Sunday, November 7, 2010

La Roux-Look What You Do!

Yes, this is the jacket after
a weekend of Halloween partying...

DD got me to hurry up and finish the jacket- something I DON'T like! The result is never what I want, and this time was no different. The lining and vent seams are not to my normal standards but what can you do? She wanted to wear it Friday before Halloween so I sewed till my fingers bled- literally. Good thing this jacket is cotton and washable!

I never had time to finish the buttonholes before she started wearing it and when she came home and I looked at that collar... That's it! I thought. Why bother. She'd been spraying her hair red to look like La Roux.



But then I started scrubbing, using a nail brush, cold, then hot, water and lots of soap. Nearly all came out, but I see the jacket is still dirty in some places. What, did she roll in a pile a dirt?... Teenagers...

Here are some shots from today after finishing the buttonholes and buttons. My gravity feed iron water tank came crashing down from the ceiling on Friday while I was in a frenzy to the finish line, but isn't that always how it goes. Anyway, that's why the pressing is not happening at the moment.



The original jacket by
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac
 

La Roux must have made a patch on the lower left front pocket, covering up the green with a black and white scribble paint. I painted a white pocket using Jacquard fabric paint. Because this is a fitted jacket whereas the original is straight cut, I had to use some trickery to get a balanced angular effect. The lower pockets are cut straight parallel to center front and the corners are not at 90 degree angle to one another. I shaped it on the form to get the best effect.

Likewise, the rectangles on the side/back had to undergo a little "optical illusion" as well. I used Steam A Seam to temporary bond in place and then hand stitched.


Below is how I did all the binding, curtesy of Roberta Carr, of course! She doesn't mention Steam A Seam but I'm sure she'd approve of cutting corners once in a while, don't you think?

ClaireOKC asked if I've taken any classes with Roberta Carr:
I wish! Her book is a treasure-trove of helpful information and I can only imagine how wonderful she must have been in person.


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Sleeve vent



Working vent

The pattern I used was BurdaStyle 11-2009-119, doubt a review would be very useful. Can't even remember what changes I made... DD is very happy, people wanted to know where she got her jacket, and everyone knew who she was dressed up as.  Guess La Roux is a big deal. And now, thanks to a good scrubbing, she can continue to wear it. Just don't let anyone look too closely at the finishes!!!

13 comments:

  1. This jacket took some skill to make! It's nice to know mom's still make kids Halloween costumes even once they are almost grown. I live in London, but had never heard of La Roux until now. My children are only 3 and 6. Maybe I'll know what is going on again in about 10 years, lol.

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  2. Your blog never disappoints me, your creations really make the most of home-couture, and when I'm sick of looking at the suburban drek pushed by the Big Four, I know you'll perk things up with some real coastal style!
    Great jacket!
    Inkstain
    http://chanelno6.blogspot.com/
    (I've added you as one of my favourite links on my new blog)

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  3. You've made another stunning garment. Your daughter must be very pleased.

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  4. Amazing job, your daughter will be the envy of all.

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  5. Aahhh! I love that La Roux album!! I can't believe you put so much time and effort into a Halloween costume! Please tell me she'll be wearing it all-year round, right? It's way too nice for just Halloween...

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  6. Fantastic! What a great tip on the binding method. That tip alone makes the book very worthy of purchase - thanks for another "insiders tip" on sewing references!

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  7. You never fail to impress! That jacket is amazing.

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  8. I would like to submit my application to be adopted by you. While I am neither nordic, tall, or blond -- I can project fairly well in a theater. Please let me know if I should send you refrences from my current mother. At this point, I'm fairly self sufficient. I'll just need you to sew for me every so often. That's it. Bargain, right?

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  9. Oh wow, gorgeous! After putting all that work into the jacket I would have made her do all the scrubbing, though!

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  10. This jacket is spectacular. The painting you did on the bottom right pocket is so unexpected that it makes it just that much more fabulous. Does DD know how lucky she is?

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  11. This is a spectacular jacket! I'm so very impressed! Congratulations!

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  12. Just A-MA-ZING!!! Fabulous work and style, Bravo!

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