The Roadside Attraction Jacket

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keelyerin, member

57 users recommend

Textured stripes and shaping combine to create a nipped-in waist topped with a luxe velvet collar.

Jacket front - diagonal stripes to the midsection create a slimming illusion and vertical stripes on the side accentuate the jacket's shaping.

I am so happy that my patience cutting, piecing, basting, and sewing paid off with stripes that line up to a T. Or a V. You know what I mean!

Textured stripes and shaping combine to create a nipped-in waist topped with a luxe velvet collar.

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My mom used to work at a huge RV dealership, and when they would have leftover fabric from doing upholstery repairs on people's campers, she'd bring it home. Somewhere, there is an RV tooling around with this fabric on its banquette, and I love it. The Roadside Attraction Jacket is a little kitschy and a lot of fun.

I wanted to take advantage of the stripes and texture of the fabric (see the closeup picture - the colored stripe sections are almost like carpet pile), make a jacket that was flattering on all shapes, and be a little out there, but still fashionable and wearable.

The pattern I chose was Butterick 5252, and the curved shaping lended itself to changing up the stripes. I opted for a chevron to accentuate the curves of the wearer and create a slimming waistline optical illusion. I was very intentional with the diagonal lines to mimic the angle of the collar and the natural curves of a body.

The back is in four pieces, and the center two were cut and pieced very carefully so as to match the stripes perfectly. I chose to place the side stripes vertically because the curved waist shaping makes them turn in nicely and the straight lines help with the slimming! The pattern had an optional ruffled sleeve accent and two gathered pockets that I left off, because it would have been just too much with the stripe. I think the textures and patterns create enough visual interest on their own.

I found a wonderful dark blue velvet (are you singing?) for the front facing and collar to give the stripes a rest and accent the texture (and the retro kitsch factor). The back and sleeves are lined with traditional jacket lining.

This is the first jacket I've ever made, and I was so thrilled with how it turned out. It was also my first time working with velvet and with stripes.

All you need is this jacket, your favorite Airstream and a dashboard hula girl, and you're ready for an adventure!

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Comments (5)

thomy writes: This is beautiful and skillfully made. Good work.
Posted: 3:35 pm on October 26th

keelyerin writes: Thank you so much!
Posted: 5:28 pm on October 23rd

zeusns writes: Gorgeous!!!!!
Posted: 6:39 pm on October 22nd

sadiecakes writes: WOW Keely! This is so beautiful!. I can really see it being a favorite jacket. Great shape and very flattering. Love the chevron design. LOVE it!
Posted: 4:24 pm on October 22nd

EllACee writes: Love those princess seams. And the back! - what can I say about those perfect matching stripes except WOW!

Beautiful work.
Posted: 3:18 pm on October 19th

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