I am in Victoria. The blazer and the state*.

Every sewer and their dog seems to be talking about the rad By Hand London patterns and ladies. Sorry, I’m about to do it again too!

Some hideously long time ago I was asked if I would like a copy of the Victoria blazer. You can imagine my response went something like, “yes, yes, love one, please, send immediately, now”. Sorry ladies, it did take me a while to bring her to life, but I am there now and that’s what matters, right? Right. The recent sewalong was a good way to keep motivated 🙂

I made variation 1 out of a green linen and a watermelon coloured silk cotton blend, both from Clegs.  I LOVE this watermelon colour. I would wear it 24/7 if I could.

The pattern doesn’t ask for the sleeves to be lined. I planned on doing it anyway, until I realised I didn’t have enough delicious silk cotton. Which meant that for once, I pretty much did what I was told and stuck to the instructions as written. (Edit: I lie. I didn’t want thus didn’t include the pockets. Oh yep, I changed the cuffs as well, applying the silk then folding back.) I did finish the sleeve seams hong kong style, which is ‘off-pattern’ but a nice touch I think. Here’s a bad indoor pick of the finish…

The cuffs don’t have the opening/join on the outer side of the sleeve, I didn’t read the instructions there (naughty) and just threw (sewed) them on. I don’t mind, I finished them off with a cute little button each that the lovely Hannah from Sinbad & Sailor sent me too.

I think I went awry in cutting her out somewhere, because the front pieces were about 5cms longer than the back pieces. Obvs the back pieces had to be cut to fit with the front, but I think I would have preferred the longer length.  You live and learn 🙂

The front pieces and their funky darts look quite odd, and l thought they were going to throw me, but by actually reading the instructions and sticking to them, there was no throwing at all – in fact those weird looking front pieces were a piece of cake!

One other little note, I made tiny hand tacks at the top and bottom of the each lapel to make them stay back. I also ran a line of stitching around the underside of the lapels and collar (green on top, watermelon bobbin) to help it sit back properly.

So there you go. Meet my dear Victoria, she may not come out to play properly until we get some sun. It’s flippin’ cold here at the moment.

Z xx

*I live in Melbourne, which is in the state of Victoria, in the country of Australia. FYUI.