Have you ever had that one project you cannot stop thinking about? Not quite to the point of losing sleep but maybe on the cusp? That was definitely me wanting to make a shacket (a shirt jacket). I had never sewn outerwear before (Although as an ambitious beginner I bought the Kelly Anorak Pattern (mistakes were made)) but I definitely wanted to try! Fast forward a few weeks later and the perfect fabric appeared. Core Fabrics received this beautiful Deadstock Italian Wool Coating. I had a little bit of a difficult time choosing between the colours but I went with the tan and white.

On to the Project!

Although there is a plethora of shacket patterns out there, I went with the Fibre Mood Rya Pattern. ( I was intrigued by their model: the pattern instructions for all their patterns are free and then you pay for the pattern pieces). After a lot of deliberation and texting almost everyone I know, I chose to sew up the Medium. This size is the one recommended for my bust measurement.

I did make a few modifications to the pattern. While I love the look of a long shacket, it was not the look I wanted for my first one. Firstly, I removed quite a bit of length. I took about 25.4 cm/ 10 inches from the body pieces alone. After slashing that much length, I decided that the side curves were a touch too deep. I used the bottom curve from Closet Core Patterns Kalle. I used the curve from the front piece of Kalle only. I made no other modifications to the patterns pieces after that. I did “tack” down my pockets to my front pieces so that they don’t hang down and become visible.

What I used:

• As I mentioned before I used this Gorgeous Coating from Core Fabrics I got 2.5 yards
• Atelier Brunette Granito Night From Rives Compagnie for the pockets
• About 3 meters of Atelier Brunette Bias Tape in Palmetto Night from Rives Compagnie
• Beautiful Antler buttons (made from shed antlers) I purchased from 2019’s New York Sheep and Wool Festival
• Aurifil Thread in the 2312 colour
• Two Snaps for the pockets
• 2 pieces of scrap denim to secure the snaps at the pocket
• interfacing

Final Thoughts

Overall I’m happy with how my shacket turned out. I would definitely recommend reading over the pattern before starting to sew. That would have saved myself from a few encounters with my seam ripper. Furthermore, I am so happy I finally got to use these special buttons from a fun trip as well. Now, I am patiently waiting for the weather to not be boiling in Montreal. So that I can enjoy shacket/sweater weather properly! (Not pictured in the next photo was me melting a little).

Notes

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