cold lately.
We have had the weirdest winter – some days it is OK and then we get these horrendous ‘artic blasts’ and it is soooooo cold. I feel like lying on the lounge and drinking tea all day!
I kind of liked yours better than the one on Tessuti’s website…
Maybe I should give it a go, although it would be better for summer than winter here 🙂
I dare say so! There is plenty of room to wear warmer layers underneath which I think is the intention.
Love the color and the swooping photo! Thanks for the link to mine!
It screams out for swooshing!
This looks so cozy and nice. What would it look like paired with a huge circle scarf? I think it would be cute! I’m enjoying seeing this on you southerners, but there’s about a one-week window when you can wear a short-sleeved jacket without closures here in the American northeast. I barely even wear my wool cocoon cardigan… it’s either too warm or too cold for it 98% of the time!
I tend to stay away from overly warm wool makes as unless they are jackets I don’t get much use. I’ve got a nice wool jersey sack dress which I only wear on the coldest of days as I overheat in it!
I hope your finger gets better soon! I’m glad your daughter had a great time. As for the jacket, maybe try pinning up the hem to a crop or pin away the lapels to play with the proportions. I had a cardigan do this to me, and eventually, I chopped the bottom off and fell in love. Sometimes it just takes some rethinking to transform it into a loveable peice.
You are so right – sometimes you need to approach things from a fresh angle – thanks for your thoughts.
Oh, the finger!!! My stomach clenches at the thought. And it happened twice?! Yikes. The jacket looks great on you and I’m such a fan of navy blue. The drape and length are gorgeous. I can see why you might feel swamped and perhaps the lapels are to blame, but I don’t think you look swamped. It just looks like a trendy, layering piece. I love your honesty about how you’re really feeling about it though. Sometimes a garment just doesn’t feel like “me” and this may be one of those pieces for you.
Machines tend to sew fast so it went in and out pretty quickly. I thought it went through but when I checked it out post-disaster I think it’s two punctures. It does make typing difficult! And doing up buttons! It’s much better but a little numb which is annoying.
I tossed up whether to post it or not as some seem to interpret it as I’m looking for compliments or having a go at the pattern – which I’m not. I’m just pondering it. I think these makes are interesting. Sometimes things grow on you – or you find a better way to wear or modify it – or you just realise it’s not for you at all. Just like RTW you make mistakes or think something will work and then it doesn’t. That’s life, isn’t it?
Ouch! That sounds so painful 😦
I really dig this style (it looks snuggly and warm with the floppy lapels) but it doesn’t seem to be radiating Liz to me? Maybe a big snuggly cowl or cable jumper underneath? Though at PM you don’t need such things- am so jealous after our -4 this morning!
We did get to 1 degree a couple of weeks ago – and I thought I was dying. #soft
I think you are right – it doesn’t radiate Liz. I think I knew it wouldn’t but I was curious and sometimes I just like to experiment. I’m not always practical!
Your poor finger! Hope it heals up quickly.
I think the coat looks great in these photos, so snuggly and casual with a bit of drama. I think you just have to embrace the oversized look to love it. If I come across the right fabric, this would make a great cardigan for cool evenings!
Yes, I think it would be nice over jumpers inside. I wear lots of long wool knit coats at work – I prefer them to jackets.
I like the coat on you! Perhaps, I’m attracted to the blue – – I will admit. I do have a thing for blue. But it looks cozy and very wearable and I love a good layering piece. Maybe it will grow on you! Also, have you tried belting it? I’m petite, and I often belt things that are ‘oversized’. it’s a different look, of course, but it might be interesting…
I love blue too! I think the back might look odd belted as it doesn’t really fit or flow to the body… I suspect it’s just not written in the stars for me!
I think this jacket looks awesome on you! I really hope it grows on you because it does look stunning. If I get myself organised I hope to make this before winter is over.
I think this would be great for Gold Coast weather – and would suit you!
It’s awful. Can’t imagine who it would suit.
Do you delete negative comments? All that sycophantic burbling.
Does anyone really think that thing looks nice apart from brain dead twits?
Don’t comment if you’re going to be a tool. You just look like an idiot. We all love it so bugger off!
No I don’t.
I think it’s the sort of jacket people love or they don’t. Style is a personal thing.
I don’t hate it but I don’t love it. I do like the pieces are big enough to be chopped up into something else when the inspiration hits. In the meantime I’ve got plenty of other things to keep me entertained.
I buy jackets like this all the time because they’re comfortable and warm and you can just throw them over anything. I can understand why it’s so popular. I love the photos but you have to feel comfortable wearing it. You’ll prob love it more when you just need a quick, easy jacket to throw over jeans. Either way it looks great. xx
Thanks Erin. I love the fabric but I think there is something about the overall width that bothers me. Perhaps if it fitted more over my shoulders I would feel more comfortable.