FINISHED! Caramel Sydney

I have become quite fixated with vest jackets and short sleeve jackets of late, so when the Sydney Jacket was released by Tessuti, I immediately snapped it up. I dreamed of making it up in leather, a deep blue leather, but when I rang the Fabric Store, it was suggested that I might need 4 hides, so in the interest of money and perhaps checking out the pattern first, I asked instead for a range of wool swatches to choose from. 
The caramel won out over a camel as I have always loved this colour and lately Chloe have been tempting me on instagram with clothes in rich colours from this palette which I find hard to resist. This wool is a really lovely soft wool with great drape and warmth that I ordered from the Fabric Store in Melbourne when they were having a 30% sale day.
I received the wool on Monday, cut it out on Tuesday, and sewed Wednesday and Thursday night for a short time each night. The pattern is not hemmed, so cutting, which has never been my strong suit is important. I recommend, and this is probably obvious, cutting a single layer at a time. I also neatened up some seams with my ruler and rotary cutter.
The pattern was fun to put together and I surprised myself by enjoying the method of construction which is to layer the fabric over each other to create the seams. It was in some ways like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. There were only a couple of spots in the instructions where I had to really think about how to attach pieces. I found marking the 3/8 seam and then laying the fabric on the marked line absolutely essential.
The instructions call for sewing in the middle of the 3/8 inch seam, but instead I sewed closer to 1/8 inch which leaves a slightly bigger seam of fabric on the inside, but the 1/8 suits my preference on the outside of the coat.  The smaller seam makes it less obvious that the fabric is overlapped, which some people might like as a feature.  I made up a petite, the smallest size with no alterations. 
I am so happy with this coat. I thought that at first that it might not look modern and smart, but I think it looks really great with both these outfits photographed and I wore it on Friday night with my jumpsuit and felt truly a million dollars.

This is already a very popular pattern popping up regularly on instagram. Every version seems to be great. Great work Tessuti and yes, I'm still keen on that leather version!

44 comments:

  1. This looks so classy, expensive and designer! Great make.

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  2. Really lovely - I was tempted by this... now I think I'm sold!

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  3. Such a gorgeous colour and very chic on you. Caramel with stripes - I swoon!

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  4. lovely! I've been wearing my version a lot - such a great layering piece.

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  5. It's definitely a #woohoomake!!! I really want one of these, and thought I might get away with the petite, but it looks like the shoulders could definitely be a bit of an issue... though my shoulders are quite small for my height. Might just have to give this one up and enjoy you wearing yours xx

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  6. Ooo love it! It does look a million dollars, love it with those pants too. I really like this pattern, and it would make sense up here in Brisbane...just waiting for the right fabric now!

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  7. This is so great! I love everything about it. And of course your whole outfit. PLEASE do it in leather. That would be amazing!

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  8. This is beautiful! Love the jacket, yes, but your whole outfit and style is just so gorgeous. x

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  9. Oh my god I loooove it! Caramel is such a good colour for coats and the silhouette seems to go well with both wide and narrow leg trousers on you. So good!

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  10. You look very stylish, lady! This coat enhances all the beautiful colours of autumn around you.

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  11. Great colour for your new coat. You look really stylish in it. Now I'm curious about the construction. I´ll have a look at the pattern.

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  12. Fantastic! Again!! This is just so stylish I can hardly handle it :-)

    And YES leather leather leather DO IT pleeeeease

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  13. Really lovely Kirsty. I hadn't been tempted, the whole short sleeved coat/Canberra winter thing, but now I am.

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  14. This is such a winner, KB! The 1/8 stitch line is definitely a winner up close- it makes it look neat and down plays the overlapped fabric :D This is such a winner a leather version may be just the ticket... ENABLING!

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  15. Love the Caramel! I was tempted not to take Helen's off when I tried it on, those outside seams sound intriguing & it looks great.

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  16. So gorgeous! I love your styling - it looks so chic! I cannot wait to wear mine too! X

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  17. A Sydney in Canberra! I love this pattern - was in Tessuti's today and resisted the urge to purchase. Too many current projects - but would like one just like yours.

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  18. Gorgeous! The colour is so perfect. Did you make those amazing wide leg trousers too?

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  19. I love this coat! It looks so modern and smart!

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  20. Definitely modern and smart! No doubt about it. I love the colour you chose too. It will never date.

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  21. Nice, love the colour camel and 30% off wool is super! Imagine you'll get a bit of wear from this over the next while with the cold weather. Saw a pic of the snow at Jindy today on ABC IG - very jealous we werent down there!

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  22. This is a great jacket for day time in Canberra when the sun is shining but it's a little bit cool! Yes, it looks like a great start to the season. fingers crossed it lasts.

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  23. I did make the trousers as well. They were a test of a new pattern.... soon to be released :)

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  24. This is a nice project for in between harder projects I think. It's a lovely layering piece.

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  25. I love the colour of yours. I think I also need one in navy.

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  26. They are a fun jigsaw puzzle! Will you make one ?

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  27. Perhaps in Melbourne I will pick up some leather dear Ms Enabler!

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  28. I hear you re the short sleeves but find this is just the ticket on sunny cold days - or in the office when it seems to be colder than usual!

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  29. Leather is still front of mind - but need to find something a bit cheeeaaaper!

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  30. It is such an Autumn palette isn't it. I find it funny how the colours I want to wear and be around changes so much with the seasons.

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  31. Thanks Marilla - yes it works super well with both shapes!

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  32. I will do it in leather - but I want to see the hides first. I'm not sure I want to spend the money buying online....

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  33. So lots has happened since this post and now you have your Sydney. I hope that you are finding things in your wardrobe that make it work :)

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  34. Thanks for the inspiration of yours. You were so quick off the blocks with this one!

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  35. Stripes with anything, but yes with caramel in winter - hard to beat!

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  36. The phrase 'jigsaw puzzle' tempts me alot, you know me too well ;)
    I'll beg another try of Helen's, I have the wool waiting patiently here...

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  37. I might have got some navy cashmere/wool coating in Brisbane this weekend...

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  38. Smart, modern and all class - be warned if you make this in blue leather there will be many a lady (myself included) ready to swipe if off your back when your not looking...

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