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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Gettin' Tweedy: DIY Chanel-Inspired Jacket

Ah, the classic Chanel jacket.  I've admired them from afar for a long time but it wasn't until I saw Jean wear her Uniqueen version (as well as Wendy and Tiffany) that I felt inspired to try to sew one.

Jacket:  DIY Chanel-Inspired
Shirt:  LOFT, Peach (old)
Jeans:  Gap Always Skinny (old)
Shoes:  Ann Taylor Suede Pumps, Granite
Bag:  Balenciaga Twiggy, Anthracite

It was a good thing I was very inspired because the construction of this jacket drove me absolutely batty.  The shell came together easily (kind of - the pattern sleeve opening did not match the sleeve width) and I thought I'd have this post ready last Sunday.  Then came the trim.  I had been debating whether I wanted to do regular contrast trim or a fringed trim.  I decided to do contrasting fringe trim and this complicated things since I couldn't make this from a bias strip.  Instead, I used the selvage so it lays a little funny at the collar.  This is far from a perfect jacket but it's good enough (and finished) for now.  I'll have to do some more seam ripping this weekend :)
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51 comments:

  1. ClosetConundrumFebruary 1, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    Great job on the jacket. Question for you - looking to buy a new sewing machine so I can learn to alter my clothing and potentially make clothes from patterns - any recommendations??

    Thanks in advance - thinking about the Brother PC420 Project Runway model.

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:50 PM

      My first machine was a Brother (one of the $100 types from Walmart to get me started) and I didn't really like it. It was hard to work with thicker fabrics like denim and tweeds. Sometimes the stitching was off. Probably not fair, but it soured me against the brand. This past summer I purchased a Singer Heavy Duty 4423 and it is so much smoother in comparison. I purchased it from Amazon for $130 shipped - a great deal for a quality machine. Hope this helps!

      Delete
  2. KatherineFebruary 1, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    Wow you did a fabulous job on this jacket - cannot believe you did it yourself! Well done and it fits you perfectly!

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  3. UnknownFebruary 1, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    OMG!! You are so talented!!

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  4. JustPatienceFebruary 1, 2012 at 4:10 PM

    Love the end results. Those jeans also look so fab on you.

    www.justpatience.com

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 8, 2012 at 9:22 PM

      Thank you! I wanted to try the cuffed jean look to make this look casual :)

      Delete
  5. VickyFebruary 1, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    Your posts are always so inspiring. Another great DIY project. Love the end result.

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  6. aki!February 1, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    You know... I thought I was one of those girls who could care less about name brands. Except for Chanel. Chanel breaks all the rules for me!

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  7. UnknownFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:10 PM

    You continue to amaze me. I don't think you give yourself enough credit (ever)! I think the jacket is beautiful ad

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 8, 2012 at 9:26 PM

      Aw Annie, thanks so much! I have to slim the sleeves and comb out the fringe to give it more volume. I'm picky especially when it comes to something I make :)

      Delete
  8. UnknownFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    Oops- phone went crazy for a sec...

    I was saying that I love the edging and color you chose:)

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  9. OlyviaFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:33 PM

    that's so awesome that you can make your own chanel-inspired jacket! If only I could sew like you, I would make a bunch of these jackets in different colors, one for each day of the week, haha! I'm obsessed with the collarless tweed jacket styles!

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  10. CFebruary 1, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    Haha, I'm glad the jacket is challenging you during your maternity leave ;) To my eyes, it looks pretty good as is. Please do show us comparison pics of this and the "after" once you're all done. I'd love to see what a few tweaks would make.

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 2:58 AM

      Thank you! I'll definitely post an update. Though I'll warn you that my interest has already moved to a different piece (darn my attention span!). :)

      Delete
  11. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    SPG you have done it again! All your DIY's amaze me! You have so much talent! I wish I had some of that ;) Look forward to your next DIY :)

    katattack2000.wordpress.com

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 2:59 AM

      Aw, thanks so much! I wish I had your nail design talent. I can't even properly paint my right hand!

      Delete
  12. Selvaggia CapizziFebruary 2, 2012 at 1:06 AM

    Wowwwww you did a great job with that jacket! I love it, you look very stylish!

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  13. PingFebruary 2, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    cute!! you did a great job on that jacket! i also really like how you styled it and made it more casual pairing it with the jeans (and also rolling them up!).

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:00 AM

      Thanks Ping! I wanted to try something besides skinny jeans with boots (my go-to) so I'm glad the cuffing worked out :)

      Delete
  14. Style, She WroteFebruary 2, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    Gorgeous! You did an amazing job capturing Chanel's signature look! xo style, she wrote

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  15. AnnaFebruary 2, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    You've done a great job on this jacket! Pairing this with cuffed jeans makes this whole outfit look like a cross between Chanel and J. Crew (always a good combination, IMO :) You could always roll the sleeves of the blouse over the sleeves of the jacket for a more casual look.

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:01 AM

      Wow, that is high praise - thank you! Now if only I could look Chanel / J. Crew everyday...LOL

      Delete
  16. my mini bagFebruary 2, 2012 at 7:21 PM

    Great jacket. You always do an amazing job with your outfits.

