Rosarium Rayon - A Little Somethin’ Jacket -

Welcome to the island of Kauai, where it’s usually warm and you don’t need a jacket, but, sometimes you just need a little somethin’!

Yes, it’s true. Rarely does one need a jacket on the island, but, there are still occasions (Terno Ball) or places (Safeway … think air conditioning set to sub zero) where a lightweight layer is needed or wanted. Rayon is the perfect fiber to make this “A Little Somethin’ Jacket” out of… it provides drape and a luxurious feel.

The pattern is by CNT Pattern Company. It includes sizes from 8 up to 24, options for 3/4 length sleeve or full length (I chose full length) and a choice of 22 1/2” or 25 1/2” finished length (I chose 22 1/2”).

Because the pattern has a wide range of sizes, I always trace off the size I’m making onto Pattern Ease or Pellon 830 Easy Pattern. Other options are tissue paper, non-woven interfacing, newsprint or Swedish tracing paper. By tracing off the pattern, I have left the other sizes un-touched in case I want to make one for a friend AND the one I’m using is easy to pull out and make over and over.

Have you ever had a blouse, shirt or skirt want to “wrap around” you when you are wearing it? That is because the item was not cut on the straight of grain. To make sure I’m cutting on the grain, I measure on each end of the grainline arrow to the selvedge, keeping them both the same. Yes, I still pin my pattern to the fabric, and yes, I cut with scissors.

The seam allowance is 5/8”. I chose to do French seams throughout the garment. I do own a serger, and use it quite frequently. However, I didn’t want my jacket to flip open and see that serged seam. I wanted a more finished look. To accomplish this, I put WRONG sides together, stitch at 1/8”, then flip it right sides together and stitch at 3/8”. (Foot A)

This pattern is kind of cool in that it is only two fronts, two sleeves and one back piece. The front edge of the jacket is self faced and it wraps around the back of the neck. It’s 6 seams and then all hems. Crazy!