Thanks for the DIY advice, gang!

[cupcake_goth]

Of course, I was amused by the fact that most of the comments were along the lines of "Huh, wouldn't it work better if you made a bustle-y jacket from scratch? Here are some patterns to look at!" I'm touched by the faith you people have in my sewing skills. I think you're all FAR more optimistic about them than I am, but I am touched.

Until I work up the courage to attempt making a jacket all by myself, I am going to search thrift stores for a good candidate for alteration; an unlined hip-length jacket w/ princess seams would be ideal, but I don't know how easily I might find one.

And since it wouldn't be a proper post about this sort of thing without a question from me: where do you folks prefer to buy ruffled or gathered lace? Yes, I know all about www.cheeptrims.com, but I would love to find a good (bulk-order) source for 4" (or wider!) black ruffled lace trim.

Comments

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

I'm touched by the faith you people have in my sewing skills.

At the risk of repeating myself once too often, it isn't rocket science. Sewing (for oneself, at least) puts the fun in fungible. Start with a project you won't mind screwing up too much.

[bork.livejournal.com]

Alteration sounds good. I'd also recommend getting a jacket you'd like, but could sacrifice, and take it apart. Reverse engineer it, if you will, to see all the parts that go into it and how they fit together.

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

It isn't rocket science, but it requires some reasonably heavy math skills, a very specific kind of hand-eye coordination, and the willingness to screw up something that could be very expensive to do over. That's why I haven't bothered--I know from my days in junior high sewing classes, where I fumbled every project I tried, that I haven't got the right collection of skills to make complicated garments (e.g., anything with curved seams) from scratch. For some of us, it just *isn't* as easy as it seems.

[cherryheavy.livejournal.com]

Jackets are difficult even for seasoned taylors. Play around with what you can find in the stores, it's fun!

[martygreene.livejournal.com]

If you get a pattern that does takes the proper steps to tell you how to adjust it (ie. a non-standard packet one, so not from a fabric store), you don't need math skills beyond reading your tapemeasure, and maybe basic additon/subtraction. Seriously. I've never had to do anything more than add or subtract two numbers, in order to make a pattern fit properly, if it was a good pattern (such as the truly victorian ones).

As for curves and stuff, having a machine that lets you control the speed is good- go very slow at first, and work your way up to sewing fast.

This is also where the wonderful world of mock-ups comes on handy. Muslin is cheap, and that way if you mess it up you're not messing up your expensive brocades and velvets.

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

Let me put it this way: I once screwed up a project that required nothing more than a hole put in it and a single straight seam, because I measured the fabric wrong.

Really, honestly, some of us are better off NOT trying major projects. :)

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Part of why my sewing skills never improve is because I don't have enough time. The amount of time I would have to spend making a mock-up, adjusting the fit, and then making the garment from the final fabric (including time for my inevitable screw-ups) is time I could (or should!) be spending on other projects. Plus, I'm impatient. :)

Which is a big part of why customizing things I find at thrift stores has always appealed to me. It's (slightly) faster.

[martygreene.livejournal.com]

if I recall correctly- we're similar in measurements, at least in some places. If you wanted to shoot your measurements my way (martygreene at gmail) I might be able to help you out, if'n that's something you'd be interested in.

[mahariel.livejournal.com]

JoAnn's periodically has spools of 4" lace in their bargain bins, usually located next to the buttons and trims. Black lace makes an occasional appearance in these bins, for about $2/3 per spool, with about 2 yards per spool.

Don't bother looking for them at the Southcenter location, however, as I consistently buy them out whenever they get it in.

-Victoria

Buy the one with the lace at the back.

[maiaarts.livejournal.com]

The first jacket was really gorgeous. And you would learn the most from something well made. The second jacket didn't seem to be as well made as the first.
And they would look DARLING!
Go - buy - then have soemone figure it out for you.