Sew Menswear: Blazer of 2016!

blazer of 2016

It’s amazing where a bit of Tweeting lands you up.

Not for the first time, I recently made friends with another great sewing blogger, Jamie from Male Devon Sewing. He tweeted for suggestions on what he should make next and I cheekily replied that he should make a man’s blazer so I could watch his every move and pick up all his tips! He liked the idea of making a summer jacket and I was genuinely looking forward to watching his every step but then the sewing-table turned and Jamie suggested we have a Blazer-off of sorts! Me and my big mouth!

Mr O has been begging me to make him a blazer for absolutely ages and if I’m honest, I’ve been plain terrified of not being able to follow it through! And if I’m really honest there’s a bit of selfish in me that would rather be making me another (easy) dress!

McQeen Feather print blazer
Source: upscalehype.com

But what am I actually terrified of?  Why would it be so much different to sew than ladies wear? I’ve made a jacket for me before, not the best of fitting and the stripes don’t line up on the shoulders but it’s a jacket all the same and I’m sure I could rectify those issues with a bit of care and attention. And If I didn’t, would it really be the end of the world?

Jamie and I put heads together and supposed because of a lack of menswear being sewn out there that there might just be a fair few of you also fearing how difficult it might be or maybe you’re just plain uninspired. Let’s face it, there’s not much in the way of menswear patterns compared to the plethora of womens’ out here. Like 6% apparently! And so #Blazerof2016 was born as a kick up the butt, so to speak to inject some much needed inspiration and promote a growth in the sewing of menswear!

Quadrophenia style blazer
Source: Bespoke Suit

Although I’ve been sewing for a few years, this is something that is definitely lacking in my repertoire so I’ll definitely be learning on the job, sharing all that I learn along the way. And if you check out Jamie’s jackets you’d be forgiven for thinking he has heaps of experience but he literally only sewed his first jacket a year ago! So we can all hold hands together – and steal all Jamie’s tips! By using the hashtag, #Blazerof2016 and tagging @ooobop and @maledeveonsewing on Twitter we can put out pleas for help as well as posting tips and progress photos. Nothing like a dive into the deep end, hey?!

Make one for your fella, your dad, your best mate, your brother or your son. Lets do it. Lets make someone’s day, add some more skills to our toolbox, encourage more sewing of menswear and more than anything, lets have some fun. Pinstripe, tweed or floral . . . let’s go crazy with colour and print. It doesn’t have to be boring! We’ll be regularly posting inspirational photos and techniques along the way so stay tuned for tailoring fun!

clue check blazer
source: alux.com

We have a good six months before submission day which is good for me because, like most things, I’m going to have to do this outside of work and children! I’ll do my best to blog as many stages of mine as I can and I’ll encourage you to do the same so we can show everyone how cool and satisfying it is to sew a fabulous piece of menswear.

So who’s up for joining us on our quest to scatter some menswear among the dresses of the sewing community? The rules are simple:

  • Make a Man’s blazer/jacket using any pattern of your choice, or draft your own, it MUST be a piece of menswear though!
  • Your choice of fabric suitable for a jacket.
  • Can be fully lined, part lined or unlined (although if unlined the seams need to be suitably finished).
  • Must have some sort of pockets (your choice again: Patch, Flap, Welt).
  • Your choice of vent at the back, either single or double.
  • Your choice to have opening/buttoned cuffs.
  • Jacket to be completed by June.

Please note this is not a scheduled sewalong. This challenge should you choose to accept, is to be completed in your own way, at your own pace, within the 6 months allowed of course.

Leave a comment below with either me or Jamie so we can see who’s in and please add the badge to your blog to spread the word.

blazer or 2016

I’m off to study patterns. Good luck every one!

22 Replies to “Sew Menswear: Blazer of 2016!”

  1. Not sure my sewing skills are upto a proper men’s jacket, sounds scary! I may make a jacket for my son, but he’s only nine so he won’t judge what I produce! Not really menswear though is it? Intrigued though.

    1. Sounds amazeballs Janene, and as you know I have a yen and a ken for menswear! 😉 Can I put a plug in here for our menswear pattern library at my shop Made on Marion, patterns can be borrowed for a gold coin donation (which is $1 or $2 in NZ) and I’ll even post at the borrower’s expense ($3) around NZ. All proceeds go towards growing the library and any excess goes to one of our local charities that we support. xo

      1. Thanks Mrs C. Are you going to join us? I am dead happy to give you a mention when I do a follow up post on the patterns available. I think that will be most fitting. There really are not many out there compared to womens. And man cannot live in pjs alone!!

    2. Don’t worry lovely, I’m not so sure mine are either… I’m terrified too! How big is your son. Could he pass as a small man?! 😉

  2. Sounds amazeballs Janene, and as you know I have a yen and a ken for menswear! 😉 Can I put a plug in here for our menswear pattern library at my shop Made on Marion, patterns can be borrowed for a gold coin donation (which is $1 or $2 in NZ) and I’ll even post at the borrower’s expense ($3) around NZ. All proceeds go towards growing the library and any excess goes to one of our local charities that we support. xo

  3. Ah, go on then. I LOVE making men’s shirts but I’ve never made a blazer. Quite keen to do something made to measure, rather than using a pattern… But maybe that is too big an ask for my first attempt!

    1. Good on you, Laura! Nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that. If the drafting is calling, go to it! And please share. I want to steal ALL the tips!! 🙂

  4. It was this very morning I promised to make a suit for my partner to wear to my brother’s wedding this summer. If you do any research regarding patterns it would be great if you shared it – I don’t know where to start!

    1. That’s so lovely of you Ebi. It doesn’t have to be for a specific man at all. Donate, sell, auction for charity…lots of possibilites! 🙂

  5. I would like to join in. I have started but never been able to finish a jacket for my son. I may have to start again. I may not have time until May. But if I make a public commitment I am more likely to do this. So yes please – now I have to try to get the widget to work…

  6. Ooo, I’m so gonna join in! Child 2 loved his suit for Christmas so much that he deserves another blazer. So this is going to be the item that I will make for the challenge. Hubby has promised to convert last year’s bonus into a new sewing machine (yeah, I know, he’s a keeper!) but wants an item of clothing in compensation. He doesn’t normally wear blazers so I was thinking of a shirt, but who knows, if the fancy takes them I might just get around to making two blazers.
    Excited already!!!

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