It’s the season of luscious fabrics and luxurious looks; holiday parties are in full swing and I bet you’re wondering if your wardrobe is up to the task of a new look for each round of festivities. That’s where free patterns become a sewist’s best friend. After trying my hand at Mood’s Zinnia Jacket pattern last month, I started thinking of different ways this jacket could be styled. For this one, I went with a gorgeously smooth velvet, ruched sleeves, and few gold buttons to top off the royal vibe.
Fabrics & materials used:
- 4 yards Merlot Grape Polyester Velvet
- Two 24L and One 32L Gold Shank Back Buttons
- 4 yards 2″ Stiff Transparent Horsehair
- 1/2 yard Black Elastic .25″
- MDF076 – The Zinnia Jacket Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
The main alteration I did this time around was to adding the rouging along the inner forearm of the sleeve. This makes the jacket a little more wearable indoors, perfect for holiday parties where you may be bundled up against the snow on the way there, but you still want an adjustable layer when you’re indoors.
To do this on your own, begin by sewing the inseam of your sleeve with the wrong sides together. Keep your seam allowance small, only about 1/8″. Next, tack the end of your elastic just below the elbow of the sleeve, as you can see in the top left image below.
Trim the elastic to about 2″ in length. Stretch it to 4″ and tack the other end down, as you see in the top right image below. When you release the stretch, you’ll see about how much it will gather. Lastly, pull your sleeve inside out and sew along the inseam again, this time with right sides together and normal 1/2″ seam allowance. Stretch the elastic as you sew next to it, making sure not to catch it in your stitches.
Attach your sleeve and continue with the pattern as normal to complete your jacket! The elastic naturally pulls your sleeve up a bit for casual wear and makes it easier to push them up if you get a bit warm. The perfect transitional layer for a party!
The last alteration I did to this pattern was to add a bit of stiff horsehair to the bottom facing of the jacket. This gives the hem a little more body and a bit of bounce as the wearer walks.
What have been some of your favorite ways to alter a pattern? Let me know in the comments below!
16 comments
How would you rate this pattern as easy to hard? Thank you!
Hi Amy – this one is fairly easy! There’s no lining or zippers to worry about, which can sometimes be tricky in my opinion. I’d say it’s a great way for a novice sewist to try their hand at a jacket!
Hey out of interest, could this pattern be made to work for a man instead?
Hi! Yes, it could! You may just want to flatten the curve of the side front piece a bit at the bust.
Hey, I’m fairly new to sewing and sizing ALWAYS makes me anxious! Please confirm if this is US sizing.
Hi Tamryn, yes this is US sizing! 🙂
I know it says no lining but in the picture it looks like it is lined or is that my imagination?
Hi Monique – that’s the back of the fabric that you’re seeing. 🙂
I’ve actually made this – I didn’t think I could do it – but I did. Thank you so much for having this pattern online. Cheers
How do I submit photos of the jacket made? Thank you
Hi Jocelyn! If you have an Instagram, you can tag us @moodfabrics or use #MadeWithMood! You can also leave a review of the fabric you used on moodfabrics.com and include a photo as well. 🙂
Thank you for the likes Courtney. You are awesome. I had to make a couple slight changes to the pattern. 1 – I didn’t add the elastic into the sleeves (and I love long sleeves 🙂 ), and 2 – even though I purchased beautiful little gold coloured buttons for the sleeves – just as I was about to sew them on – I realised I couldn’t. I permanently use forearm crutches – and the buttons would be catching on the arm rest – the last thing I wanted to do was to rip the velvet when putting arms inyto the crutches by them catching on the buttons. Also, I wasn’t able to create the garment from mood fabrics – as my budget at this time won’t let me buy any of your fabrics – even though I love them all.
Apart from all of that – I made some minor seam adjustments to allow for my body shape. Everything else is just perfect. Thank you Thank you Thank you. I don’t think I’d have ever made this coat if you didn’t have them available online.
I’ve also almost finished the Kalimeris Moto in faux stretch leather – and that is also working out beautifully – will share photos when I have the lining attached to the outer jacket. Love your designs 🙂
I thought you might like to know that two of my friends have asked me to make them a Zinnia Jacket too – one wants it in a fuschia pink colour – the other in a midnight/navy blue. In a couple months I hope to show you photos of them too 🙂 🙂
Is the material a stretch or can I use a non-stretch fabric instead of the polyester velvet?
Hi, Lisa! This fabric is non-stretch. I definitely recommend wovens for this pattern! 🙂
Hi
Can this pattern be used with wool as a winter coat? Thanks
Yes, that would look stunning! You may want to add a lining to the project though.