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Book Review: Sew Serendipity

I wasn’t intentionally meaning to blog another book review so soon, but I was working on a project that happened to be out of a book, so I figured…what the heck. 🙂 This is ‘Sew Serendipity’ by Kay Whitt of Serendipity Studio. This book is a couple of years old, and I can’t believe that I didn’t already have it in my sewing library; I love Kay’s patterns, and if you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I’ve made quite a bit of clothing from her sewing patterns.

I’m traveling to Seattle in a couple of weeks for a photoshoot for my (!!!) bag book, and I thought that I would sew the ‘Classic Tailored Jacket’ (see photo below) to wear over some of my dresses (which are quite loud). I chose a more neutral fabric than I am used to using, so that it would not clash with the fabric in my bags. I used a gray and white print from Michael Miller Fabrics from the ‘Bekko’ line. This is a cotton sateen (decor-weight) line of decent-sized graphic prints.

This is the first time I’ve ever made a jacket, and I was a little wary about halfway through construction. Usually when I make a dress, I am familiar with checking the fit many times during sewing, and I know which areas I usually need to pay attention to, how to adjust the darts, and how to take it in a little bit on the sides if I need to. I will be the first to admit that I don’t make a muslin (although I should, and I would probably recommend that to anyone making clothing, but I am just frankly too lazy for that). The thing about the jacket is that there is no zippered closure, and the front of the jacket obviously overlaps since it has a front button closure, so that was where I was unsure. But I trust Kay’s pattern-writing, and once I was sure the darts were to my liking, I just followed the pattern exactly and put my trust in it.

I finally finished the jacket last night (before the weekend I was almost done, except for the sleeve cuffs and the buttons on it), and I am super-ecstatic! I think it came out even better than I imagined! Of course there are little things here or there that are not perfect, but I am not a perfect sewist. I am happy that I gave it a try and super happy with how it turned out!

The details I like the best about this jacket are the wide collar, the detailed topstitching about 2″ around the outer edge of the jacket, and I also like that it has a facing instead of a lining. I think the facing actually looks really beautiful on the inner edge of the coat! With the fabric I chose, it’s definitely not a ‘warm’ jacket, but then, sometimes clothing is more for looks than for warmth. I’m okay with that, and the jacket has just the right amount of extra room so that I can wear a sweater underneath and it wouldn’t be too bulky.

 

So, let me talk about the book in case you’re curious about the rest of it! The back of the book contains tissue pattern pieces for 3 separate items of clothing (a skirt, a top or tunic, and a jacket), but I think that it’s pretty deceiving that you’re only getting 3 patterns, because you’re really getting a lot more than that. Each garment type actually has 6 separate patterns in the book (so really 18 patterns in total). The beauty of it are that each are completely different. I mean, if you look at the photo of the two jackets below (the blue jacket and the yellow jacket), I think you would agree that these are completely different jackets. However, they are taken from the same pattern pieces, and the bulk of the assembly is the same. The change is in the details! The front tabs, perhaps some ruffled fabric, they are all different and all just as great!

All of the instructions are accompanied by a hand-drawn illustration for just about every step, so they are all easy to navigate through. Normally before I start a pattern, I read through it a few times to make sure I understand all the steps and can imagine the construction in my head. When I read through these instructions, I just thought ‘wow, this is going to be fun’. Of course, the sewing takes time, and I did rip a couple of seams, but the pattern was not mentally taxing, and I think that is a credit to Kay Whitt and how she writes patterns. She is just extremely talented at what she does. I’m trying to write a balanced review, but I don’t think there’s anything bad I can say about this book!
So, that’s my review! If you are new or not new to sewing clothing, I think this is a great book to have in your sewing library. I would definitely make the jacket from the book again, and it would be great in a thicker fabric like wool or boucle. If you don’t already have this book, you can actually get a signed copy here!

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25 thoughts on “Book Review: Sew Serendipity

  1. Laura says:

    You’re so pretty! I want your hair!!!!!

  2. Kay Whitt says:

    Thanks for the wonderful review, Sara! I shared your link on my Facebook page. You did a fabulous job on your jacket, girl!

  3. Emily Malsam says:

    It looks great!!!! I was actually oogling over the jacket in the Aeroplane Bags photos =) Awesome job!

  4. Really stunning, looks like the book and better with the print you chose!

  5. Wendy says:

    Your jacket looks fabulous! I recently went on a dressmaking workshop where we made a skirt. I discovered that patterns are not made for someone as large as me (I’m a little overweight, but not even obese and well within the average for British women!) and it’s put me off commercial patterns which is a shame as this book looks great.

  6. Lori says:

    Sara you jackt looks wonderful. And the fabric is great. It will go casual and dress up. You look great in it.

  7. Katy Cameron says:

    Beautiful jacket and model, I’m rather glad I can just send the bags to photoshoots though ;o)

  8. Mar García says:

    Hey Sara, your jacket is wonderful, you did a great job!. That book looks amazing, thanks for the review.

  9. Kelly says:

    Wow Sara – it turned out so beautiful xxx

  10. Beth says:

    Your jacket is just awesome! Love the fabric. Looks great on you. Fits great. I would be excited about it too.

  11. Elsa says:

    Love your new jacket (so impressed that you made it) and it will be perfect for Seattle ~ how exciting that you get to do a photo shoot!

  12. Marcia R says:

    Gorgeous! That book has lots of cute looks. Your photo shoot will turn out great! Good luck!

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  15. your jacket came out so cute Sara! love the fabric you chose 🙂

  16. emedoodle says:

    That jacket is just beyond awesome! Maybe Chicago will warm up soon and you’ll be able to wear it! 🙂

  17. Thanks for the review of the jacket pattern. I have actually made and blogged about the skirt (made twice) and the tunic! I love this book! I was considering the jacket, now I will look for fabric to make it!

  18. Cleo Rogers says:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  19. Cleo Rogers says:

    I just need about a million dollars to order all the custom material that I would like for this pattern! I haven’t sewn any of these yet, so I am unable to speak of quality pattern writing yet.

    Cleo Rogers (http://www.valorjanitorial.com)

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