Sparkly sparkly - Burda #101 7/2011

Friday 9 September 2011
Thank you all for your diplomatic comments to my last post, magoo you are so right that everyone has left very polite comments! And snarktastical what a good idea to cut the top off to level it and then flip it over - the reason I didn't cut the top off was because I didn't want the crumbs in the icing sugar, but now it just seems so obvious.....

In the end it didn't matter, because the cake tasted fantastic (how could it not with that much icing on it!) and my husband was very surprised and happy because it's the first time someone has made him a themed birthday cake! I cannot believe that he escaped childhood without a train birthday cake or some other creation from the Australian Womens Weekly birthday cookbook (the most famous book for cakes in Australia).  Actually I find it a little sad, as I have lots of memories of my birthday cakes from when I was little, but perhaps the Chinese don't go over the top the way that some of us do!

We had a small party for about 50 people at a local restaurant for him and his best friend who was also 40 a few days earlier, so of course I needed something new to wear.  I decided to make this sequin jacket from Burda 7/2011, model no 101.


It's a number of firsts for me.  Firstly, not only did I make something from the Burda magazine within the same month I received it, I actually made this about 2 days after it landed in my mail box.  Now if only I could do that each month I could fully justify the purchase.

This is also the first time I've sewed with sequined fabric too. I was a little wary of it because the fabric was $50/m, but it turns out that it was no harder to cut or sew than a thick denim - I just went slowly and carefully and there were no problems.  I chose this bronze coloured teeny tiny little sequins, which even though it's on a stretch mesh background it's quite heavy fabric:


I made a minor change to the pattern cutting the back piece on the fold instead of having a centre back seam. I couldn't work out why there was a centre back seam at all because the pattern doesn't provide for any shaping along that seam, so I figured it was best to have as few seams as possible since I wouldn't just be able to overlock the edges as usual.  I would have liked to have also eliminated the shoulder to cuff seam by cutting it out as one piece (therefore only having the side seam and underarm in one long seam), but my fabric wasn't quite big enough to do that.  But surprisingly the sequin fabric pressed quite well so the seam sits flatly.

Here's my version:




It is quite shapeless, but it draped nicely almost like an itchy heavy cardigan because of the weight of the fabric. I left this unlined as per the pattern, but I might go back and line it because the fabric is a little scratchy against bare skin, and I found that without a solid foundation like interfacing or lining the neckline stretched out a little and the jacket kept sliding off my shoulders due to the weight of the fabric.  Although a closure at the front might help keep it on too.  We'll see, I'm usually quite bad at going back to fix something once it's made and worn, and who knows when I'll be wearing a sparkly jacket again!

On the inside I bound the seams with sheer grey organza strips which on the one hand turned out well because they are almost transparent, but on the other hand the organza is fraying a bit because I was too lazy to double fold the strips so that the raw edges were on the inside.  Live and learn.  I wasn't sure if this fabric would fray, but I was worried that the sequins might start falling off near the cut edge and plus they were a little sharp in places so it was good to enclose them.


For the neck facing I used strips of the selvage, and for the front facing I just cut the pattern pieces out with the front edge lined up against the selvage so I could just fold it under twice and hand stitch it down.  This worked out well, because if the jacket flipped out a little the facing wasn't too noticeable because it was the same colour as the inside of the jacket anyway.


So for such a simple shapeless little jacket I actually rather like this.  It's totally unlike anything else I own, and is by the far the sparkliest thing in my wardrobe but it's good to break out of your usual style sometimes and try something new I think (especially if your look is rather classic and somewhat sedate like mine).  Plus I can see me wearing this with dark denim jeans and heels for a more casual look, so it may be versatile than I would expect from a sequined jacket.

31 comments:

  1. I would LOVE some fabric like that!!!

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  2. Looks great! Thanks for all the photos showing how you finished it. That really helps. Happy Friday! ☺

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  3. What a fun little jacket. Suits your coloring beautifully.

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  4. You just sparkle in this colorway, no pun intendede. Its beautiful.

