Minoru Jacket

I recently bought the Minoru Jacket pattern from Sewbox in the UK. The pattern is designed by Sewaholic Patterns, and are specifically designed for pear-shaped ladies...now I am a lot of things, but pear-shaped, I am not. I measure a 14 for waist and bust, and an 8 for my hips, if that gives you any idea. Anyhow, I thought that the Minoru Jacket would be ok on me, but I did have reservations about the raglan sleeves and the gathers at the shoulders. I have quite broad straight shoulders with rounded tops to my arms. I took a chance anyway and got the pattern despite all of this.
I was determined to make it all out of my stash...it is bulging and I am not buying any fabric until I use some of what I have.



So I chose a piece of grey/rust/beige printed corduroy and because I didn't have enough, I pulled out some matching plain grey cord. I had a brown zipper that was close enough to the tones and colours of the outer cord. I also had some lightweight polka dot grey cotton to line it with, although I thought in the beginning that this polka dot grey was too green, but it seems less so now that it is part of the overall jacket.



I traced the pattern, cut it all out and sewed it up over two parts of days.It came together quickly, although I had some issues working out how the collar went together. The instructions for View A are very comprehensive, but not so for the simpler View B...I think it was mostly tiredness that made me confused. A quick look at the sew-along that is going on on Sewaholic's blog cleared up my confusion.
I put plenty of interfacing into the collar, which makes it stand nicely on it's own.
I cut and made cuffs, but because the sleeves were already long enough without them, I tried one, but took it off. I am happy without them.I just hemmed and topstitched the cuffs.


I wore it all day yesterday to swimming lessons, and tennis lessons with the kids. It was chilly and drizzly, I was quite cosy.



I am still a little unsure about the shape on me. I think the shoulders with the gathers might not be the best shape for me, but it is such a great weight, that it won't stop me from wearing it!