Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Mood Fabrics' Floral Anorak -McCall's 6531





  I have a confession to make, I love to make jackets, from outerwear to blazers to cardigans. I love to have a closet full of outerwear options for any kind of weather condition. So when this Mood Fabrics' Soft Floral Outerwear appeared online, I knew it had to be shipped to my home.






  Mood Fabric's floral outerwear 

Recently, I have been trying to change my online shopping habits? You see I am very impulsive and visual, that fabric picture just draws me in and I hit the order button like I am under hypnosis. To rectify this impulsiveness, I have started reading all the fabric descriptions, after all the people at Mood do such a great job describing each fabric. Here is the outerwear's description, "This polyester taffeta-like fabric would make a stylish trenchcoat or anorak, with its soft, washed floral print. Pretty shades of purple and charcoal. Crisp like a taffeta, medium-weight. " That sealed the deal, I clicked buy and knew a new outerwear garment was in my future. I had an idea in my head to use McCall's 6531, an anorak jacket, I had it in my stash for quite some time and it was just waiting for the perfect fabric. The soft floral is a perfect fabric for this jacket.


  Let me tell you this jacket does take quite a bit of time to make, there are so many details. Pockets with gussets, cuffs, sleeve tabs, front flap, elastic casing and I used flat felled seams to make the inside look so nice.



    This is one project I was happy to have a deadline, you see the Olympics always draw me in and I am mesmerized with the stories and the events. Each night I would designate some part of the jacket to complete then I would treat myself with the Olympics! Some of the incredible weather in Sochi would have been perfect for this jacket. It is just right for a cool spring day.



    I used a Schmetz 90 Microtex needle, which worked perfectly with this fabric. Some things I learned from this garment, I added one inch to the length of the sleeves and they are still a bit short. This isn't too much of an issue, since I will wear the sleeves rolled up for the style. Also, for each element on one side of the jacket, I double checked the placement on the opposite side. The pockets were one of these elements but the elastic casing was the most important - meeting in the middle is an important part. I measured from the bottom of the jacket at the front, side seams to keep the casing even.


    The pattern calls for sew-on snaps but I had Snap Source snaps in my stash and used these instead. I love the look of these, a bit more RTW and no hand sewing. I tried on the jacket to double check the elastic placement and it matched the pattern placement. I also used this for the snaps, which I wished I had not done. I really felt like I thought out every step of this jacket except this last one. The snap should have been placed at the elastic to keep the front flap from pulling and then space the snaps out equally. front and back  
If you want a new jacket for spring, go for this fabric it is wonderful. If purple is not your color, a soft gray floral lace is available.



    Do you notice something different in these pictures? Yes - NO SNOW! Spring is coming and that means more time to wear my new anorak jacket.






29 comments:

  1. Super!!! Awesome anorak, such rainbow coloring fabrics! You are very suitable.
    Thank you.

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    1. Thank you, Lana, it is fun fabric.

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  2. I adore jackets; your jacket is so lovely. The fabric is perfection.

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    1. Thank you, Melody, I appreciate your comment.

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  3. This is fantastic! Great fabric choice. I have been wanting to make a casual coat like this... I may have to follow suit here.

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    1. Thanks, Kathy, you will love making this coat. I was very impressed with this McCall's pattern.

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  4. Anonymous8:16 AM

    What an intriguing fabric....lovely anorak!!

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    1. It is a great fabric, I love Mood for this reason and many more. Such incredible and unique fabrics.

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  5. Great fabric choice, Lori, it really makes the jacket. Maybe at the elastic waist if the pulling bugs you, you can hand sew a snap on the inside only, or a sturdy hook & eye perhaps. No one else will notice. ;)

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    1. Thank you, Andrea. That is a good idea, for the snap at the waist. I might have to do that.

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  6. Fabulous jacket! And I'm envious of no snow! We still have piles and piles with our snowiest month still to come.

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    1. Thanks, Sharon, We have snow coming again this weekend. I cannot believe you still have your snowiest month yet to come - wow.

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  7. Really cute Lori!

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  8. Anonymous9:43 AM

    This is so cute! And it's so springy! I like Andrea's idea of adding a concealed snap at the waist if it's still annoying you, but you can't see the pulling you described at all. This looks great!

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    1. Thanks, Sonja, you played a role in the "cuteness". I appreciate it so much. I might do a snap but then I wonder how much I will even zip the coat.

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  9. Love that jacket. Perfect color for you.

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    1. Thank you, Donna, I do like this colorway

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  10. The jacket looks fantastic on you and love all the details. That is what makes sewing so much fun…having a great garment at the end. I envy your no snow. It is supposed to be -14 tonight. *sigh* Needless to say we have plenty of snow right now!

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    1. Yes, Stacy, it does make it fun, a great garment not like anyone else's! That is a cold night. We are suppose to get more snow Friday through Monday. Yuk

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  11. Anonymous3:00 PM

    Great jacket! Love the curved hemline and in floral it's so different!

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    1. Thanks, I do like the curved hemline, adds interest.

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  12. Love the color of this fabric, I'm sure you will wear this jacket often if Spring ever gets here! Snow today and more in our forecast of next week! My daffodils are starting to peek through so that's a good sign.

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    1. Thanks, Joen, how exciting your daffodils are peeking through. The news said we are having the 10th coldest winter on record and after this week will move to 9th.

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  13. I love how this turned out. I've had the same pattern in my stash for some time, its nice to see some write up on. Great job Lori!

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    1. Thank you, Treva, you will enjoy this pattern.

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  14. Superb!!! Love the Anorak and the fabric you used!! Exquisite!

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    1. Thanks so much, Tany and I am so happy to see you blogging again.

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  15. What a great anorak! I love the fabric.

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    1. Thank you, Isabelle, it will be well-loved once it warms up.

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