Made by a Fabricista: My Olive Green Tamarack

Hello everyone! I hope you all are having a great week!

I am here to share my latest make, a Tamarack Jacket from Grainline Studio.

This pattern has been out for a while. I am so late to the party, but better late than never, right? I am super happy how my Tamarack turned out!

Are you ready? Let's go!

Fabric

Making an olive color jacket was one of the items on my wish list for a while. Unfortunately the quilted jacketing I used has sold out. When I saw this plaid flannel, I thought it would be pretty if I placed the red on the cuffs. I wanted the red to peek out when I fold over the cuffs.

Pattern Alterations

I used size 6, shortened 2" for the bodice, and shortened 1" from the sleeve. If I make it again, I would add 1" back to the sleeve. (I am 5'1") 

That way, I can fold over cuffs, but I don't lose the length of the sleeves.

Also, I would probably go with one size bigger to wear with more layers of clothes underneath.

When I made the sample jacket, I didn't like that the pocket placement. 

I felt that my hands were in awkward positions. I wasn't comfortable putting my hands in. It was probably caused by shortening an inch of the jacket raised the placement of the pockets.

I wanted my hands to be able to slide in from the side instead of from top to bottom for this jacket.

Also, I wanted the pocket lining not to be inside the jacket for this project because I wanted to showcase the plaid. 

So, I did some research for pocket options. There are so many Tamarac jackets made by creative makers all over the internet. I could spend hours looking at them!! LOL

I was almost going to go with patch pockets after I saw Helen's (Helen's closet) Tamarack.

Then I saw someone used the pocket of Jasse from Seamwork! I said, "Yeees!! This is the ones that I need! "I really liked the kangaroo style for my jacket. 

Issues That I Ran Into

I was able to fix them, but I had two minor issues that I want to share.

Issue #1

As you can see in the picture, I used some horizontal lines on the plaid for quilting. Since the flannel was lightweight and shifty, I was a bit skeptical about how the stripes match when I sew seams together.

Lucky, all the seams matched beautifully except the left front. The side seam of the left front matched with the back, but the right and left front did not match. It was crucial to be fixed because it's the front!  I was grateful that I had extra fabric to make the piece again.

I used safety pins and adhesive spray for the fabric to make quilting pieces. Now that I look back on it, I think it would have helped if I starched the flannel before cutting it. Note to myself, for a future project! LOL

Issue #2

When I was sewing bias tape around the neckline, I noticed that the bias tape seam was close to the right front corner. I thought there was enough distance not to affect making miter corner, but I was wrong! It was right on it! It was bulky and so ugly!  

So, I solved it by moving bias seams, removing a few inches of seams on the jacket, and then cut off the problem bias seams and sewing bias tape back together on bias. Don't we all love the light bulb going off in our heads and finding the solution?

If I had not made some quilts last year. I could not fit it the way I did. I would have had to undo the rest of the seams. I am so glad I knew how to close the binding. 

Well, this is my last post for Fabricsista. I am SO SO SO grateful for this opportunity. Thank you all so much for reading my blog. 

I discovered more makers and enjoyed reading their blogs.  

This year, I started something new. Between blogs as Fabricsista, I have been working hard since Spring. It is sewing-related. (of course!)

I probably need a bit more to share, but I can't wait to share it with my sewing friends!

till then,

Happy Sewing!

MEG  | @meggisews

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Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following category: JACKETING & FLANNEL.
You can also shop our selection of Grainline Studio patterns HERE.