Fleece Jacket - Simplicity 2482

Here is the jacket that I finished this jacket last weekend, and just so that you know, I was going to take photos outdoors, but as it was -25c outside (-34c with the windchill.  Seriously, who cares about another 9c when it is this cold??!), I thought that I would just show you outdoors, and take the photos indoors!!

Brrrr!

Now, onto the jacket details!  I used Simplicity 2482, a simple dressing gown/jacket pattern.  I liked the high collar, zippered opening and big pockets.  I used some fleece that I bought in the sales on New Years' Day - about $7/m, and it used less than suggested on the envelope.

I wanted to share a quick photo of how I marked the location for the pockets on the jacket fronts - as the fleece is so thick, tailors tacks would be hard to add accurately, so I used thread to mark the corners:

It actually worked out really well, and the pockets went on very easily.

I know that the color of the fleece is a bit 'blah', but it will work really well as a neutral - look how great it is with these scarves I made.

The only changes I made to the pattern were to shorten the length by a couple of inches (I think that I must have bought a slightly shorter zip that I should have), and I used 'fold over' Lycra edging for the cuffs and bottom of the jacket - I used black, and I think it ties in nicely with the zip.

If you would like to see the PatternReview - take a look here!

Bye Bye Simplicity :(

I came across this disturbing message on the Fabricland website a few days go:

So, no local place to purchase Simplicity patterns from in the future.  I have to admit to being a bit of a pattern-aholic and whether I would like any new patterns or not, the fact that they will no longer be available locally, is rather a shame. I know that they can be purchased online (complete with extortionate postal charges) - but where is the instant gratification of that?  No scouring through the patterns books and finding a design that I 'can't live without', or rushing out to get a pattern that I had previously rejected, but having seen it on another sewing blogger, my wardrobe is incomplete without it.

WalMart used to sell fabric and patterns, but there was a big clear out a few years ago, and they only sell limited supplies and a few pre-cut home-dec and quilting fabrics.  So that was the only other avenue open.  I wonder - is Canada such a backward nation of sewists and seamstresses that no-one wants to stock sewing patterns?

Oh well, it is what it is . . . . . the only upside is that the current patterns are being sold off very cheaply, and I picked up these 6 at the weekend:

I really enjoy making little shell tops and have made a number of Sorbetto's.  I thought that the first two patterns, (1886 & 1806) would give me some great alternative options.  1616 has a great selection of summer skirts in both knit and woven fabrics.  I rather like the hip yoke - very cute.

Now I know that you are looking at 2482 and wondering if I have lost my senses, but let me tell you, I live in a place where the temperatures drop to -30c with great regularity during the winter, and snuggling up in a dressing gown/house-coat (I've got some great animal print fleece!  Ha!) would be glorious.  I also like the shorter version as a quick jacket to wear on warmer days.

1918 & 1653 are part of my master plan for the New Year - details to follow on January 1st!!

So there we go, unless I am holidaying in the US, or Simplicity has a great sale on with reduced postage (and I can wait 4-6 weeks for delivery), there will not be any Simplicity pattern for me for some time . . . . unless anyone has any suggestions????