Sandra Betzina

Kantha

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Red Kantha

I was gifted this kantha, made in Bangladesh, a couple of months ago (I won’t go into the long story of how it came to me). The quality of both the kantha quilting and the embroidery is exceptional. I can’t imagine the hours it took some woman to execute it. All hand work, done for pennies!

I can’t see using it as a bedspread, although it would fit my queen bed. Instead, I intend to make a spring/summer loose coat from it.

What you see is half the kantha, the half beneath is identical. There’s certainly enough fabric to make a gorgeous garment – I see the half medallion (at the top centre) at the neckline with the large embroidery below at the centre of the back. I could then cut the two fronts from the other side, same thing – medallion at the neckline, same embroidery below. I visualize loose sleeves with the border along the edge. I think the half may be long enough for the border to be at the hem of both front and back, as well.

In my patten collection I just found this garment by Sandra Betzina –

Unlined Coat

Fitted at the top, flowing through the bottom. I like the folded neckline although I would fold it to the inside (otherwise, the way Betzina constructs it, that folded neckline would expose the unfinished back of the fabric). The other thing I could do is make that “scarf” element separately, attaching it to the front, then top stitching it underneath. It would do that same thing – provide heft and shape to the neckline and the front edges. I might actually be able to find two pieces of the kantha border to do that!

I would also straighten the hem – I’m not a pointed hem kinda gal. That would mean lengthening the centre front and back/removing the points. I do want pockets – probably not inserted in the side seams but added using a welt opening closer to the front edge.

Also, because this is an unlined garment, I would bind the seams on the inside using some batik fabric.(Betzina suggests pressing the seams open and adding a Hong Kong finish on the raw edges.) At the moment I don’t see any other adjustments except I might put a couple of hidden hook/eye closings just above the waist so I can close the coat on a windy day.

I think I’m ready to start working on it – our weather is just warming enough that I’d get to wear it a few times before it becomes too warm to warrant even a light coat.

Finished Jean Jacket

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I finished the jean jacket this afternoon (I see from the photo, I need to reposition the second button from the bottom just a smidge to eliminate the ‘bulge’ in the bottom opening).

Finished Jean Jacket

The back

Jean Jacket Back

The back turned out nicely. The adjusted size E closes across the front as it should. Turns out, the linen was difficult to work with – stiff and coarse. The shoulder pads and sleeve headers do what they should – lift the shoulder a bit, and smooth the sleeve cap. Fiddly to do but worth the effort. The lining fits in well and is slippery enough that my arms slip into the sleeves easily. And I like the contrast elements in the sleeve bottom.

This is the fourth jacket from this pattern – it’s a well designed pattern (the inside zipper pockets are a good addition) – the markings all align and the parts fit together precisely.

I’m Back

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It’s not that I went anywhere – I’ve just been working away at several things and not finished much to write about. But I’ve not been idle!

I’ve been working on a linen Jean Jacket (Out of print pattern by Sandra Betzina)and slowly making progress. It’s a lined jacket, with lots of top stitching and I’ve added two inner zippered pockets at the front facing/side lining seam so I can actually carry something in a pocket. The jacket pockets are no good for even carrying a Kleenex – they’re too shallow and anything I’d put in there would just fall out.

Partially constructed Jean Jacket

I’ve made three of these jackets over the years – a cotton/linen blend, a wild printed fabric, and one in denim – the problem is they’re TOO small – they don’t fit – I can’t button them up. I needed another one in a larger size. I’d bought the linen to make a dress but after a couple of washings and dryings the fabric was still too stiff to use for a dress or pants so I decided to make a jean jacket.

I’ve got the lining constructed, the sleeves (which have quite a bit of detail) are done. I’ve set up the sleeve facings having added a Hong Kong finish to the open edge. Now I’m working on putting the rest of the lining together. I expect I might be finished the jacket tomorrow or over the weekend.

In the meantime, I decided I needed a new iPhone carrying case – not much larger than the ones I’ve made before but larger enough that I can carry a credit card, my drivers licence, health card, some money in addition to the cough candy and chewing gum I always have on hand (because of my pesky cough – which BTW has subsided substantially recently – not gone but much less of a problem). My first try wasn’t quite wide enough and the top pocket was too deep. So I made a second.

iPhone Case 2.0

What I did was figure out how to add two zippered pockets to one side in addition to the zippered pocket along the length!

I haven’t written any instruction for how to do this version. When I get around to making another one and taking photos as I go along I’ll set up some instructions to share.

It’s still not large enough to fit my keys in but I have a hook on my key ring which I can hang on the strap if I don’t want to carry them in a pants or jacket pocket.

And I’ve almost got a sock finished from the new pair I’m working on – that will probably be completed this evening.

But since it’s been just over two weeks since I reported on anything I though I should update what I am working on.