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  5. Hey that's really nice and that colour really suits you. I also want a sparkly jacket to go over a dress I made but I was really worried about not only the $50 price pm but sewing it up. Maybe I'll have a go - maybe for NYE or my 50th next year!

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  6. I thought with this fabric you suppose to rip a row or two of the sequine to make a seam. How was the actual sewing of seams? No broken needles?
    Anyway, I was biased toward sequines too until I bought a top with them, and you're right, it is suitable to everyday wearing!

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  7. What great pictures these are, and you couldn't have picked a better color fabric--you simply glow. Brava!

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  8. It looks awesome, really punches up the black dress and the simplicity of the jacket lets the sequins shine. A risk that paid off in full.

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  9. I'm totally not a fan of sequined jackets, but I'm grudgingly admitting that this jacket of yours looks fantastic! It's a great color & really suits you. I may have to revise my stance on sequins now.

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  10. I think it is really cute. Great color too.

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  11. Yes, I have a blouse with a sequined part and it iches. You have to bind the borders...

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  12. Ooohhh, very glamorous. Glad y'all had a good time.

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  13. That was the perfect fabric for this jacket. And you look fabulous in this...glad your DH enjoyed the cake and the party!

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  14. Love it. So pretty and versatile. , It can be worn dressy with jeans. I personally find sequined fabric to be a challenge to sew. Memories of sewing 4 sequined bridesmaid’s dresses are coming back. Yeah, there was a lot of sparkle in that wedding.

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  15. Definitely a fun jacket, perfect for a night out on the town!

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  16. Great color on you! I could see it with a turtle neck when it's a bit chilly still.
    You sparkle without the jacket... which I'm sure your dear hubby knows!
    Hope he enjoyed his birthday!

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  17. Your complexion and hair really looks striking against this bronze jacket. You look truly beautiful.

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  18. Your jacket looks nice, and even nicer because the color really suits you!

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  19. The fabric is great and the colour is perfect on you. I would never have thought to make a sequin jacket, but this is fantastic. What a wonderful way to jazz up a simple outfit for an evening out. I agree that it will be great over jeans, too. The smaller, subtler sequins make it softer for day wear. I love it. I was planning to check out Spotlight in Hobart for the first time today so if I see any sweet little sequins like that I just may steal your idea!

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  20. What a great jacket. Perfect colour for you.

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  21. Gorgeous! Such a simple pattern but the fabric really shines. Did you see when I used that fabric for Sofie's formal dress. I think hers was a bit more pink than bronze but it was the same http://hongkongshopper.blogspot.com/2010/12/sofies-formal-dress.html Don't throw out the scraps - would be great for a bodice (or part thereof) of a dress to go with the jacket for something very formal.

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  22. Ooh I forgot to say how nice the colour is with your hair as well :))

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  23. You look uber fantastic in this! Work it!

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  24. I love this and think the colour is so flattering on you. I agree it will look great with jeans and heels for a night out so I hope you will be able to wear it again.

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  25. Everybody needs some sparkle in their wardrobe! This colour is perfect on you.

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  26. I love this jacket. It was a good idea to remove the centre back seam, a seam would have broken up the beautiful flow and drape of this fabric.

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  27. Absolutely stunning jacket. The warm gold tone works so well with your hair color. It looks so nice on you. Hope you will wear it a lot!

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  28. Love the glamour of it! Perfect to celebrate your husband's big birthday.

    Going back and fixing things is so tedious. We had a long weekend a couple weeks ago and I devoted it to taking care of all those little things I'd been meaning to do to past projects. Boring!

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  29. It looks amazing! I love your photos in this post. More close-up photos please! :)

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  30. Thanks for letting me know about your fabulous sequin jacket make - it looks great!! I think I've got the exact same style fabric as you (albiet in navy) base on the way the insides of yours look. I bought some slinky navy knit to line it with today as there's no-way I'd been wanting all that itchyness! It'll also take care of that facing issue rather nicely. Am loving this jacket - wish me luck!

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