Welt Pockets for New Look 6617

This is a revisited pattern, which I did in 2007. At that time I was totally new to sewing garments, and for some unknown reason selected New Look 6617, which was a total challenge, but ended with favorable results. Initially, my plan was to do Simplicity 2766, but of course, detoured and started on NL6617. I had forgotten how many pieces there are to the pattern and was quickly reminded when I started pulling them out. With so many pieces I knew I needed to organize how I would work this garment. Each day last week I worked on ironing, cutting and marking that by Friday I was able to begin assembling the garment.

Also, I am doing a lining, and decided I would work the lining along with assembling the garment, which is tedious, but effective. With so many pieces I had to label everything just to keep me from becoming befuddled.
The fabric is a polyester/rayon/cotton blend that has a tweed appearance with strands of apricot/beige/metallic threads and its lightweight.

All of the seams are double serged, it felt like I was a skinning a chicken with feathers flying everywhere, the fabric frayed tremendously and figured double serging was in order. The top part of the jacket required a lot of pining, baste stiching and sewing because of the 9 pieces.

The project did not call for a lining, but wanted the jacket to last longer and easier to slip on and off. So I am working up the lining as I assemble the jacket to prevent that second garment syndrome...lol

Attaching the lower front and back was a piece of cake just pin and serge.

The jacket was too long and have cut off 4" from the bottom. I have also baste stitched the front facings to help me gauge how many inches needed to do the center back pleat for the lining.


Last night after doing the pocket flap, I decided I really wanted pockets and after reading several bloggers' posts about successful welt pockets became inspired enough to give it a try.
I used tips and techniques from several bloggers, books and dvds to help me out: Ms. Faye, Tanya, Paco, Summerset, Carolyn, Erica, Threads, and Palmer Pletsch.
Here are a few progress pics of the welt pockets. I was going to do fabric buttons, but noticed that the jacket would look better with dark buttons. Looking forward to checking out JoAnns' selection.

Doing welt pockets was definitely a learning experience and looking forward to doing more and will practice more instead of diving into it first time around.

I really need to turn this fabric into a bag, it would work well with the jacket...