After seeing kaitui_kiwi and wzrdreams’ versions of the Hikaru, I knew I had to make this one for myself! I made a few alterations to the pattern for a better fit: I cut a 40 instead of a 44 and did a full bust alteration (which took me a bit to figure out, since it wasn’t immediately obvious which piece I should alter), and I took 3cm out of the body of the jacket and 4cm out of the sleeves (yep, I have really mini arms).
I had a bit of a difficult time with the lining…the front peplum lining piece didn’t seem to line up very well for me, but this is probably due to my lack of experience in putting in linings and not the pattern. I also must have sewed the shoulder pads in three times and they still look a little odd to me, but this might be because the pattern is still a bit too big for me in the shoulders even after the FBA (or because I’m not used to wearing shoulder pads with anything). Surprisingly shortening the metal zipper was not hard at all… I ripped off the extra teeth with a pair of pliers, slipped the stoppers back on, and mashed them closed with a hammer.
Overall, I’m really happy with the way this turned out. It’s a bit more fashion-y than stuff that I would usually wear and so I feel slightly goofy wearing it around in my decidedly un-fashionable upstate NY town (someone asked me the other day if I was going to ride a horse!). Maybe I’ll make another version at some point minus the buttons and epaulettes.
Silk wool blend from gorgeousfabrics.com
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Apr 25, 2010, 04.46 PMby flowergirl22
really nice,, i admire you for making it,,
Feb 16, 2010, 11.48 PMby bbatey
I like it! I thought it looked better on you than the model. Very nice.
Dec 23, 2009, 01.42 PMby mirela
Wonderful! hahahah on the horse part, lol. I think it is great for autumn and spring, very nice job with the alterations, perfect fit. I want one now :)
Dec 18, 2009, 06.44 PMby aimefemme
I absolutely love this jacket!! Now I really want to make one!!
Dec 18, 2009, 06.02 PMby wzrdreams
FAAAAABULOUS! Your description of shortening the zipper is exactly how mine was shortened. Good for you. The fit looks really good. You did a great job!
I actually have some grey/green cashmere wool to cut out a 2nd Hikaru because I love the 1st one so much. The next time around I’m tweaking the pattern…. cutting a size smaller, doing a FBA, extending the back princess and CB lines through the peplum (the peplum lining intructions ARE a little wonky – it’s not you) and lengthening the sleeves.
Dec 18, 2009, 05.16 PMby ichigogirl
Wow, really nice! Well done!
Dec 18, 2009, 03.41 PMby cquinn13
Excellent job! I’m so jealous :)
Dec 18, 2009, 01.50 PMby melly0829
amazing job on the jacket it looks great!
Dec 18, 2009, 11.06 AMby kaitui-kiwi
Ohh I ’m so glad wzrdream and I inspired you! You did a great job. I had to shorten my zipper too, it found it easy as well, just needed a bit of muscle :) Make sure you keep wearing it, you look so classy. I think your fit looks really good, well done on those alterations, they were definitely worth it to get such a beautifully fitted jacket, keep it up! Mel xx
Dec 18, 2009, 10.31 AMby mandan
Good job! I like it very much and it looks warm and perfect for winter! Happy holiday!
Dec 18, 2009, 10.08 AMby anajan
Well done, girl, it looks terrific!
Dec 18, 2009, 06.56 AMby Ashlee Nemo
whatever alterations you did they worked out great…… good job!
Dec 18, 2009, 05.06 AMby zmeargreen015
Well yes I do see some touch up areas,but very exceptional work. Yes linings can be and is very difficult, but try doing it with your own drawn pattern. Then you can say what you to say about the outfit. Learned that a long time ago, when you make your own pieces from scratch and design it yourself, then when poeple say I think this looks like this, you can say no… it looks like that. Merry Chrsitmas!! Raemz’ Kalle’ Couture
Dec 18, 2009, 05.03 AMby hannnc
I love this pattern (top of the list for my next winter!) and yours looks absolutely fantastic! It suits you and looks quite warm :)