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You are here: Home / Updates & Project Progress / Losing the Blazer Battle to Win the Blazer War

Losing the Blazer Battle to Win the Blazer War

June 2, 2012 by Jodi 15 Comments

I hate quitting. I hate failing. I hate giving up. But there are times when it is appropriate to throw in the towel and admit that

I can’t sew this blazer…. yet. 

There is a difference between not doing because it is hard, and not doing because… well, you just really don’t know how to do it. I just don’t know how to sew this blazer. These Burdastyle directions don’t include any diagrams or pictures, and the pattern markings are minimal and cryptic. The directions themselves are not even coherent to me. What piping straps? Where am I cutting which dart? Why aren’t my seams matching up? Is there supposed to be a fold here? I just don’t know!

So I am setting this aside. Admitting defeat in this battle, but not giving up the war.

I will still sew myself a blazer. I love this old denim one I bought in college. I wear it all the time, even though it fits me poorly. Probably because it makes me feel suave and sophisticated even when I haven’t showered in days and I have boogers hiding on my shirt underneath.

(caught in “The Blazer” at a friend’s birthday party)

So, tell me. If I give up on the Burdastyle pattern, which one should I make?

This one?

Option #1: Butterick 5619 (View B)

(image source)

Pros: It’s unlined and could be a nice light weight for summer. It would be simple in assembly and allow me to focus on fit.

Cons: I’m not sure if I like the collar. Also, I would have preferred a full length sleeve. And, sadly, I can’t find any finished samples of the jacket on Pattern Review.

or….

Option #2: Vogue 8781 (View A)

(image source)

Pros: This is the classic look I am going for. It is rated “intermediate” and I think  I can handle that.

Cons: Shoulder pads are not my style, at least not that extreme of a pad. Also, possibly having to adjust princess seams and raglan sleeves intimidates me. It’s not a big deal, but it isn’t what I was hoping to do.

…or…

Option #3: Vogue 1293

(image source)

Pros: Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous.

Cons: Rated “advanced”.

– UPDATING TO ADD SOME OF THE EXCELLENT SUGGESTIONS –

Option #4: Vogue 8333

(image source)

Pro: This looks like a totally classy option. Lovely details. This would be a high end couture type jacket, in line with what Vogue is all about.

Con: “Advanced”, this would be time consuming. It actually might be too much couture for my stay-at-home-mom needs.

Option #5: Butterick 4610

(image source)

Pro: Classic shape. Basic Pattern.

Con: It’s a Butterick, so it won’t have those nice extra details that Vogue has, but do I really need them?

Option #6: McCalls 6172

(image source)

Pro: It’s a Palmer & Pletsch pattern which has OODLES of tips and details included in the directions. This is also a very classic cut. The welt pockets are a classy detail.

Cons: …. ?

So what should I choose? 

Filed Under: Updates & Project Progress Tagged With: blazer, burdastyle, butterick, jacket, pattern, sewing, tailor, tailoring, vogue

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Comments

  1. Meg says

    June 2, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    So I chose option 3 before reading your pros and cons, after which I think I still choose option 3 but only if it’s easy enough and less cryptic than the Burdastyle.

    Take heart! At least you can sleep at night knowing that there is someone else out there (not too far away) that is MUCH worse at pattern sewing than you are. (I know that’s not much of a consolation, but hey, it’s what I got 😉

    Reply
  2. SewLittleToSay says

    June 2, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    Have you looked at Vogue 8333 (sorry – I’m not sure how to post a direct link)? It is a Claire Shaeffer Custom Couture pattern and so the instructions should be fairly comprehensive.

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      June 2, 2012 at 5:54 pm

      I don’t know how I missed that one! Much better than the raglan version.

      Reply
  3. Charity says

    June 2, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    I like option 3 best as well… and I think you are quite capable of advanced sewing: those suitcases you make are amazing. Just as long as there are a little more instructions than the first blazer you tried. =)

    Reply
  4. Lakaribane says

    June 2, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I vote for option 3 also. It’s advanced because there is trim inserted in almost all the seems (not really clear on the photos but Caroline of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic is making is/made it).

    Or the Shaeffer that I covet myself. Good luck and sursum corda!

    Reply
  5. Jodi says

    June 2, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    It is a beauty isn’t it. One concern I have with #3 is the higher collar. It might be less flattering on the mom-pooch I have…

    Reply
  6. Beth says

    June 2, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    You always do look super cool I that jacket!
    Voting 1 or 6.

    Reply
  7. Francisca says

    June 3, 2012 at 6:39 am

    I would go for option 4 Voque 8333, just love the detail on the side. And I know how it feels, I tossed a dress in a corner, just had it with the pattern and instructions and bought one in the store for a wedding. Good luck

    Reply
  8. Lou says

    June 3, 2012 at 11:30 am

    My fav is #4 by far! Just absolutely love the lines & especially the details..but I’d save it till after some exp. I love #3 also. I bet you’d have no trouble with it because of what you’ve sewn before! Oh my heaven’s — look at you suitcase & all your beautiful purses!

    Reply
  9. Christina Poynter says

    June 3, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    I love option 4! It looks so classic and awesome!

    Of course, option 6 is also classic amazing but without the Vogue difficulties, so overall, I have to vote for option 6.

    I’d go option 5, but I’m not a fan of the sleeve length.

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth says

    June 4, 2012 at 8:42 am

    Myself I’d pick option 6 because of the oodles Of directions. I would need them. But the vogue 8333 is beautiful. I guess the best would be to strike a balance between ease of sewing and a pattern you love. Good luck!

    Reply
  11. Jill Frank says

    June 5, 2012 at 10:54 pm

    I think I like 5 and 6 the best for their casual look. Each of these will flatter slightly different body types. So, I guess I would start there – what style would look best on your figure. Be careful of the length – you don’t want it going right across the widest part of you. Most of these patterns you can go down to your local chain fabric store and actually pull the directions out of the package and take a look. Hopefully they will be good enough to get you through. Good Luck!!!

    Reply
  12. Celeste says

    June 11, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Vogue #4 is amazing and I hope you will make it someday because it would great on you, but I think Butterick #5 would work and be the most like the original. It would be great to get a victory at this point!

    I googled a little and don’t know if you did the test square to make sure your printer was making the pattern the right size:

    http://www.burdastyle.com/discussions/site-and-pattern-corrections/topics/jorinde-4112-test-square-sizing-issue–2

    Also, on the Burda site you are supposed to be able to hover over the instructions and ask a question at each step if you need help. I think you have to join for this, though. Just throwing this out there. I have never used a Burda pattern and I applaud your fearlessness at jumping right in.

    Reply

Trackbacks

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