Je me suis donc rabattue sur la chemise, et mĂȘme si les plis plus sont sympa, j’ai fait classique.
Pour la taille, je suis entre 12 et 14, et un brin au dessus du bonnet B, j’ai donc fait un 12 bonnet C (oui Casey a inclut bonnets B, C et D directement dans le patron !! Avec toutes les informations pour choisir exactement sa taille.)
It’s been a few months now that I wanted to test a pattern.
To test is to work with a pattern designer before it’s released. You have make it following all the steps as written, to give feedback to the designer, to redo , discuss with other testers …
I know that there are several « techniques » of tests, several ways to proceed. In general as the a thank you we receive the pattern for free and often the pattern designer share the creations of their « testers », it is a good way to launch the pattern on different body shapes, with different fabrics, and it’s also probably a way for testers to get published in addition.
I sometimes applied for patterns that I liked moderately but of which I really liked the designes, and sometimes for a pattern who was a favorite. But until December, I had never been taken, and in fact, so much the better !!
I have been following Casey on Instagram for a few months now, and I love her way of sharing the process of her creations, her attempts to transform a coat pattern in a down jacket! The different jeans patterns she tried, and finally her patterns!
She started talking about the shirt pattern, and I love the shirts. So I tried the adventure of testing. I admit that a lost email almost made me miss the adventure but Casey was adorable and I joined the group on Slack, a project platform. We shared and feedback on the cutting / assembling of the pattern, the details on the pattern pieces, the muslin, the acuity of the assembly points of the different parts, the feasibility of the instructions and finally the « fit », how this pattern was on us.
By the way Gillian made an article on testing patterns after a test poll on this subject on instagram, it’s quite interesting.
So my negative point? The pressure the timing gave me. Despite everything, we had more than two weeks and the allow time was good, but I put myself under pressure like crazy and on this period before the holidays, I was already at the max, from this personal point of view it was not very enjoyable.
There were beginners, advanced sewers and pros and everyone was able to give their point of view. Casey was aware and managed very well the concerns encountered to propose a final really well made pattern !
Also, this is why I am not in the article of the testers because my final make arrived too late; -) But here it is !!
The pattern
So first, the pattern : it is a button up shirt with bust darts with possibility of dress, you’ll find all the codes of the shirt, buttonhole, collar with collar stand, button placket at the wrist and pleat at the back.
Casey propose as the B view a pleated model. There is probably a particular name for this fashion detail but I don’t know it. Do not hesitate if you have the information!
Casey is fully committed on this project and has produced a large number of prototypes, she started to offer a sew along in pictures on her blog and already has lots of hack ideas. She has already made the option with a back yoke, one of the code of the shirt!
Initially I had the idea of ââmaking a forest green velvet dress. (and one of the testers did it very well!) I made the muslin in a slightly rigid fabric and there I was disillusioned. Like midi skirts, this style is absolutely not for me…
So I choose the shirt lenght, and even if the B view is really nice, I made a classic one.
For the size, I’m between 12 and 14, and a bit above the B cup, so I made a 12 cup C (yes Casey has included B, C and D cups directly in the pattern !! With all the information for you to choose your size.)
I was a little tight on the muslin but as I used a double gauze, I stayed on this size, especially since Casey added ease at the bust exactly where it was needed.
My make
My rmake was made with the final pattern.
For the fabric, it is a 3 meters piece of Les Coupons de Saint Pierre coupon of a sad gray color. It stayed a while waiting for me to sew him but the color was so sad! So one day I dyed it on a whim by mixing two colors, in « I have nothing to lose » mode !! And I love it !
I am delighted by my achievement. The shoulders and the darts fall perfectly, the collar construction is really well. And I was not disappointed by the double gauze which did not double in volume đ Everything is very well explained in the booklet, perfect for someone who has never tried shirts. Everything falls perfectly. I just specify that it is in English!
I added a detail to the collar, an ethnic brown / beige cotton for a little extra.
In my wardrobe
I made pictures with several layers of my wardrobe for different styles (without being revolutionary) and show you how it goes well with my current wardrobe!
Pour note, sur les photos oĂč je porte un jean c’est mon Ginger jeans, et sur celles oĂč je porte ma chemise c’est ma chemise Archer (article chemises Ă venir ;-))
I don’t remember in which order I did it, but I remember very well Helen’s Closet’s story of Helen and her jacket, which was exactly what I had in mind. Then, looking for info on patterns I found three versions that were inspired by each other and were exactly what I wanted: A jacket that covers the butt, large pockets, a marked size, a large hood and especially a huge collar (I love the big collar and it is perfect with all my scarves!)! : they were made by Noble Charlie & Daughter, Kelly of Cutcutsew, and Lisa of Notes of a housewife.
But that meant a lot of work : a coat and a lot of changes to the pattern !!
Fabrics :
So for the fabric, I chose a  waterproof fabric I found at Sami Tiss (a destocker in Angers). I originally bought  10 m of fabric to make cushions for the kids’ treehouse . There is now a little less left ! The color is greener than green-grey. And for the lining I find this piece of « Chinese » orange butterfly pattern fabric found on the market St Pierre in Paris when I still lived there. I am delighted every time I put my coat
Cutting and sewing:
For this project I made a muslin to check the shape and the length (I added 5 cm). No special modifications. I made a size 14 based on my chest measurement. I was was considering maybe removing the gathers at the collar, but in fact I didn’t do it and that’s perfect!
Concerning the modifications:
– I made the hood in three parts, I found it prettier.
– I also doubled it. I got inspired by the pockets of the Kelly Anorack which had just come out when I was making my jacket.
– I replaced the elastic waist with a cord.
– I used as Kelly, the wrists from the Archer shirt pattern and I added a flap on the closure that I closed with spring snaps.
– I had a lot of fun sewing this piece even though it took me lots of time.
I started the hood in 2017 before leaving it behind for many  long months. The arrival of spring last year motivated me to go back to it. And a trip to Copenhagen pushed me to finish it.
And I did well, I wore it the whole time. With a light sweater underneath in windbreaker mode or a big vest to keep warm it is perfect !!
For the construction, I followed the descriptions sold with the pattern and the sew along, it is always a great help to mix the explanations drawn and those in photos.
But note that the « Chinese » fabric is very complicated to sew. It frays a lot. So I heat sealed all the seams allowances with a very light non-woven interfacing . It did not stop one side of the collar from getting loose, but I (was able to get it back in).
For the wrists, I had not made a shirt yet so I did not bring all my attention to this project as it should have been, hence this small error that makes my jacket even more original .
Who will find the error that is hiding on this image ?
And I had almost finished my jacket when I realized that I had my waist wrong and that the height at which I put my cord did not put me at all in balance. I left it hanging around for a while and thought that if I really wanted to be proud of my jacket and wear it, I had to change it.
What I ended up doing was to use the small squares of leather to hide the first grommets holes … There is no need to say, the sewing always pushes me to be more patient and undo to redo!
This garment in my wardrobe:
So yes, this project took a very long time! But fortunately for me, when I have an idea in mind it stays well stuck and I do not get tired!
Yes, I think it’s one of the projects I’m most proud of! And let’s be honest, it makes you think we did even his parka
Here I brought it to Copenhagen in May 2018, it was perfect! And since then, I wear  it very often! Adopted and validated !
Notes :
in the photos where I wear jeans are my Ginger jeans, and on those where I wear my shirt is my button-up shirt Archer (article « button-up » to come ;-)) The spring snaps and grommets come from Rascol, installed with a hammer. The rope and the stop cords are salvage from old jacket. The zipper comes from Tissus Mine in Angers.