When warm and comfy may also mean stylish

Bolero jacket - Onion pattern # 1027

Over the last two weeks, the weather has changed a lot in Paris (and in most of France, I believe). It's been cold and rainy. Since the Autumn/Winter wardrobe I've been creating has shown a lot of black so far, I wanted to balance it out with a light cardigan/jacket. (You may remember that I'm making a wardrobe in black and white with touches of blue). The weather made me want to sew something warm, something comforting - and comfortable; something however that I could wear to teach. (I insist on being well-dressed every time I'm in front of students - every time I go out, in fact. I see it as a form of respect to the people I am interacting with.)

This project has been extra special because:

1. My dear Mum gave me the fabric for Christmas last year
2. Sewing a wooly kind of fabric was a first for me, and now I want to do more! this is a great way to make up for my absolute ignorance at knitting.
3. In one of the rare technical sewing conversations I had with my Grandma, we talked about flounces vs. ruffles and both agreed that flounces are so much prettier, and classier. (for my French readership: flounces = volants en forme; ruffles = volants froncés). So, Mamie, this is for you... and I hope you like it.
   

Here's my review of the pattern - Onion 1027:

Pattern Description:
Bolero jackets with optional flounce at the sleeves and all around the edge. I did view C - I love flounces, so I went all the way! :)

Pattern Sizing:
34-46. I made a 36 so that I can wear a thickish top underneath.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. Perhaps a few schematic drawings may have helped, but provided you have a little experience, it's fine.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes: the cut; this is not just any kind of bolero. The pattern is well and carefully drafted; the darts at the back and front give a more tailored look. The sleeves are very well drafted. I LOVE the flounces, they are so feminine.

Dislikes: Onion patterns come without seam allowances; I much prefer patterns where seam allowances are included as they mean less tracing work. That is, of course, a matter of personal preference!

Fabric Used:
Angora-type wooly woven. Sorry for not being more specific. My Mum gave me the fabric last Christmas, and she couldn't remember what is was called in the store, so I have no other information about the fabric than what I can see.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I didn't really change anything.
I finished the flounces with a rolled hem on my serger and played around with the tension to emphasize the ruffle even more. (you can see this if you click on the second picture: I haven't resized it so you may see the detail of the hem.) You can achieve the same effect with a sewing machine, using a zigzag stitch with a small stitch length.
Instead of using ribbon to close the bolero, I used some antique lace thrifted in a brocante, matching the thread used for the rolled hem (the shade is wee lighter than the fabric.)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I don't think I'll sew it again, except if my sisters or my Mum ask for one. Now I've made that one, I have enough jackets/cardigans for the season.
I totally recommend it. The pattern is labelled "intermediate", but I don't think beginners (with perhaps just a few projects under their belt) would have a hard time with it, despite the absence of explanatory drawings.

Conclusion
This is the first time I've used an Onion pattern, but it definitely won't be the last! This is trendy, well cut, the explanations are to the point (the explanations in the pattern are in Danish but they email you the English instructions in a PDF file). I got the 2017 top as well and can't wait to sew it up!
I also wanted to praise Onion's customer service: I ordered the two patterns on Wednesday, received them on Saturday - sewed the bolero on Sunday!
It's good to know there's such a nice pattern company that is not far from France! (apart from Burda, of course!) I only wish I'd tried them out sooner.

I'd never sewn wooly fabric before and was a bit wary of it. This is why that beautiful fabric had been sleeping in my stash - it's beautiful AND it's a gift from my dear Mum, so I didn't want to mess it up. I'm so glad that pattern finally inspired to do something with it. Now the jacket is done, it seems the fabric was meant to be turned into exactly that! Know what I mean?
This is so warm, so soft, so comfy – while being cute and chic at the same time! :)

Another plus: the fluffy creaminess matches my cat perfectly, and I don't need to worry about cat hair showing on this!

(Vogue 8300 still needs reviewing... I've been wearing it a lot already! Because the back is narrow, it looks much better on me than on the dressform. I therefore need the good services of my favourite photographer before giving you the review!)

Hope this finds you enjoying your week! :)