The Ilford Jacket

Lately I have been on quite the brocade kick in my choices of fabric. I don’t think it was really a conscious decision, more like I could resist the amazing prints that brocade comes in! I just didn’t know that brocade was so incredibly unique with prints. That in itself calls my name! This brocade was no different. As soon as I saw the floral detail in this light yellow and pink it just screamed Marimekko to me. If you follow me, you know that I have a huge admiration for all things Marimekko. So I knew I just had to create something special with this brocade.

Initially I had a flowy, tiered dress planned for this brocade but it didn’t feel quite right. Next I thought of a two piece set but I just completed another two piece set, in a pink brocade, and didn’t want to repeat that. As I searched on Pinterest at various Marimekko garments it all came together when I saw a Marimekko coat from 2015, I believe. A light pink with orange. I knew then that I was going to make an oversized, street style jacket. You know one of those that are just super easy to throw on over a short dress or over wide leg pants.

The real issue was determining which side would be on the outside. The brocade is beautiful but the wrong side was equally amazing. Just that right level of muted. It was a hard choice but I went with the wrong side and I am beyond pleased. It just turned out so perfectly. To add to the street wear vibe I added in alternating coloured buttons of pink and yellow. 1” in size so you could really see them pop. The pattern I went with was the Ilford jacket from Friday Pattern Company and I just love it! Super easy to sew up and the result looks like I spent ages on making it. I don’t know about you but those are the types of patterns I love.

Overall I absolutely loved using this brocade. It had such a smooth feel and it’s lovely on the skin. It’s a medium weight making it a trans-seasonal piece that I will probably live in when it’s Spring and Autumn!