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Silk Wool Blend Gray Jacket with Black and Silver Braid Trim

Jacket Lining Silk Charmeuse of Abstract Fish

Close Up of Abstract Fish, Palm Tree Buttons and Chain

Silk Wool Blend Gray Jacket with Black and Silver Braid Trim

 I learned to sew at a young age and was always fascinated by the gowns and suits that were worn by celebrities and models.  As a teen I would sit for hours in our hometown library looking at Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Seventeen magazines.  My mother and grandmother encouraged me and I was able to try and create from those images.  Coco Chanel's suits with all the braid were my favorites and I dreamed of making a Chanel Jacket.

  Susan Khalje's Threads article "Inside a Chanel Jacket", Issue 121, Oct/Nov 2005 inspired me to seek her as a teacher and mentor.  I was fortunate to be at the 2006 American Sewing Guild Conference where I was able to see her jacket and couture designs in person.  This motivated me to prepare for my Chanel jacket; I read through all my past Threads magazines to look for more information on couture. 

In October 2008 my friend Jan found the beautiful silk and wool blend gray boucle for my jacket.  I purchased a gray silk charmeuse for the lining and didn't realize until later that it was an abstract print of gray tone fish. Keeping with a tropical theme, since I live in Florida, I purchaed pewter tone metal buttons with palm trees.  I wasn't able to find my initials like Coco Chanel's CC but the buttons are in her style with the palm trees surrounded with a metal border.

In a seminar with Susan Khalje, I learned how a couture garment begins with a muslin, precise fitting and pattern preparation. I enjoyed every minute of the days it took to begin the jacket: fitting, cutting the fabric with generous seam allowances and quilting the jacket fabric to the lining.  Finishing the jacket took many more days for me since all of the lining, setting the sleeves and the pockets were all sewn by hand. 

For the trim I used three different braids, approximately 15 yards in all, for the jacket edges, pockets and cuffs.  The  pewter buttons are featured on the pockets and cuffs;  the jacket closure is done with large jacket hooks hidden in the braid and lining.  The finishing touch is the gold chain around the bottom of the jacket; Chanel added this chain to counterbalance the weight of the pockets, buttons and trim.

Thank you Susan Khalge and all the contributors and editors of Threads for all of your inspiration.

Sue McCollough, Florida 

nanasue, member
Posted on Oct 24th, 2010 in sewing, garment construction, reader's closet, hand stitching, trimming, chanel jacket

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Comments (6)

EvaDress writes: Delightful!
Posted: 2:41 pm on October 29th

jansquires writes: What a beautiful job! And to think you would take your precious time to share with others to inspire them to get involved with Susan. Susan and Sue are a perfect match! We're proud of you!
Posted: 1:06 pm on October 29th

SewAnxious writes: Sue,
Way to go! Love it for sure.
See u soon!
LNR
Posted: 12:32 pm on October 29th

SusanKhalje writes: I thought that jacket looked familiar!!!
What a lovely job you did!
And enjoy wearing it - you'll look smashing!
X
Susan
Posted: 5:17 pm on October 25th

nanasue writes: The pockets are lined with the charmeuse, the trim added and then sewed on by hand. This is done after the jacket lining is completed. It was an awesome experience and a dream come true.
Posted: 9:59 pm on October 24th

zybet writes: Great job! Did You attached pocket after lining or before? I can't wait when I will be able to attend Susan Khalje's class. It must be awesome experience!
Posted: 6:49 pm on October 24th

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