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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

My awesome fall jacket- Minoru Jacket Sewaholic pattern #4

Tasia, from Sewaholic Patterns, has released her fourth pattern. The Minoru jacket is a lightweight casual jacket that I think is perfect for the fall. I was lucky enough to be a pattern tester for this pattern and it was SO HARD to keep it a secret for a month because I love it! 

Since I am on the mailing list (you could be too!) I got an email about pattern testing and pounced on it. I consider this the highlight of my unemployment. Sitting all day on the computer doing job applications and wasting time on imgur meant I was checking my email constantly. Yay! So I got a copy for free and made it up to check for clear directions and pictures, etc. I finished it at the beginning of October and then I had to wait until it was officially released to show you.
 I made mine out of army green cotton twill with a brown plaid cotton lining. The jacket has a big collar that the hood zips into, so you can hide the hood and tuck it into the jacket. It also has a front zipper (yeah no sewing on buttons!) and elastic at the waist to give it a nice, fitted look. It is such a great jacket!
 Tasia says this is an intermediate pattern, but I think a diligent or advanced beginner could do it. All of the instructions and pictures are really clear and easy to follow.
 Above you can see the collar and hood, and below you can see where the hood can be zipped into the collar.
 Even when pattern testing, I can't resist making some changes although I followed the directions (for once!). I underlined it in flannel to make it warmer and more appropriate for a Chicago autumn and I lined the hood because I was really pleased with my fabric and lining and how cute they look together.
 Equally cute open or closed. There are pockets on the inside for keys or credit cards.
 As you can see the elastic starts on the sides and goes around the back, just enough to give it a nice shape. I like having a jacket that doesn't make me look like a tube. I bought brown metal zippers with gold teeth. I like how they look and I also have clear memories of having plastic teeth break off zippers as a kid. I suggest metal zippers. Jo-Ann had a terrible selection and I had to adapt the hood opening for a smaller zipper. Pah.
Anyways, this is a great pattern and I made a really study and well-sewn coat. I am proud of myself. This really might need to be remade in a fun color for a spring jacket, too. Oh the possibilities! I have been wearing it all the time for dog walking and going to work and it is warm and cute. It is on pre-sale now if you join the mailing list and when it is officially on sale you can go here to buy it. There really aren't any parts that I messed up on or did a bad job- so there!

28 comments:

  1. ooh i like your plaid lining! so fun!!

    i was a pattern tester for this pattern too... i need to get my pictures up :) such a good pattern, i can't wait to see everyone's jacketssss!

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  2. You did a great job, it looks fab and really cosy. I've pre-ordered the pattern and am really excited about it. It does look a little more involved than anything I've tried before so it's great to read your reassuring review!

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  3. Looks so great! I did mine without the hood (I was a pattern tester as well), but I may do another with it. I love your shade of green as well!

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  4. It's gorgeous!! I have already pre-ordered this and can't wait to get it. Like you I might use flannel as lining.

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  5. Awesome! i lke it very much, i want do it too :o)

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  6. I really wasn't sure about this pattern when Tasia launched it, but I must say that your version has swayed my opinion! I love the colour you chose and your lining! Very cute!

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  7. Wow!! You did such a good job and I love the fit and color of the outside and plaid lining is such a perfect accent. I can not even imagine sewing a jacket as cute and detailed as this. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

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  8. Thank you for this review... When I saw the pattern on her website I was so happy b/c I had been looking everywhere for a cute but practical jacket for the rainy/snowy New England winters. Your jacket is very cute... I love the color!

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  9. I love your jacket! It looks so RTW. I love your plaid lining. I will have to order this pattern.

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  10. Oh wow - your jacket is fab! The flannel lining was such a good idea, and I love that you used it inside the hood too. I was in two minds about buying this pattern...but you may have persuaded me!

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  11. It looks so good! Almost makes me wish I was pear-shaped, since that's what she tailors her pattern to. I love your plaid lining, you and Mr. Molly can now match! Haha!
    Actually, come to think of it, my mom really likes jackets in this style. Maybe I can use that as an excuse to buy it someday!

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  12. Oh! Right! Now I want one! Great jacket!

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  13. The more I see this jacket, the more I love it. A pattern for a practical, cool make. Rare as hen's teeth!

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  14. Great Jacket!!! I'll be ordering this pattern!!!

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  15. I preordered the pattern last night, and was so glad to be able to see yours this morning. Do you think that this jacket could be made out of Polartec? I thought that if I could make it out of something warm, I could use this jacket throughout Southern California's relatively mild winter.

    --C.B.

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  16. This is fantastic and makes me SO SO SO SO excited to get my pattern and dive in to have my own jacket! Great work!

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  17. Too cute! I love the lining! I wasn't sold on the line drawings but after seeing Tasia's and now yours made up, I may have to order it! It really looks rtw but better! :)

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  18. Molly...this is FANTASTIC! I just can't get over this pattern....it's so amazing to think we can make sporty type jackets ourselves!!

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  19. I am definately pre-ordering this jacket . I love it , your version is great . I have been looking for the perfect "practical" jacket pattern for a while now .

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  20. So cute! You did a great job. I cannot wait to get this pattern and make my own.

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  21. Thanks everyone! I think you could make it out of Polartec, Tasia is going to do posts about making a waterproof version. I wish I had gone up one size because of the thickness of my two layers of fabric, and with the raglan sleeves it means the shoulders would still fit.

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  22. Wow, that looks fantastic. I love the lining and it suits you so well. Nicely done.

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  23. Wow this jacket is awesome. I love that you've lined the hood with the plaid fabric.

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  24. It looks so wonderful! Love the color and the metal zipper. Great work!

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  25. This is really cute - nice job! I have a question regarding prelining with flannel - did you just sandwich a piece of flannel in between the outer and lining layers? I'm from Wisconsin and like Chicago, we don't really have a season where I need a lightweight jacket, so the extra flannel I think would be perfect!

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    1. It more like you treat is as part of the outer layer, sometimes you baste them together. I didn't because the cotton and flannel gripped each other solidly.

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Thanks for your thoughts and feedback!