If you’re looking for a quick, fun summer sewing project for yourself, here’s a suggestion: our Lisette for Butterick B6464 jacket!
This spring I sewed two jackets from this pattern, just for the fun of it, and they go really quickly. They’re also a great summer layer for air conditioning and cool evenings, which we have a lot of. The cropped, swingy style is really easy to wear over lots of things.
For my first version, I used the reverse side of some leftover Robert Kaufman Draper Denim from another project. The bands are from a small remnant of Japanese cotton I bought at Drygoods Design when I was visiting last fall. It’s a fascinating wavy weave that I was saving for just the right project. This jacket will definitely see lots of wear and might even become part of my summer core wardrobe!
Isn’t that wavy fabric for the bands interesting? It’s woven that way, complete with little nubs in the white threads. I’m slightly obsessed with it.
This fabric will relax a bit as I wear it (and maybe I should give it a final pressing, too, which I don’t think I ever did…).
Do you remember a while ago when I told you I had sewed something for myself that felt very out of character to what I normally wear? Well, this is it.
I was looking for a drapey fabric like sateen or even satin or chiffon, but I fell in love with this bright floral on a neutral gray ground. (This print also came with a black ground, but the gray felt right for summer.) This is actually a quilting cotton, which certainly isn’t what I originally wanted, but sometimes the print is more important, right? I added flat piping for definition since I wanted to use the same fabric for the neck band and sleeve bands.
This floral version of the jacket is more “on trend,” which might be why it doesn’t feel like me. But I’m seeing a lot of them right now, and I’ve pinned quite a few to my Lisette for Butterick B6464 Pinterest board to inspire you. Sometimes it’s nice to see a pattern made up in a variety of fabrics, isn’t it?
I’ll show you the sleeveless tops I’ve sewn from this pattern next week, and I’ll also show you how to do a full bust adjustment for this style, since that will be useful to anyone larger than a B cup.
Oh, and one more thing: Butterick has a nice video that shows off this style in motion! You can see it here, toward the end of the video. And here is another video in which Doree, who helps translate my designs into sewing patterns, talks about the pattern in more detail. I hope you make it and show us how it turns out! Be sure to tag #sewlisette and #B6464 on your Instagram photos so we can see! You can pick up the pattern right here.
Now I have to get this pattern too! My favorite is the denim version but I also like the quilting cotton version. So neat to see how one pattern can be so different depending on the fabric.
It’s so true! I think one of the most difficult things about designing sewing patterns is helping people to understand how that pattern can change based on your fabric selection. So many options! What I sew isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste, but with a different fabric it can look like something different entirely!
Oh that navy/denim/white outfit is just as good as it gets. Yep, that nubby, wavy fabric is awesome. Is the navy top in the upcoming tops post? I’m liking the little sneak peek….
Yup! Next week, for sure. I sewed so many of them they need their own post!
I have a shock cotton that has been waiting for the right project – and your denim version helped me make that match! Now to contemplate the band – could be fun to add some hand stiching. Would be a nice way to spend outdoors at night. Thanks for the inspiration!
So funny that you mention that! I was contemplating sashiko for the band and then I remembered this fabric, which is good because I didn’t have time for hand stitching. But once the fall patterns are sent off to the printer I would have been all over that one!
I’ve been searching for a pattern just like this for a summer jacket to wear at work. Nothing constricting, just something fun to wear when the air conditioning is a bit too cold, or I need to look a bit more professional.
Thank you Liesl. Beautiful and just fine design. Inspiring me to get busy sewing for myself!
Both so lovely and styled well! I am looking forward to seeing your post on the tops! Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh these are lovely. And I am SO EXCITED that you’re going to show how to do a full bust adjustment – thank you! I’ve tried them with dresses and tops, and never quite succeeded. Maybe (with your help!) this will be a success!
Trish, have you taken my CreativeBug class on bust adjustments? It’s full of helpful information that makes the process really clear.
https://www.creativebug.com/classseries/single/bust-adjustment
These are both lovely. I would live in the denim one.
I love the denim version. I found a scarf sized piece of digital printed silk velvet last night in my stash and now I know it needs to go on a kimono! I would never have chosen this pattern without your version, as I’ve always thought it looks a bit too formal. Thank you for the inspiration.
It all depends on your fabric choices, right! The silk velvet sounds lovely!
Just wondering, did you shorten this jacket, it looks very cropped compared to the pattern photo? I love it this way!
I didn’t change the pattern at all, and I wasn’t at the photo shoot so I can’t say how tall the model was. But I’m 5’8″, so maybe with my long torso it just looks shorter? I like it this way too, and it’s certainly easy enough to shorten if you make it and decide you want it to be shorter.
This is a great, simple jacket! Do you think it will spoil the line if I put a phone pocket in the side seam or hide one inside the jacket front?
a beautiful piece. i bought this pattern to make for my sister-in-law, whom had recently been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. sadly, she passed very suddenly & i did not get to make the kimono. i am home (in florida) now & this piece will be perfect to wear here. i love the floral fabric you used for one of yours – what is the fabric & where can it be purchased ? can’t wait to make some kimono’s