Jewel in the crown
This is my second and final contribution to the Japanese Sewalong on Tanoshii. It’s another win from Casual Sweet Clothes by Noriko Sasahara. I’ve sewn the Jewel-Neck Jacket with Bow (Pattern D) in a stunning Japanese cotton from Tessuti (purchased in 2014). I do have a weakness for Japanese cotton… Liberty… linen and of course European knits (joyful laugh).
My jewel-neck jacket is bow-less and in fact fastener-less as well. I’ve left off the single snap for now… it maybe added later, or not! I expect the latter.
This is an unlined casual jacket which will be a great transeasonal piece. Perfect for a crisp Autumn morning of shopping:
The raglan sleeve has a separate front and back piece which gives great shaping in the shoulder. The volume in the sleeves is definitely bottom-heavy and the three-quarter length is flattering.
The jacket is drafted for woman who are 165cm tall (that’s me) and I found the jacket length to be perfect straight out of the packet… er book? I like my jackets on the shorter side.
Finished pattern measurements (including ease) suggested I made a medium and my calico showed no need for ANY alterations *gasps*. Making no fit changes is refreshing and I expect it will encourage me to sew more patterns from this book!
There was one little lesson learned during this make. Japanese pattern books don’t include seam allowances and you are given guides for adding seam and hem allowance in the cutting diagram. On this occasion the back facing only required a seam allowance on the short ends and the curved edge that joins that jacket. On my first attempt I added the seam allowance to the wrong curved edge and couldn’t work out why the back facing was so big. I originally expected I might have traced the wrong pattern piece (yes, I’ve done this before too!) but after back-tracking I realised my error. A minor speed hump in an otherwise straight-forward sew.
Pattern: Jewel-Neck Jacket with Bow (Pattern D) from Casual Sweet Clothes: Favourite Pieces for Every Day by Noriko Sasahara
Size: Medium
Fabric: Japanese Cotton from Tessuti (purchased in 2014)
Alterations: None!
Outfit: Painting a Picture Top (blogged here) & NYDJ jeans
Accessories: Scarf and shoes from Scarlett Jones & bag from Hack Leather in Cologne, Germany – bought with my beautiful friend Anne.
I am absolutely smitten with your jacket. So much so I am Googling the book title now…
You have such a classic piece there. Love it!
Did the book offer finishing garment sizes, by chance? Would be nice to know how much I would need to grade up.
I’ve already waxed lyrical on IG, but I’m here to say I have no idea why this book isn’t in my collection! It might have just been added to my shopping cart. And I, like you, find I don’t need to make alterations to Japanese patterns. It makes me a very happy maker.
Me too Jillian! I didn’t think this book was for me, but you’re rapidly changing my mind!! I adore everything about this jacket – the fabric, your styling, the neckline and those perfect sleeves. Gorgeous.
You are on a roll!
A Japanese roll at that… 🙂
Looking at these more detailed photos I’m falling more and more in love with that jacket, and I’ve already loved it so much on instagram!
It’s a great jacket Catrin. I’m definitely on a post sewing high… Thank-you so much for hosting the sewalong (and extending the date!). It was just the gentle nudge I needed to dip back into my Japanese pattern books.
Really love this.
Have be tossing up whether to make this or the Vogue 8146 jacket… in brocade… thoughts?
That’s a tough one… The biggest difference is the collar & the bell sleeves on the Japanese pattern. Collarless is fine with me as I’m such a scarf wearer. It works well with shirts too (which I rarely wear). If I think of you & these jackets I can see you in the Vogue one. I think the combination of the volume of the swing jacket & bell sleeve on the Japanese pattern might swamp your small frame. What where your thoughts… And now I want to make that jacket too!
And now I want that vogue pattern.
Lol I think you are right. I think in brocade the bell sleeves might drive me nuts. The Vogue sleeves are 3/4 which appeals too. I found it made up in upholstery tapestry and it looked amazing… so I think it will be the vogue – with just one button. I was thinking about eliminating the collar but I rather like how it stands up in a heavier fabric. Making a very rough muslin tonight to check the fit.
I just knocked up a rough muslin. It’s adorable. 🙂 I never muslin but this was worth it!
Excellent news!
Great jacket – boxy goodness! I am loving your style Anna – I just trawled through your archives, and your colourful and quirky style has inspired me to trawl through the stash for some combination inspo!
Thanks Rachel. My style has evolved a lot in the last two years and I feel at ease with my quirkiness and love of bold colours.
Beautiful jacket! That fabric is gorgeous! I don’t have easy access to Japanese fabrics but I can see (from your blog) that they are wonderful!
I’m very blessed that I have access to Japanese fabric at a local store. It has lovely texture, interesting patterns and a lovely medium weight that still has some drape.
I love your choice of fabric Anna, it reminds me of gorgeous giant alliums – you always pick the perfect fabric for your projects!
Inspired by your Tessuti Sophie top without the lapel, I’ve just finished mine, I love it but it has armhole gaping – should have made a muslin but I was too anxious to get started 🙁
Thanks Janette. Fitting issues are so annoying. As boring as muslins are, they do serve their purpose. I hope your Sophie is able to be saved.
Your jacket is really stylish. I love the fabric. It is the perfect marriage if pattern and fabric.
Thanks Andrea. And the good news is that I have a little more of this lovely fabric for a little project.
It’s lovely!
Liebe Grüße aus Berlin,
Mond
Thanks Mond. You’ve made some lovely dresses for the sew-a-long.
So beautiful!!!!!
Thanks Griselda. I loved making this jacket.
Bum this is another book that I now NEED! Absolutely amazing Anna, really well done this rocks.
Yes sorry about my enabling… That being said, it’s a great book.
Looks great Anna. How fortunate to get such a nice fit with no alterations. Lucky you. It looks a bit like a cape and is a very fashionable silhouette. nice one.
Just realised that I haven’t raved about this jacket to you yet. Please let me rave now – it’s such a wonderful fabric/pattern/Anna combination. Superb!
[…] Pieces for Every Day by Noriko Sasahara. Yes, it’s the same pattern that I recently made an unlined Japanese cotton jacket […]
Wow!! I just stumbled on your blog! I love this jacket!!! Your style is lovely!! 🙂
[…] a great scrap buster. Do you recognise the Japanese cotton I used? It’s left over from a Japanese Jacket I made earlier this […]