Creative Sweatshirt Jacket Question & Answer

Ann from Kansas writes: Hi Londa, I have your Ultimate Jacket Collection CD. I want to make some for my mother who is 80 yrs. old, about 5’4” and slender. She has a dowager’s hump which causes her jackets to rise up in the back. Which jackets would you recommend as being the most flattering fit for her? I do plan on curving the back hem but feel there might be some other options also. Also want to let you know that I adore all your websites and am making plans to attend some of your classes later this year. You are a busy and talented lady and I really appreciate your efforts in all you do to put out your information. I know that’s a lot of work. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks! Ann in KS

I answer: Thanks for the kind words. What a good observation and question regarding your Mom. Realizing that the Dowager’s Hump requires more LENGTH in the back, and some fitting there – I would immediately add a yoke across the back. Make it even all fabric if you don’t have enough sweatshirting ‘fabric’ to cover with another. If you do make it all ‘fabric’ – be sure to duplicate the thickness of the sweatshirting – by interfacing/lining. The hump is really a bump – just like a breast – for which the lines of the yoke are actually ‘darts’ from each armscye. Does that make sense? I imagine you have fitted a jacket on her – just super-impose and adapt that for the back of your jacket of sweatshirting. Remember my mantra, the sweatshirt is NOT a sweatshirt, but rather fabric and matching ribbing. You could also adapt with a fabric lower portion to make the back ‘straight’ at the hem. OR – just be sure to use a sweatshirt plenty big to give you plenty of fabric. The first solution is definitely the best, though.

Thanks Londa

For Londa’s books, patterns, and supplies as described in her sewing escapades, please see Londa’s Creative Threads – http://www.londas-sewing.com