Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Tremont Jacket

Just now finished my first Tremont Jacket from The Sewing Workshop (TSW). I like it quite a lot. And there is much to like!



This pattern has not yet been released but Linda Lee allowed participants in the July Sew Kansas to trace a copy. She tells me that the final version is off to the printer and should be available in about 2 weeks. I think this will prove to be a very popular jacket for TSW.

There are some small differences between my jacket and the final version of the Tremont Jacket. My tissue contained separate cuffs and I was short on fabric so that was a good thing. The final version has cut-on fold back cuffs.

Also I have mine crossing left over right which of course is the wrong way. This is OK but you cannot see that the left and right fronts are different. Here is how it looks with the left and right fronts positioned correctly:



The things I love include a sleeve design that sits right at my shoulder. That is my favorite sleeve. The armhole is deep and it is not a set-in sleeve but that will allow easy layering without a blouse sleeve ever bunching under my arm.

I also love the neckline. A lot. I think I've seen this in another TSW pattern. The back collar is actually part of the front pattern piece(s). You sew the shoulder seam and back neckline in one continuous seam. This creates a right angle seam right where the back collar and the shoulder seam meet.

The right angle is not terribly difficult to sew in this stable cotton Ikat. However, this right angle became a fun feature because I got to apply another technique from Marla Kazell's recent lecture at an ASG event in Atlanta. It is also found in the Roberta Carr techniques book. The advantage to the technique is that it strengthens that gap that is created by the 90 degree angle in the seam.

I also used Roberta Carr's mock Hong Kong edge finish as well as the real Hong Kong edge finish. I found I needed the real HK finish on the seam connecting the sleeves to the jacket body. Elsewhere I just used the mock version.

Yet another feature that I like is the opportunity to use Linda Lee's signature mitered corner:


The side seams have deep vents that create a acute angle at the vertex. The result is a lovely drape along the hips, I think.



Lastly I tried my hand at the Spanish Snap Buttonhole. Let me just say that I am feeling very courageous right now. If this had failed, I would be scrambling to fix a hole in my Tremont jacket. Whew!

The Spanish Snap Buttonhole is new to me, but I see lots of related posts out in the blogosphere. Most give credit to Roberta Carr. I highly recommend her book:



The Tremont jacket gave me just the right opportunity to try out a new buttonhole method. It only calls for one button. I wanted to use a relatively large one, too large for a standard machine buttonhole.

I followed her instructions carefully and after 2 samples, I put one in my newly finished Tremont jacket.

Here you can see the wrong side of the jacket front (top part) and the wrong side of the facing (bottom picture). Actually this was sample number 2 but the real version looks just like this. I used red silk dupioni for the buttonhole facings (or lips).

Here is my finished sample.

And here it is buttoned on my finished jacket. I like that the red peaks out just a little.
  
The front side and the back side look identical IMO.
Now I'm just waiting for the temps to drop down low enough to justify a jacket.


20 comments:

  1. Love that pattern and the red HK seams and button hole add great detail.

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  2. Really terrific! Can't wait to try the pattern!

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  3. How interesting! and I like the front crossed as you did it. Subtle difference, but looks better that way. And what a perfect fabric you found.

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  4. Great jacket. I prefer the fit of sleeve at shoulder too. Thank you for showing the button hole technique.

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  5. That is a beautiful jacket. I agree with you in thinking it will be popular

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  6. Love your jacket. Reminds me of the hong kong vest they had some years back. Perfect fabric. I've never tried the snap button holes. Actually was in a class with Roberta and she made it look soooo easy! Your choice of fabric was great. Do you think it will be easy to shorten a bit?
    Marciae

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  7. I love that jacket...that's a "have to get" pattern, for sure!

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  8. It looks beautiful. I also like your subtle red accents. I can't believe I have never tried the Spanish snap, given my aversion to machine made buttonholes. I will have to try it on my next project. Thanks for the showing it.

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  9. A really interesting jacket. I love how yours turned out.

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  10. Such a perfect jacket! I really like your fabric choice and all the detailed finishes. As my grandkids would say - good job!

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  11. Great jacket Martha. Looks like a great layering piece. I'm planning fall sewing now and look forward to this one coming soon on auto-ship, and will be interested in what their gallery jackets look like. I have always liked the versatile TSW Plaza jacket that looks similar. Thank you for a great blog post about it!

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  12. Love it and your work on this coat.

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  13. Hi Martha, I have just come across this jacket. Is the pattern available in pdf form? I live in Australia so pdf is the most practical way I can get access to patterns from the USA. Lynne

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    1. No, I think it's only available in print. Sorry

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  14. I would love to buy this pattern. Please let me know when available.

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    1. It's available now!
      sewingworkshop.com
      I've made several and really like this pattern.

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  15. I have just sighted this jacket which I really like. Is the pattern available? I live in Melbourne, Australia. Glenise.

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    1. Thanks. Yes, it's still available sewingworkshop.com.

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  16. Can they please make it available in pdf? I also live in Melbourne and shipping is killing!!!

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    1. It's now available in pdf check the sale page of TSW website, hoping to start mine this weekend.

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