Chanel-ish Cardigan Preparations

Fall/Winter 1960 Simplicity Pattern Book

I've decided that the high-priority item on my fall sewing (and Colette Palette Challenge) list is finally going to be a Chanel-ish cardigan jacket.  I drafted a boxy knit cardigan pattern in school a few years ago, made it up in navy wool boucle and loved it until I foolishly washed it too warm.  Now it's a little too schoolboy-ish for me, and I want a replacement.

The Vogue pattern on the left, the McCall's pattern on the right.

I'm taking it easy, patternmakingly-speaking, and am going to work from a pattern.  (actually, is that going to make more work when fitting?  Probably.).  I missed out on the holy grail Claire Shaeffer Vogue pattern, unfortunately, so I'm torn between the Vogue replacement, view D (but shortened to A-length), and McCall's entry, modified to have buttons at CF instead of a zipper.  I'm leaning more toward the Vogue, as it has the same princess seams Shaeffer's pattern had.

My fabric is a raw silk blend I got from Leanne Marshall (of Project Runway fame)'s studio clean-out, last summer.  It's not boucle, and hardly appropriate for the coming winter, but I want to take it easy, so this'll be a wearable muslin, of sorts.

I'm planning to make my trim from self fabric, using techniques from 200 Braids, etc., inspired by braided trim in Signe Chanel.

Colette Patterns' Spring 2011 Palette Challenge

I'm putting myself forward to participate in Colette Patterns' Spring 2011 Palette Challenge, wherein I'll make a number (4, 5?) of garments in the coming months fitting into the above palette of colors, and drawing from the above inspiration images. It's basically a condensed version of the designs I've already been considering, but working alongside the other participants will hopefully keep me on track.  I'm looking forward to the challenge!

Images are from Fendi PF at style.com, 3.1 Phillip Lim at style.com, A Glamorous Little Side Project and Casino Royale Screenshots among others.