Friday 4 January 2013

Just Chanel





Karl Lagerfeld made a book called the Little Black Jacket: Here's my version.






No celebs, no fashion people, no make-up artists or stylists, no champagne, no fanfare or publicity, in fact, not even a little black jacket - a navy one instead.

Chanel with party frock













































And what's this? A matching dress?


If you're really that interested, you can click here to see all relevant postings on this jacket. If you have 108 hours to spend usually either hand sewing or steam pressing and you too can have the same jacket. Vogue 8804 Claire Shaeffer Custom Couture Collection.





Item number 1 for 2013 SWAP completed!

62 comments:

  1. Ok, just when did you knock off a matching fab dress? 'You look amazing and your styling is great- you may replace the Swinton for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Note the strategic hand placement - I'm holding it on! No where near finished yet, so don't panic. Tilda and I were separated at birth.

      Delete
  2. What a great looking jacket! I love the combination with jeans and with the matching dress. Super sophisticated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeans is my favourite too Annika. Thanks

      Delete
  3. Wow, Ruth - Your jacket is spot on! Just yesterday I was thinking about making one of these before talking myself out of it. Why????? Because I wasn't sure how much I would wear it, but you've just shown me the versatility of these little jackets.
    Congratulations on finishing such a beautiful garment!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If anyone would suit one of these it's you Sarah - go for it! No housework, cleaning, cooking, washing or ironing for at least a month - all that work has it's payoff.

      Delete
  4. Dear Ruth,
    wonderful!!!
    Mema

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there Ruth,
    Your jacket has turned out beautifully.
    Love the matching dress, is it your own pattern or a purchased one. Its so stylish and works perfectly with your jacket. Inspiration from you and other forums and bloggers keeps me going on mine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary the dress is Vintage Vogue 1137. Keep going it's all worth it in the end

      Delete
    2. Hi there Ruth,

      Thank you so much for your generosity of spirit, in sharing the details of the dress you have put with the jacket.
      Perfect match.

      I have had to break off from my jacket, to urgently sort out a bought tutu skirt for a black swan costume> So, on a steep learning curve on tutu's!!

      Want to get back to finishing the jacket.
      Your blog is fantastic by the way, thank you for sharing your talent.

      Delete
  6. Fabulous!
    Love the casual and with skirts styling. Interesting that you kept a track of hours. Labour of love and very much worth it.

    Enjoy wearing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The hours are really an estimate - 3 or 4 hours work a day for a month. Remember I've been off proper work for a few weeks so I needed something 'gentle' to pass the time. thanks Marianna.

      Delete
  7. It is gorgeous! I like the cropped sleeves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love them too Su. I'm going to need more bangles

      Delete
  8. I've been waiting to see the finished jacket...and it is worth the wait! Beautiful! and you certainly show the versatility of the Chanel jacket. I have this jacket project on my to-do list this year. I picked up a lovely wool for the jacket, now need the silk lining.
    I'm actually looking forward to the many hours of meditative hand stitching that in involved!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's very contemplative. And Patty - just do it!

      Delete
  9. Oh Wow its beautiful and I am sure the delight you will have in wear this in so many different ways will be worth the hours spent sewing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm speechless.

      Janice.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Pauline and Janice. Always appreciate your input.

      Delete
  10. You look fantastic! It works with everything. You did an awesome job on this project. And a dress! Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quite surprising that it goes with so many things and looks. Some of my old clothes now have a new lease of life

      Delete
  11. Well done! A superb start on the SWAP!

    ReplyDelete
  12. As always, it looks fabulous on you. Once again you have proven that if you're into it, you can make lovely clothing in your own colors that fit your own body. You're an inspiration! I was thinking the Chanel wouldn't work for my more casual lifestyle, but your fashion show proves it would. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Lynda you have to have a go. It is the type of sewing that you can put down and leave, then come back to it another day. There are so many different things to be done that you can start lots of little projects - that's how I tackled it - little steps.

      Delete
  13. I was looking forward to seeing the jacket! It's a little bit shame that some photos are not very clear but your jacket is exquisite! Great job, Ruth!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jun, the fabric is quite dark and didn't photograph so well indoors or with my basic camera. I had to lighten the photos quite a bit just to get some detail. I'll try for outdoor ones for the dress when it's ready. Praise indeed from you.

      Delete
  14. Oh my does that look wonderful! I have never even considered making something like this, figuring that a Chanel jacket would be far too formal for my lifestyle, but your pictures really make it clear how very versatile it can be... Congratualations on a fantastic piece

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alison, thank you. Every girl needs a Chanel

      Delete
  15. A great investment of time as you will wear and wear this. Beautiful jacket!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now I know why the real thing is so expensive. Addictive? Yes, I want another one

      Delete
  16. Gorgeous and love a Chanel inspired jacket.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sharon. A design classic that hard to beat.

      Delete
  17. A glass of champagne is definitely needed to celebrate this beautiful jacket, and matching dress, in style! Just stunning...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Ruth, a beautiful jacket and I would like one, but I'd prefer that you make it for me because making jackets makes me crazy. OK? Thanks. Oh, you can make me the dress too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth you know I would do it gladly but I have this SWAP thing to do and finish the dress and make two pairs of trousers and co-ordinating tops and a rain coat and and and.......

      Delete
  19. And just in case you'd like to bask in more glory - and why not, it's winter - I've nominated you for the Primo Primavera Award: it's to thank you for all the encouragement you've given me and my blog these past months! (http://www.sew2pro.com/lovely-blogs-abound/)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Channel is awesome, no matter how you wear it. And your has sparkles--how great is that!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a fabulous jacket! I absolutely love it. It really does go with everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And releases new life into old clothes too Laura. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  22. This is so beautiful. I think you've made a real heirloom piece!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kat but this isn't being handed over to anyone. I'm being buried in it!

      Delete
  23. This is soul food!
    Thank you for styling with variety! I just absolutely love this!

    I like the dress with the same fabric.

    Oh my. I'm really, seriously, speechless!

    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Brenda -I hope you sew 'cause I just know you need one of these jackets.

      Delete
  24. It is just stunning! The fact that it goes with so many pieces in your wardrobe is an added bonus. What a wonderful way to start your SWAP!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carolyn, except I've had to loose this from my SWAP as it's not a 'top' by the official rules. Nice way to start I agree, but it'll teach me to read the rules in detail!

      Delete
  25. Wow.Wow.Wow. What a beautiful jacket! and you really knocked it out of the park in terms of versatility. It truly looks spectacular in every setting. You've styled it so perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well thank you Robin. I regard that as praise indeed.

      Delete
  26. Happy New Year! I've nominated you for the One Lovely Blog/Very Versatile Blogger. The rules are in my last post...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. It really means a lot to me to know, that hopefully, I've inspired someone else to sew.

      Delete
  27. Replies
    1. With such a classic, how can we go wrong? Thank you

      Delete
  28. Ruth, you are reading my mind! I have been wanting to make a Chanel jacket for so long, but I am worried it will make me look old and fuddy-duddy. But I love all the ways you have styled yours. This post is now going to be my crib sheet. Now I just have to work up the courage to do all that hand stitching...

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow, your jacket looks amazing! I've had this pattern and a lovely piece of boucle for a while now, and it's time I got started. I just read through Claire's instructions in the pattern and I am totally DAUNTED. Yikes. It's good to see that somebody actually did finish it. :-)

    Keep up the good work and happy sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  30. You WEAR this jacket, and in so many ways! (As opposed to it wearing you, if you know what I mean.) Just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  31. You make me hard in that dress, just jacked off thinking of fucking you while youre wearing it

    ReplyDelete