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A few weeks ago I spent the afternoon with my girlfriend Jennifer  perusing antique and thrift stores in little towns south of the Cities.  It was so much fun!  I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but managed to score three maroon velvet curtains for $20!

A few months ago I was in Ikea and found one brown velvet curtain in their “As Is” department for $50!!!  It wasn’t a necessary purchase so I passed, but then instantly regretted it as soon as I got home.  I knew that if I went back (which I wasn’t about to do) they would be gone.  After finding my three velvet curtains for $20 there was no way I was leaving without them – I had plans for all this fabric!  First on my list; a Minoru jacket from Sewaholic Patterns.

I don’t remember ever making a jacket before – let alone a lined jacket.  But Tasia at Sewaholic.net does these fantastic Sewalongs for each of her patterns and after following her updates on the Minoru jacket I felt it was something I could do without too much frustration.

Jacket back

Even though I hardly ever make a muslin – I did with this jacket!   I wanted to check the fit and just see how hard it would be before attempting the real thing and possibly wasting an ounce of my pretty velvet curtains.   I used a king size sheet to make the muslin (another thrift store find) assembling the front, back and sleeves.  I then added the collar and put the zipper in 3 times before I got it right.  That right there was worth the time it took to make the muslin.  After checking the fit  - all was good and it was time to cut into the velvet.

I thought about buying silk for the lining, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for at the fabric stores near me so I just bought what they had (regret).  Same with the zipper – I wish now I would have ordered one from the internet because none of the stores near me had what I was looking for. I knew though that if I had to stop and wait for parts this jacket may have ended up in the UFO pile and I didn’t want to risk that.

I love all the little details of this jacket (inside pockets, zipped pocket in the collar for the hood, elastic cuffs) Over all I’m really happy with it, of course after I installed the lining I realize that I was wearing the U of M colors.  Drew thinks I am on team Gryffindor (of the two I’m told to say I’m on team Gryffindor)  So you can call me Gryffindor or you can call me Gopher…. but I  say I’m harnessing my inner Scarlet O’ Hara!

“Oh, I can’t think about this now! I’ll go crazy if I do! I’ll think about it tomorrow.”