Okay, so I finally got around to finishing that wool jacket project I was talking about! It’s red, like, a proper firetruck red, which was kinda intimidating at first.
First things first, the fabric. I spent ages hunting down the right wool. I wanted something that felt good, wasn’t too itchy, and had a nice weight to it. Ended up finding this amazing boiled wool. It’s surprisingly breathable, which is a huge plus. Plus, it doesn’t fray like crazy, so that saved me a ton of headache down the line.
The pattern was another story. I Frankenstein-ed it together from a couple different ones I found online and in some old sewing books. I wanted a kinda boxy, oversized fit, something I could layer over chunky sweaters in the fall. Took a gamble and just adjusted sizes and hoped for the best. Probably not the smartest move, but hey, I like living on the edge.
Cutting the fabric was nerve-wracking. That red wool wasn’t cheap, and messing up a cut would have been a disaster. I measured everything twice (okay, maybe three times), pinned the pattern pieces down like my life depended on it, and then took a deep breath and just went for it with my rotary cutter. Slow and steady wins the race, right?
Sewing it all together… Let’s just say my sewing machine and I had a few “discussions.” The wool was thick in some places, especially around the seams, and my poor machine was struggling a bit. I had to switch to a heavy-duty needle and crank up the pressure foot to get through some of the layers. Definitely learned a lesson about patience there. Seam ripping happened. A lot.
- Pockets: Decided to go with big patch pockets on the front. Super practical, and they add a bit of a casual vibe.
- Collar: Went for a simple stand-up collar. Keeps the neck warm without being too bulky. Took me a couple tries to get the curve right, but eventually, it worked out.
- Lining: Skipped the lining on this one. The boiled wool is already pretty warm, and I wanted to keep it relatively lightweight.
The buttons were a whole mission in themselves. I wanted something that would complement the red without being too matchy-matchy. Eventually found these cool vintage-looking brass buttons at a local fabric store. They’re perfect!
After what felt like forever, it was finally done! I tried it on, and… it actually fit! Like, really fit! The oversized look was exactly what I was going for. It’s warm, comfortable, and surprisingly stylish (if I do say so myself).
Overall, I’m super happy with how it turned out. It was a challenging project, but I learned a ton in the process. Plus, I now have a one-of-a-kind red wool jacket that I can wear for years to come. Totally worth the effort!
