Tag: Lekala

Jackets & Jumpers vs 30 Wears

Published on by sewTreefog1 Comment

Given our climate, I only wear jackets and jumpers (sweaters) for about 4 months of the year. Most of my casual jackets get worn frequently, but the dressier types, such as suit jackets, are worn much less frequently.

* On-Track – since I expect to get around 10 years wear from my jackets, those newer items which are getting around 3 wears a year would be considered as on-track. Those worn less often appear in separate columns.

Jackets

So here is the stats and breakdown for the jackets. My casual jackets get well worn. The couple that aren’t worn as often is because one having really stiff fabric and the other is a colour which is difficult to pair it with. The majority are plain colours which are easy to combine with other garments.

The dressy jackets don’t get a lot of wear, largely to changes in job roles (no board meetings) and a largely casual lifestyle. They still need to be in the wardrobe for some occasions. Classic styles and good quality construction means they will be wearable for a long time. I just don’t need to make any more. I still have fabrics in stash for dressier jackets but they would be better used for a more casual style. Which is a bummer as I’d really love to make a couture French jacket.

Jackets vs 30 Wears – 65% on track. Dressy jackets don’t get worn often
FavE Jacket Patterns

These are favourite jacket patterns – a classic blazer, classic jean jacket and more elevated jean jacket that works well in linen and a parka. I’ve used Lekala and Knipmode patterns for these, as I’ve already done the hard yards fitting them. Most pattern companies have a version of these. The red knit jacket shown below is an example of how I’ve used a dressier pattern that has a lot more of a smart-casual look.

Jumpers

This was a surprising success with only three garments not making the grade, bit close to it.

Jumpers vs 30 Wears – 85% make the cut. A few that aren’t worn that often

Fave Jumper Patters

I have a few go-to patterns here. The main standouts are:

  • McCalls 6614 – Great as a light – medium weight jumper with a little bit of shaping
  • Kwik Sew 3818 – The North Face Denali look-alike
  • Ottobre 2017 #5 – Good basic. Change up the collar something different
  • Pattern Emporium Be You Tee – Love this for a sweater knit

Takeaways

  • Don’t need any more dressy jackets
  • French style jacket, if I make one, will need to be more casual in appearance
  • Stick to classic styles
  • Preferably solid colours. Prints need to be able to be worn with different colour pants, (or black and blue) to be useful

Sew the look : Lekala 4420 Blouse

Published on by sewTreefog10 Comments

Remember those rust pants from a previous post that I was trying to find tops for?  Well here is the second instalment : a casual summer blouse using Lekala 4420 Continue reading “Sew the look : Lekala 4420 Blouse” →

Bouclé Knit Blazer

Published on by sewTreefog7 Comments

I’ve been working on this knit blazer one and off for the last couple of months.  This week I had a meeting in Melbourne and took the train down.  With six hours on the train, I finished all hand-stitching the trim and getting the button sew on.

Knit blazer – finished

Continue reading “Bouclé Knit Blazer” →

Lekala 4708: North Face Knock-off

Published on by sewTreefog2 Comments

One of the best things about sewing is being able to knock-off designer brands.  Not only to you get a custom fit garment at a fraction of the price, you also have control over the colours and fabrics.   This Lekala pattern (4708) looks to be based roughly on The North Face’s Arcata hoodie.

Continue reading “Lekala 4708: North Face Knock-off” →

SWAP 2018: Pink shirt and grey jeans

Published on by sewTreefog2 Comments

Over the long weekend, I got a bit of time to work on my SWAP plan.

Lekala 4002 – Baby pink cotton

The first item is a cotton shirt sewn using Lekala 4002. It is an interesting design, with a side panel and an angled yoke that extends through onto the sleeves, with a faux bow for decoration. The fabric is a tightly woven cotton – the kind that a needle has trouble punching through. The colour is a delicate pink that can almost look white depending on what it is worn with. Continue reading “SWAP 2018: Pink shirt and grey jeans” →

Lekala 4695 : Lined anorak

Published on by sewTreefog2 Comments

The weather here is warming up and nudging above the 300C mark. It’s a bit late to be making a cool-weather jacket but when I saw this pattern released by Lekala (4695), I just couldn’t resist. Ordered and printed the evening it was available, and completed two days latter. Not bad going, but took two weeks to take the photos. Oh well….

  Continue reading “Lekala 4695 : Lined anorak” →

Autumn sewing wrap-up

Published on by sewTreefog1 Comment

It’s been almost three months since my last post.  Most of my spare time has been spent enjoying the great outdoors or working in the garden.  I’ve been sewing a little, but not getting around to editing photos for a write-up. So its high time for a quick catch-up.

Continue reading “Autumn sewing wrap-up” →

Lekala 4466 Knit Blazer and other finish objects…

Published on by sewTreefog6 Comments

Lekala 4466 in a textured knit

lekala_knit_blazer_cream_frontI bought this gorgeous textured knit from my “local” indie fabric store at the same time I picked up the pixel plaid wool.  The pattern I had in mind was Lekala 4466  which is designed for knits and has a shawl collar, princess seams and two piece sleeves. Continue reading “Lekala 4466 Knit Blazer and other finish objects…” →

Lekala 5917: Goretex Jacket

Published on by sewTreefog6 Comments

Charcoal Goretex Jacket - front
Charcoal Goretex Jacket – front

For the last 10 years I’ve been wanting to make a Goretex jacket.  The RTW one I use for skiing and hiking was designed for  someone much taller than I am.  Making my own would mean I get a good fit plus have control over pocket styles and added extras like pit zips and detachable hoods.  So what has been stopping me all this time?  The  main issue is can’t really decide on the design I want to make.  Some of the slim-fit RTW climbing jackets looks so nice, but maybe not so versatile.  The other issue is the paralysis of not wanting to cut into expensive fabric. Continue reading “Lekala 5917: Goretex Jacket” →

‘Start with a skein’ SWAP: Pack 3

Published on by sewTreefogLeave a comment

The third pack in the SWAP consists of two garments that use the same colour scheme as the first two packs and tie them together.

Pack 1 was off-white, with the print in the top including blue and browns.

Pack 2 was mainly blue, but the shorts also had a dash of tan.

So this pack features shades of off-white, mid-brown and blue with a orange highlights.  Orange will feature in the final pack. Continue reading “‘Start with a skein’ SWAP: Pack 3” →