Fabulous Falda

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Every-time I catch a glimpse of my new Falda Jacket I’m amazed that I actually made it… and of course in awe of the pattern making skills required (take a bow Pattern Fantastique) to create such unique, bold and edgy, but yet totally wearable, garment.

This project definitely made my brain work a little harder than is normally required when I sew, but it was oh so worth it.  I’m beginning to see the correlation between challenging projects and increased sewing satisfaction levels.

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This jacket has been ‘in progress’ for quite some time.  I purchased some rust coloured denim from House of Cloth in Bendigo (a big shout out to my fabric scout Sarah and her Mum for acting as the courier!) just after I had finished sewing my first Falda Jacket 18 months ago.  Did I mention that ‘big projects’ often daunt me and take a long time to find their way to the top of my sewing queue?

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I cut out View A (an unlined version with patch pockets) in April, took it away with me on a sewing weekend that same month and made a good start.  Sometime in July I had the head-space to insert the zip (always a challenge for me!) and add the neckline facing.  I then finished the jacket on another sewing weekend in August.  Slow and steady wins the race right?

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I bound the edges of some of the internal seams… not all of them (I prefer to stay sane) but enough to give the insides a little bit of a lift.

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When I sewed my last Falda Jacket I was nervous about the top-stitching so I used all purpose Gutermann sewing thread in a matching colour.  This time I felt ready to tackle proper top-stitching thread… you know the real deal in a visible colour!

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Thankfully my Bernina Record 730 (a vintage machine from the 1960s) is a workhorse and it managed the multiple layers of denim and top-stiching thread without one complaint.  When sewing with top-stitching thread, I use a normal all-purpose polyester thread in my bobbin and, in this case, a denim needle.  After this project, my top-stitching fear has totally disappeared.

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And to finish, some photo to show-case those seriously big sleeves and a spectacular local magnolia tree.

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Pattern:  Pattern Fantastique’s Falda Jacket (View A) – available in PDF or Hardcopy
Size:  8
Fabric:  Rust coloured denim from the House of Cloth in Bendigo and Liberty tana lawn binding (which I made myself!)
Alterations:  None!
Accessories:  Scarf from Scarlet Jones
Location:  Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne

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14 comments

  • What a beautiful jacket! Great piece for changing seasons and what warm coral suits you well.

    (I was just thinking of you the other day as I was planning my next knitting project and contemplating buying a set of Addis needles. I wondered what needles you use to knit!)

    • Thanks for the jacket love Sarah Jo. I have just invested in a set of Lykke interchangeable circle needs but I’m yet to use them. I have brought quite a few sets of Addi mental tipped needles and I find that I can knit a bit faster with them (they have more slip) but I like to have wooden needles for plane trips… and that’s were a lot of my knitting happens. Hence I invested in the Lykke set. Clear as mud?

  • It’s so great in that colour! Will forward your post to mum – she’ll be thrilled! Xx

  • Lovely Anna. Superb finish and gorgeous colour. Obviously special store where material was sourced! Stunning magnolia background.

    • Thanks for you help Jenny. I strongly believe that this special fabric made the jacket! Oh how I love magnolia season… partly because they are stunning and partly because it means the warmer weather is on it’s way!

  • Top-stitching is amazing!

  • Amazing colour, looks gorgeous! House of cloth have some lovely fabrics!

  • Such a fabulous colour on you and yes, a seriously mind boggling piece of patternmaking I agree! I so love a good magnolia and that’s a beauty, hopefully fragrant too?NIce work on the topstitching.

    • Thanks for your kind words Lesley. Sewing and magnolias make my heart sing so I’m pleased to have combined the two in this blog post.

  • Now you’re talking my language, Anna – slow and steady sewing! haha. The jacket is fabulous – I’ve been staring at the line drawing of it for the better half of the last five minutes. Your topstitching adds so much to it – and is impeccable. I can image that would have been a little nerve wracking!