So excited for tonight….my husband and I are going to see Coldplay!!!  So of course I had to make something new to wear! Here’s my color-blocked crepe Koos Van Den Akker Jacket, Vogue V1493.

I bought the tickets ages ago for Vic’s Christmas present. The hotel we’re staying at is walking distance to the venue (Hard Rock-Miami Gardens) so we don’t have to worry about the hassle of parking. And my mom is watching the kiddos for our very first night away from them both.  It’s our first true date night.

I saw this viscose Italian print on Mood’s website and kept coming back to it.  It’s bolder than the prints I normally wear but it has all my favorite colors, a bright aqua, deep plum and gorgeous bronze.  I just love the color blocked pattern!  I thought a kimono style topper would be the perfect way to wear this. Simple and light and so easy to mix into my wardrobe. I already had the bronze silk pants (pictured) (RTW from Club Monaco) and they pair perfectly. The pants were actually two sizes too big but I loved the color and pocket stitching detail.  So easy to take in the elastic waist and make them fit perfectly.

All the Details:

Fabric: Italian Geometric Color Blocked Crepe  Mood (OOS)

A unique mix of watercolor and geometric pattern, make a statement in this Italian Color Blocked Crepe. The fluid nature of splashed watercolors and the sharp angles of honeycomb and chevron shapes juxtapose to create a balanced look. Light and airy, this soft Italian woven is ideal for the spring/summer season. Let its flowing drape create bold tent dresses, gathered blouses and loose-fit tunics.

V1493 Misses’ Tulip Banded-Sleeve Kimono Jacket, Something Delightful

DESIGNER:Koos van den Akker, Advanced

Very loose-fitting, unlined jacket has band, side-front seams and pockets, side slits, stitched hems, self-lined, overlapped sleeves, and continuous bias binding for trim and finishing seams. Purchased optional appliqué.

FABRICS: Linen, Crepe, Gabardine, Wool Flannel. Contrast: Shantung, Charmeuse, Taffeta.
Unsuitable for obvious diagonals.

NOTIONS: Optional: Lightweight Floral Fabric for Appliqué.

Size Combinations: Y[XSmall(4-6)-Small(8-10)-Medium(12-14)], ZZ[Large(16-18)-XLarge(20-22)-XXLarge(24-26)]

#2017MakeNine:

I bought this Koos Van Den Akker for Vogue pattern last year to make this winter but hadn’t found the right fabric. While this sheer fabric isn’t recommended (the pattern suggests sturdier Linen, Crepe, Gabardine and Wool Flannel) I figured I could alter and simplify it a bit to make it work.

For this make I simplified some of the construction and left off all the applique.  I cut a size small since it’s described as very loose-fitting and I’m glad I did.  The fit is perfect.  For the princess seams on the bodice I used a serged seam to keep it light and omitted the pockets since they were dragging.  I used bias to finish off the interior seams at the armhole and banded sleeve and used french seams on the side seams.  The neck is enclosed and I omitted the added bias strip on the collar.  All of these simplifications made for a relatively quick sew and a lovely lightweight kimono.  I had a tiny bit of remnant fabric that I used to make a tiny circular purse with a zipper closure.  Here’s my image from Instagram:

I’m really looking forward to making a winter version later in the season!  And I really want to try out the applique details and maybe add-on some frog closures-which I learned how to make from Irma this past weekend at my ASG meeting!

It feels like ages since I blogged last (the beginning of August!) but the heat and bright light has made it so difficult to get good pictures.  Getting everyone ready for the school year (we’re starting week two!) and back to work myself has kept me really busy.  I have tons of makes to share so keep an eye out for those in the coming weeks.  Right now I’m working on some pattern testing plus a little 70’s retro Tilly dress, doing some alterations for my husband and making some rain poncho’s for the kids. Finally getting back to my regular blogging schedule now that the kids are back in school!

Off to my concert! Hope you all had an amazing summer!  Happy sewing!