When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either*

Have you guys seen Papercut’s new Constellation collection yet?

Katie has just released 6 new patterns each with their own variations, and they are now sized from XXS to XL.

Because I am a super-kiwi-fan-girl I’d like to share my picks:

I have to include the Meissa blouse since it is so close to my name…except that actually it’s the star at the head of the Orion constellation…but if you just slip an ‘L’ in there…

I have plans for this blouse, they include the use of a sheer with solid collar/cuffs/yoke and some extra darts because that’s how I like my fit.

The Saiph tunic isn’t really me, but I still love it. I can see my sister wearing it and I want to see someone make variation 1 in two-tone, maybe white with a black skirt?

It’s hard to pick between the two jackets, they are both my favourites. I haven’t seen a bomber sewing pattern yet (or at least not one that has caught my attention) – I love the geometric detail at the sleeve head, you could have a lot of fun with that!

And last up is the Bellatrix blazer, classic with a twist, and guess what? I made one! Wanna see?

Yeah you do!

I was overloaded with ideas for this blazer but I decided to go with my initial gut feel and keep my first version classic and versatile. For the shell I used a piece from my stash that I bought way back in 2010 from the Empire Rose sale.

I labelled it as cotton but I suspect it’s actually more linen. It’s a really dark blue, almost black, but it gets better! It has a subtle pinstripe through it that is actually metal filaments so it has this awesome sparkle in the sunlight. It’s a nice twist on classic but I also think it’s the perfect fabric for a star themed blazer. This piece has been biding it’s time in my stash for a while – because the stripes are real metal it needed to be made into something lined, on a cut edge those little buggers are sharp!

For the lining I had this vision of an amazing galaxy fabric. There was no time for trawling on Spoonflower and I didn’t expect to find any at my local fabric shops but then the first store I walked into I found some within 5 minutes. I was so excited I actually skipped to the cutting counter and I didn’t care what anyone thought! If I make a jacket that is neutral in colour I can’t help but stick in a super bright lining. Instead this time I made my pocket bags from a colourful silk remnant so at least I had some colour hidden somewhere. .

In my little sewing world I like to experiment and if I am making it myself I tend to be more brave. My usual style would have seen me sew up variation 1 – I prefer my tops and jackets long - but I loved the angles more on var. 2 so I went with that. .

Even through this is a fully lined blazer, it stitched up quick! The shawl collar and single button helps but also the sleeves went in so easily.

This is my second Papercut garment (I have a finished La Sylphide that is awaiting photographs and a second in the works) so it’s no fluke.

I could gush at you all day about Katie’s amazing pattern drafting and construction. Recently I developed a bit of a sleeve phobia. Every sleeve I set in these days has so much excess sleeve head that I end up with a puffy sleeve no matter how it’s supposed to look or how I insert it. It usually take me 3 or 4 attempts until I am happy and I find it really frustrating. I can’t decide if it’s lazy drafting or if I should be insulted they expect we have such little skill we need all that excess fabric to play with.

Ok /end rant

Seriously though, I didn’t even need to baste these puppies in, perfect, first time, both sides, happy kiwi!

Aaaaand it’s an easy make. I think that even an advanced beginner could make this blazer. Hence the title of my post, sometimes you just have to give something a go, push yourself to learn. Katie’s instructions are so good, you won’t even realise that you’ve sewn those welt pockets until after you’re done! Honest. .

Easiest welt pockets ever!

So, what do you think of the new patterns? Thinking of buying one, two, all of them? They are on sale until November 15th so pop on over and have a look. .

THE DEETS:

Pattern - Papercut Patterns Bellatrix blazer (Constellation Collection), variation 2, size M (pattern testing)

Fabric –

• Shell: Cotton/Linen with metallic filament pin stripe – Empire Rose, Perth (bought April 2010, $7.00/m)
• Lining: Satin, Spotlight, Porirua

Other notions – 1 metal shank button, from stash

*Leo Burnett

Filed under: Sewing Projects Tagged: Bellatrix Blazer, Constellation, Papercut Patterns, Pattern Testing