LJ Designs LaConner Jacket

Reviewed by:	Ann Smith	About Ann Smith CA USA Member since: 8/24/02 Reviews written: 154 Sewing skills:Advanced Favored by: 185 people patterns reviewed: 151 Bio: I love to sew for fashion, especially unusual designs. I own way too many patterns and fabric! I hav...full profile
Posted on:	11/7/02 2:52 PM
Last Updated:	11/7/02 2:52 PM
Pattern Size:	Regular
Project Photo:
Pattern Photo:	Pattern Information provided by Ann Smith
Pattern Rating:	Easy to sew
This is a new pattern line for me. I decided to try it with a large remnant from a coat I sewed and reviewed a few weeks ago. I thought it would work well as a casual wrap to knock around in that would coordinate with the same clothes that the more dressy coat works with. I chose the sizing by my high bust measurement which had the waist and hip measurement close to mine. I cut and sewed it up with no alterations except my usual sleeve shortening of 1 inch. After it was constructed I felt the shoulders were way too wide. It does describe it as an extended shoulder. I guess I don't like that on me anymore. So I just took in the sleeve/shoulder seam 1/2 inch. That helped alot. I also had to shorten the sleeves another 1 1/2 inch. The pattern describes the jacket as having 8 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches ease at the hip. Now that is mysterious to me. What does that mean? When finished, my jacket had only 2 inches of ease at the hip and my hip measurement is an inch less than the size allowed for. The instructions are incredibly complete. There are 14 (!) pages of instructions for the two jackets. These are jackets with only 5 pattern pieces, no lining, no buttonholes. The print is quite large which is rather nice as it is easy to read at a distance but I found having so many pages of instructions rather a bother. There was some repitition of information and large pictures to show things clearly. It would be very helpful for a beginner.