Style Arc Sloane

 

I thought I needed a blazer, but maybe I didn't. Sloane didn't work out exactly the way I thought it would. It does give me a couple of options, though.

From the pattern illustration, I was anticipating a relaxed, boxy, casual blazer. Mine ended up looking a lot dressier, and while it is boxy, the fit seems really slim.

The fit was almost a pleasant surprise. The shoulder width is pretty close to mine, much neater than expected. I picked the correct size for my bust, but there is not much ease there. That's unusual for an unfitted jacket.

Altertions I made to the pattern: shortened sleeves by 1-5/8 inches. They are long! Added 5/8 inch to each side seam at the hip for a total of an extra 3-1/4 in circumference. There are pattern pieces for welt and patch pockets. They blend in, but there are patch pockets on my version.

Comments on the pattern: There is shaping in the back seam, which is nice. The sleeves hang well, with a nice curve that follows the arm. There's a back vent. I might have totally misread the directions, but it seems like the way Style Arc has it finished, the interfacing shows. I made a little facing for the underlay so that it would be covered, and opted to miter where the vent joins the hem.

showing the curve of the sleeve

Sloane is unlined, and the front and back facings are the type I like on an unlined jacket, extending all the way to the armscye. This gives more structure to the chest and shoulder, and a sharper look overall. The pattern has shoulder pads as optional. I wanted to include them, but the ones I had on hand were too thick and didn't work. I may try a thinner pad if I can find where to get a few pair without having to order a dozen.

I took the time to do a hong kong finish on the seam allowances so here are the insides to show them.

The main reason that the blazer doesn't look the way I thought it would is due to my fabric choice. It's a cotton with the merest touch of stretch. It looks way dressier than I thought it would, reminding me of some silk dupioni jackets I wore to the symphony back in the day. So I'm not sure of how I'll wear it. 

I could leave it as is and have it for art openings. I'm a mixed media painter, and when I'm in a show I never seem to have the right thing to wear for openings. You want to have something that sets you apart and lets the crowd know you are the artist, but I'm not comfortable in flamboyant clothing. If I wore all black with this blazer, that would be a look I'd like. Downside of this choice is that it would only be worn a few times a year.

Alternately, I could do some topstitching on this to make it look more casual. It would probably get more wear that way.

Right now I'm inclined to keep it for dress-up.

If I ever make this again, I think I would size up and add darts, and make it in a fabric with less crispness. But now that I've made it, I wonder if a blazer really works for the casual life I lead.