    I am excited to let you know that I have awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award. You can check out the award on my blog-
    http://myminibag.blogspot.com/2012/02/versatile-blogger-award.html

    Thanks for sharing such a great blog and all of your amazing DIY projects.

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:03 AM

      Thank you for your kind words and for the Versatile Blogger Award! I'm so honored and touched :)

      Delete
  17. With Each Passing DayFebruary 2, 2012 at 8:54 PM

    Yay so excite to finally see the jacket. You did an awesome job.

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:03 AM

      Thanks Ying! I hope it will look better after a few tweaks :)

      Delete
  18. Fashionable MemoriesFebruary 3, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    Love the look! You did such an amazing job! So talented :)

    http://fashionablememoies.com

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  19. UnknownFebruary 3, 2012 at 8:18 AM

    hey! how are you? do not say that this is far from perfect... because in my eyes, it's AMAZING and can't be more perfect! you did a fabulous job making this. i love chanel tweeds, and probably will not spend the money to get a real one... so this is such a great alternative! it looks amazing with your skinny jeans. of course, i am in love with your twiggy. i first got mine close to 10 years ago.... and the sad thing about balenciagas are it's not that durable! i think it's getting more durable now than it was back then. i ended up selling it because it was so raggedy... lol!

    thanks for asking about the move. haven't moved yet... we probably will in mid-march. we are in the process of painting the interior (i hope i picked the right colors for the rooms) and we are in the process of finishing the basement for more room. btw, you totally understand! when my hubs say there's more of me to love, people tend to think it's a sweet comment... but it's not! it's actually a hint-hint... that i am gaining weight, lol! i do love to eat also... that's why i can't starve and diet. i try to offset the eating by working out more. but boy, thank goodness for winter... i can slack off and hide it under the clothes. :)

    enjoy your weekend, girl!

    xoxo
    jasmine

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:09 AM

      Hi Jasmine! You are ever so sweet! If we ever hit the lottery, I'd buy the real thing but we all know how likely that will happen LOL. My sizing has shifted so much over the years that I don't think I could ever really "invest" in a piece of clothing.

      I agree with you on Bals although I think the Agneau is supposed to be much more durable than the Chevre. At least by judging on leather thickness. I briefly had a Chevre City and it was paper thin but the smushiness and smell of the leather was delightful. Then I had an Agneau Part Time that was incredibly thick. This Twiggy is Agneau but feels like a cross between the City and Part Time I had before. Semi-thick, amazing smell, and very soft.

      I can't diet either - I just enjoy eating too much. If I ever actually commit to doing something healthy, it will have to be exercise!

      Delete
  20. lisacngFebruary 3, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    You are a wiz with the sewing machine!

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  21. AnnaFebruary 3, 2012 at 5:07 PM

    I was looking over my BR cardigan and then over yours and I've concluded that we're sartorial twins for the day. This is a lovely lovely jacket you've made yourself. I wish I was as capable!

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:11 AM

      Hello sartorial twin! I love your BR cardigan - such a great find!

      Delete
  22. CarrieFebruary 4, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    wow, you're really good! tweed blazers are good because they actually keep you warm.

    :)
    Carrie
    http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:11 AM

      Thanks Carrie! It is pleasantly warm - a bonus :)

      Delete
  23. Karen (littlepiecefnb)February 5, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    Wow from those pics it looks like you did an amazing job! Love the color!

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 9, 2012 at 3:12 AM

      Thanks Karen! I've had this fabric for over a year so I was just glad to finally be able to use it :)

      Delete
  24. AnneFebruary 8, 2012 at 11:49 AM

    This jacket is absolutely adorable! It looks like fits you perfectly and I love the contrasting fringe trim you chose. I've been doing some research for a Chanel jacket DIY project myself, and was curious- which pattern did you use? I was thinking of using Vogue 7975, though I know it doesn't have the traditional three-piece sleeve.

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 8, 2012 at 9:20 PM

      Thank you so much! I used McCall M6041 which has a 2-piece sleeve. The pattern pretty much did the trick except the sleeve needs slimming.

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  25. LePetiteLemonFebruary 10, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    Wow! It's so perdy!!! :) Great job! It totally looks store-bought and fits you so well! I hope I can one day sew as well as you! (Maybe when I'm a little old lady or something.....I'm kinda slow with these things!) =P

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 13, 2012 at 8:16 PM

      You are so sweet - thank you! Today I slimmed the sleeves a little and tomorrow I'll straighten out the lining at the hem. Lots of little things that need to be fixed but thankfully aren't too noticeable when worn.

      Delete
  26. mauishopgirlFebruary 13, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    Love this, you are talented! I love the look of a shrunken jacket over a longer blouse, so flattering and much more modern.

    So glad to find this site (hopped over from CaptureNg), am petite too but definitely sewing challenged, can live vicariously through you.

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    1. SewPetiteGalFebruary 13, 2012 at 8:17 PM

      Thank you for popping over and leaving such a kind comment! I'm still working on my "craft" but I sure do appreciate words of encouragement :)

      Delete

I'm the type of gal who gets giddy when I receive mail - it's no different with comments! I really appreciate the feedback and love hearing from you :)