Ode to Chanel

Tweed is in! I am seeing Chanel inspired jackets everywhere. This fantastic Linton tweed is telling me it wants to be a little cropped Chanel. And this buttery soft silk charmeuse wants to be the lining. My head is spinning. Now that I have basic pattern blocks to start with, I cannot stop designing things in my mind. Another hurdle... design... With a whole world of possibilities open to me, I have to figure out how to make great design choices. The learning curve never ends. It's great!

I think I will use the Bernina My Label military jacket pattern as a starting point. I'll crop it and remove the collar. I have so many more design decisions to make. Jacket length - should I crop it above the waist like a little shrug? Maybe it should come right to the waistline? I have a smallish waist... What should I do about the front closure? Should the center fronts overlap and button? Bound buttonholes or hand stitched? Or should the center just butt with hooks and eyes? Maybe I should design it to be worn open and not even meet at the center front? Will it look like the jacket is too small if I do that? And trim? I think the tweed will make really nice fringe... but I am not always a fan of fringe. Too sloppy and bulky... What do you think yay or nay on the fringe? Maybe a simple contrast ribbon trim since the tweed has so much texture? Pockets? Do I want pockets? I like to carry my iPhone, but I am concerned about the weight of the phone. Maybe faux pockets to add interest? Do I even need them if the jacket length is cropped? Will they look good on me? Sleeve length - I am thinking bracelet length sleeves, but then should I go discreet with the trim and buttons? Maybe full length sleeves with 3 buttons will give the same effect as bracelet length sleeves - calling attention to the small circumference at the wrist? Oh this is too much fun...