The Beach Blazer

I'm totally the last sewist to get on board the By Hand London train, and I have no idea why I waited so long!

I wasn't sure about the Victoria Blazer until I started seeing all the gorgeous versions popping up on my blogroll.  Rachel, Roisin, Clare, Lizzy and Rehanon's in particular.

And then  Rachel posted a pic of this jacket:



Source:  ASOS


Isn't it gorgeous?  And a dead ringer for Victoria.

I dragged the lovely Alison all around Goldhawk Road looking for the perfect nautical print cotton.  But it was not to be - none to be found anywhere (and if you've been there, I know it sounds impossible for there to be a type of fabric they don't sell, but it's true!).  However, I didn't want to give up completely on my nautical dream, so I nabbed a lovely navy batik cotton with some red cotton for lining.

You can just about see the lining here - the other shot made me look like a flasher!

It's a great pattern that went together so smoothly and quickly -I think this took about 3 evenings to put together including handstitching the hem. The trickiest bit is probably the famous neck dart but just follow the clear instructions and all will be well! The recent sewalong had more pictures of the process if you are unsure.

I didn't need to make a muslin as i had the benefit of trying on Clare of Sew Dixie Lou's fab version so i knew a straight UK size 12 would fit. I decided to lengthen the sleeves slightly as they hit right on the elbow and so were a bit tight when I bent my arm. I added about 2" and also sewed with a smaller seam allowance for a bit more ease.

I called it the Beach Victoria partly because of the location for the pictures (Lyme Regis on the border of Dorset and Devon if you are imterested), but also because the batik pattern makes me think of shells.

Pop that collar!

I've worn it loads already and i love how it makes jeans and a tee look smart and a pencil skirt such cooler.

Now I've seen Nicole's amazing tuxedo version I may have to make another (how cool is this woman?)!

And not forgetting a back shot for Nessa:

Please excuse the hair - it was seriously windy!

 And finally a moody staring-into-the-middle-distance shot:

The British seaside with sun?  What are the chances?