FINISHED! Ocean spray scuba saunio

I made this quick and easy jacket up on the weekend and wore it to work on Monday.  It's another of those makes that makes me laugh a little when I wear it. But first, let's talk about the fabric.  It's Ocean Spray Scuba from Tessuti. I have never sewn with neoprene before and frankly I didn't think I ever would until I became just a little bit fixated on it through makes by Oona, Julie and Debbie. I then saw this fabric pop up on the Tessuti website which I stalk almost daily and it was in my cart with my eye on a jacket before I knew what I was doing. It's Tribute August over at the Sewcialists so this is my tribute to the neoprene lovers, Oona, Debbie and Julie!
I took this photo with the fabric on the line. You can see much better here the actual repeat pattern of the fabric which was difficult to see online. The colours were also more vivid than my computer displayed. 
I'm sure there are a lot of people who will be making a gorgeous shift dress or the like with this fabric. It certainly deserves to be showcased. Both my mum and Ben thought I should make a dress, but I was a bit frightened off by the boldness of the pattern.  I couldn't work out where to place it and found it a bit bright for my usual style. I was already out of my comfort zone with this print and with the neoprene, so perhaps I should have just kept going, but I had bought it to make a jacket so after quite a bit of too-ing and fro-ing decided to stick with my original idea of the jacket. 
I used the Saunio cardigan from Named Clothing pattern. It was my first time making up this pattern, but I have enjoyed my experiences with Named patterns and this one sewed up nicely. The only change I'd make next time would be to neaten where the facing meets the bottom edge as the facing is shorter than the front and so you are supposed to turn it up where it might be nicer to turn it under somehow.  Looking at the pictures it could perhaps be a bit shorter, but that is deceiving as the front hangs down because of the way the front crosses over.
I'm not sure I'm a neoprene sewing convert.  It doesn't iron well so I had to do a bit of top stitching with my walking foot where I wouldn't normally: firstly around the sleeve seam and then all the way along the front and the collar. Normally I would have just understitched here but there was no way the facings were going to stay under without it.  The style of cardi/jacket means that quite often it flips out so it's good to have the facings there.  I had studied a RTW neoprene dress at the shops over the weekend and noticed that they simply cut the armhole and the bottom without hemming it. I contemplated this, but in reality this neoprene is just bit thicker than ponte so it felt a bit slack not to hem. I used a twin needle with the hem turned up once and it worked perfectly.  I didn't bother overlocking the seams.  It does have good body to it which suits this jacket well.
All in all I like how this turned out. It's not exactly me, but I am so glad I made it into a jacket as I prefer the bits of pattern that I used, especially on the sleeve seam where there is light and dark. I wore it to work on Monday and I admit to feeling just a little bit over the top in it, but I enjoyed wearing it. I like the Named Saunio pattern: the dropped shoulders and 3/4 tapered sleeves. It won't be the last time I make this pattern up.
As for neoprene, I've probably done my neoprene now. But never say never. What about you? Are you dipping into the neoprene craze? Are you participating in Tribute August?

44 comments:

  1. I think it is gorgeous. I'm not sold on the thought of neoprene - I somehow think I'll sweat badly in it. I am going to look up that pattern - you've inspired me!

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  2. What a statement jacket! I am certainly a fan of bold prints and this is pretty amazing. I think it suits you. Haven't considered neoprene yet but will check out the other makes you linked to. Named patterns delivers again, so love their stuff. Maybe I should look them up when in Helsinki!!

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  3. Its great to see this pattern made up - I don't think I'll be scuba-ing in the near future, but I agree the makes you have pointed out have been striking, as is your jacket! It's a lot of fun, and it's wonderful to be fearless with fabric and pattern choices - the blue looks lovely with your hair and colouring too.

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  4. That is SO cool! The print is AMAZING and you've worked it so well with the style. Blue is so pretty on you ;-)

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  5. Neoprene. It's not just for scuba divers. You've just shown that perfectly.

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  6. Cool jacket. I keep looking at neoprene and then I head towards ponte fabrics. I just have to find the right neoprene to tick this off my sewing bucket list.

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  7. That is a gorgeous fabric. I wouldn't have been able to resist it. I have been hovering around the neoprene. But haven't caved yet!

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  8. Good on you for stepping out of your comfort zone and trying a new fabric, that's hard to do I know! I've been experimenting with leather lately and I'm more than ready to run back into the arms of familiar old cotton lawn. I think your jacket looks great and I especially like the dropped shoulder.

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  9. I love this, the blue is lovely you. Ive had my eye on that fabric ever since it appeared on the Tessuti website, mainly the print rather than the neoprene. I didn't know what id make, thought it may be too hot for a shift or even a tank. I think you have the answer with a jacket.

