Well this is very exciting writing my first post for Minerva! There were so many beautiful fabrics to choose from but I decided to settle on this Floral Print Cotton and Polyester Canvas. When choosing my fabric I tried to choose sensibly with a plan in mind. So decided that this canvas could be used for one of my 'Make 9 2020'.

I chose to make the Closet Core Patterns Sienna Maker Jacket from this fabric. While I was waiting for the fabric to arrive in the post, I read up on all the instructions to make sure I understood it clearly. As soon as the fabric arrived I got it straight in the washing machine for a prewash. I didn't use to prewash but now do this with all my fabrics and it's so worth it.

I was so delighted opening my first Minerva package. The canvas is a lovely sky blue colour with yellow and white daisies. Such a cheerful fabric to sew with in this sometimes dull Winter. It is described as a polyester and cotton canvas with a medium weight. It is a hard wearing fabric so I thought would be perfect for a jacket. It is a very wide fabric too, 56 inches, so plenty to work with.

After taking my measurements I decided to make a size 12, though I would make a size 10 if I make the jacket again just for a more snug fit.

The instructions overall seemed pretty straightforward, though there were a couple of things like the belt vent and collar caused me a little confusion. Not because they weren't explained well but because I hadn't done a belt vent before and collars always tend to confuse me.

The pattern suggests to use a flat fell seam or a faux flat fell seam. I chose to do the flat fell seam and loved the finish this gave. This type of seam did take a bit longer to do but worth it for the finish. I think it's nice for the inside of a garment to look just as luxurious as the outside. For the sleeve seams I just overlocked them.

Seam allowances are mostly 5/8" unless otherwise stated. The back seam calls for a one inch seam, though out of habit I did the 5/8" seam and it was only later on when I was putting on the collar I realised I had excess fabric. So lesson learnt... I'll pay attention to those all important seam allowances next time!

Attaching the shoulder seams and side seams were fine, I always like this step in a project because it is easy and usually the first chance to try your garment on.

Collars... collars are not my favourite thing to do but that makes me want to improve this skill even more. Reading through the instructions they were very clear about how to attach the collar. Somewhere along the line I managed to get slightly untidy collar corners. I think I understand where I went wrong. I'm thinking I didn't trim the seams correctly so the corners were bit bulky. To improve it I snipped more in at the corners and did lots of pressing. Thankfully I am happy that I will still be able to wear it. It will probably only me that will notice the little imperfections!

One thing I am delighted with is the belt vent on my Sienna Maker Jacket. I hadn't done this before but the instructions were very clear and easy to understand. I am really happy with the result.

The fabric was a nice stable one to work with and it will be nice to wear in the Spring and Summer weather. This fabric could also be used to make bags, wash bags or even a skirt. Minerva also suggests using it for chair covers, cushions and bags. It's such a versatile fabric, perfect for beginner sewists or the advanced sewist.

I'm looking forward to the brighter and warmer days in Spring and Summer when I can wear this jacket.

Thanks for reading my first Minerva post!

Rebekah (SewNo65) x

#minervamakes #minervamakers #isew #memade #memades #sewing #sewist #sewists #sewinginspo #sewinginspiration #sew #sewcialist #sewingproject #sewingprojects #sewingideas #sewingprojectideas #sewingpatterninspo #lovesewing #ilovesewing #sewsewsew #sewersgonnasew #makersgonnamake #sewaholic #sewaholics #shareyoursewing #sewinglove #handmadewardrobe #handemadeclothes #isewmyclothes #diyclothes #dressmaking #fabricinspo #seamstress #memadeeveryday #imakemyclothes #imakemyownclothes #fashion #fashioninspo #memadewardrobe #memadefashion #diyfashion #diywardrobe #fashionsewing #indiepatterns #indiesewingpatterns #closetcasepatterns #closetcorepatterns #closetcasesiennajacket #closetcoresiennajacket #siennajacket #siennamakersjacket #sewingjackets #blue #sewingwithcanvas #canvassewingprojects #sewingouterwear