Diamond (Jackets) Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Posted in Books, Sewing

Strap in, friends; this is a long one.

Over the last few months, I’ve been chugging away at making the pink-and-blue jacket from the movie Howl’s Moving Castle. Keen-eyed readers may have spotted it in previous Project Roundup posts. It has, finally, been photographed to the very last thread, and here it is!

The author stands in front of a hedge, photographed from neck to knees. She is wearing a quilted jacket with a white shirt and black pants. The jacket bodice is patchworked with hundreds of small blue and pink diamonds of various patterns. The arms are plain pink, with white cuffs. Her body is at an angle to the camera, so one whole side of the front of the jacket is visible.

It is complete!

The author stands in front of a hedge, photographed from neck to the ground. She's wearing the quilted jacket over a white shirt, black pants, and black boots. The jacket is draped over her shoulders; her arms are not in the sleeves. Instead, her hands are tucked into her pockets underneath the jacket.

I also took a few photos wearing ordinary, non-costume clothes, and it still looks great!

The author stands in front of a hedge, photographed from neck to thighs. She's wearing the quilted jaclet with her arms in her sleeves and her hands in the jacket's two front pockets. She also wears a blue checked shirt and green pants.

(Which is good, because this is how I’ll be wearing this jacket 99% of the time.)

The author stands in front of a hedge, photographed from neck to thighs. She's almost side-on to the camera, with the quilted jacket thrown over the closer shoulder. She's wearing the checked shirt and green pants as well.

I used the Peppermint Viola Quilted Jacket pattern, and made my diamond template with the instructions from the Checkerboard Coat pattern by CubeySewingPatterns on Etsy.

The author stands in front of a hedge, photographed from head to thighs. She's wearing the quilted jacket over her shoulders, and is facing away from the camera, so the back of the jacket is in view. It is completely patchworked with pale blue and pink fabrics in a variety of patterns. Her black pants are also visible beneath the jacket.

I put so many details into this jacket; I made all the bias binding and stitched it down by hand; I quilted the sleeves in diamonds, to match the diamonds on the bodice….

Close-up of the sleeve and one front panel of the quilted jacket. The sleeve has been quilted in a diamond pattern to match the diamonds on the bodice. The white cuff is unquilted, and all the edges (of the jacket, cuff, pocket) have been bound with yellow bias binding.

….there is a (very subtle) hanging loop at the centre back neck, the inside has this reference to the book (because I am a book girlie first and foremost!)….

Close-up of the inside of the back of the jacket, from about waist up. The jacket is lined in red fabric, and across the back are the words "WELSH RUGBY", appliqued on in white fabric. The internal seams have also been bound in white bias binding, and there is an (almost invisible) hanging loop just under the collar.

….there are four inside pockets, two on each side….

Close-up of the inside of one of the front panels of the jacket. There are two patch pockets hand-sewn onto the jacket: a large one near the bottom, and a smaller one further up. The bottom pocket has an iron-on patch of Calcifer the fire demon on it.

….whew! And most of the fabrics are from my stash or the op shop (or are similarly second-hand).

The author stands in front of a hedge, photographed from neck to the ground. She's wearing the quilted jacket over her shoulders, with her arns out of the sleeves, and a white shirt with black pants and boots. Her arms are out to her sides a little, with her fingers artfully spread. The red lining of the jacket is a little bit visible, as well as the patchworking at the shoulders. It looks very wizard-ish.

Was it worth it for this wardrobe wizard cosplay? You bet! (I do also have Howl’s necklace and earrings, but I forgot to wear them for the photos!)

The author stands in front of a hedge, photographed from neck to thighs. She's wearing the quilted jacket properly, with a white shirt and black pants. One hand is tugging at the cuff of the other sleeve.

I am incredibly pleased with this jacket! It looks incredible with plain clothes, but is also distinctive enough when I wear it with black and white, per the costume. The pattern was great as well, and I’d definitely make another. Maybe with just one fabric, though!

Anyways, see ya!

Yves

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Published by Filliefanatic

Lover of all things tiny, model horse collector, reader and crafter for life!

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