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  10. You should have made a dress! This jacket turned out beautifully and the fabric made it stand out. I like the contrast between this turquoise blue and red. I bet your jacket makes everybody smile ;)

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  11. This is so awesome! That fabric is just crazy in all the best ways!! I've never even HEARD of neoprene before this year, and now it seems to be everywhere! I'm pretty intrigued by it, but also find it a bit of a head scratcher. Actually I was really surprised, and pleased, to see your 'on the line' picture because I never imagined neoprene having that much drape! Anyway, I love what you did with it here. It works really well as a jacket, and the colors suit you.

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  12. Thanks Sallie. I was really surprised as well when it arrived in the post to find it had a bit of drape and was much thinner than I expected. The joys of online fabric shopping - you never really know what you are going to get. I agree that neoprene seems to be everywhere at the moment... probably in 6 months time we won't be able to find it anywhere again!

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  13. Ha! I thought you would say that but I think that YOU should make a dress with it. It would look amazing on you for sure!

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  14. Thanks Barbara. As soon as anything new pops up onto the tessuti website I'm tempted! I think it could work well as a spring shift as it is pretty lightweight - although of course it doesn't breath.

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  15. Thanks Bella. I like the dropped shoulder too. Oh yes, I am keen to run back to some lawn :)

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  16. I think the dress may have been just a bit tooo crazy as you say! So much neoprene happening at the moment! Good luck with it - it's fun.

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  17. There is some great neoprene on the sweet mercerie website but postage is crazy and I think I need to leave neoprene alone now... although you should definitely try it :)

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  18. I agree Maria, it's all about the right print. Well I've ticked this one off now, so I'll be moving on :)

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  19. I wish I could but my zillion-metre stash does not let me! Besides, I go to NYC in November... Well, you understand.

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  20. Thanks Debbie. It's so hard to know what the fabric will be when its an online purchase but despite it's craziness I'm happy with it. Thanks for sending me into the neoprene craze.

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  21. Thanks Sarah. I remember in your cardigan search you pointed to this pattern. The front does have a tendency to flap open but overall I'm happy with the style.

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  22. Your scuba blazer is unbelievable. Thanks for reminding me of it. Do you get lots of wear out of it?

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  23. Ha, yes, it's bold! You should definitely look them up when you are in Helsinki. I can't wait for their next release.

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  24. I don't think I'm a convert to neoprene and now I want to make up the cardigan again in a more 'me' fabric. I'll be looking out for a thick knit to make it up again.

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  25. Yeah our summer seems to be over and so I have been wearing it more now. It's good over jeans.

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  26. NYC in November!!? Lucky!! You will be adding to your stash there for sure.

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  27. It seems to be a good trans seasonal fabric :) Do you have plans to make anything else out of neoprene? I think I'm done for now, but I could be swayed by the right print...

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  28. No plans right now...but then my plans often fall by the way side haha. I have 2 summer tops I am determined to finish before I move to autumn/winter wear.

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  29. for just a moment were you tempted to make an enormous cocoon style jacket that basically just involved a few curved seams and wrapping it around you? With fabric that gorgeous I'd be tempted to!
    Your jacket is great and you will get so much wear out of it during the last of the cold (though slightly more cold in Canberra).

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  30. That print is amazing, it's got so much movement! It looks great as a jacket and I love the turquoise with the red underneath. I don't think I'll be taking part in tribute month as not getting much sewing time at the moment but I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's makes!

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  31. What a great idea! Wouldn't that be amazing. You know, this is going to sound weird but I actually became slightly over awed of the fabric - isn't that weird. Almost like it was an ocean that was too rough. I felt very intimidated by it!

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  32. Holy shit this fabric is amazing!! I've had my eye on this pattern for a while, it looks so great made up, I never would've considered neoprene for it. Love this colour on you too.

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  33. i'm having deja vu here-- maybe i only commented on IG? it really does look so cool on you! and such a good idea to make a vivid print up in a chic jacket, so you can take it off if you ever feel too crazy (of course, i believe in never-enough-crazy). FABULOUS!

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  34. Thanks Kathryn. I didn't think I was going to participate either but then this turned up and so it seemed a good opportunity!

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  35. Thanks Amy. The pattern is nice. The facings add a nice finish.

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  36. The color is just gorgeous with your hair! Adorable make.

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  37. Damn. This is crazy awesome!

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  38. I am quite tempted to make a full short skirt with neoprene - but am not sure where I could wear it! Maybe better to make one for my daughter. Love the colours in the fabric you have used.

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  39. I've seen some cute RTW skirts and dresses made with neoprene, but the difficulty in pressing it has held me back. I love the print though, I am all about crazy prints :)

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  40. The print itself is so fun and very cool. I agree that it's a bit loud- but I think you made the right choice in making just a jacket out of it. It limits commitment on your sewing time and you can pull it out whenever you wanna be flashy!

    As for sewing with neoprene, haven't quite considered it but I'm curious now. I don't know how seasonal it would be in the fall, but who knows? I might be surprised!!

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