FO: Simplicity 3538 Jacket

I decided to make my mom a jacket for Christmas and finally completed it about a month ago... oops! She knew about the jacket because I had brought it over for a fitting. I completed the jacket while I was in town and she was at work... leaving it in her bedroom while I came back home (in a different city). She called me later to say thank you and also to point out all my mistakes. My mom is a professional tailor and seamstress mind you... I knew I wasn't going to get away with anything. :)

Pattern: Simplicity 3538
Fabric: Off-white suiting and printed charmeuse from Joann with white cotton underlining.





I really like the versatility of this pattern. I do want to make this for myself with ruffles like many others did based on the JCrew Fiona jacket.

Some modifications and/or tips:

1. I needed to underline the off-white suiting because the lining was visible from the outside.
2. Don't line the jacket based on the pattern instructions! After reading many reviews, I should've bagged the lining as many suggested. However, since it was my first lining I thought I should proceed with the pattern instructions. This was no good... I had a hard time with the sleeves and did NOT like how it turned out on the inside.
3. The sleeves are a little too skinny for my mom's (and my) arms, but we both have full arms.

If you do the lining their way this is what the sleeves look like before the bias tape...



I did reduce the seam allowance because the arms were a little tight and trimmed it evenly down, which made finishing with bias tape every difficult. I had to hand stitch the bias tape down, which I didn't mind, but it just looked homemade.  (The poly charmeuse unravels like crazy!)

I also don't like how the sleeve vents turned out... there's all fabric bunching going there.



I also finished the buttonholes a little too small.  The buttons do fit but it's not easy... oops!  The procrastinator that I am didn't have time to fix it.  :P  Sorry, mommy... I love you!  My first lined jacket complete!  I will definitely give this pattern another go, but just with some mods.