I know it’s nearly May and I’m making a wool jacket. I had to! I’ve been eye-ing making a shaket since Isabel Marant’s Etoile came out. I was OB-sessed!!!

My plan was to literally extend a larger men’s shirt pattern and use a wool to make it but all these inspo patterns have come out and saved me the work!!! I was particularly leaning toward Fibre Mood’s Rya pattern. Dei of Sew Hot Mommi SO SO graciously helped me get a copy of the 2020 11 issue that had this pattern. (Thank you Dei!) I started looking for fabric and found this BEAUTIFUL bright plaid wool knit from Mood Fabric.

I had the pattern and I had the materials. What I didn’t have was the time. While I got everything together in November and December, I only now had time to make this. IN THAT MEANTIME, I saw this short-sleeved shaket cape that I loved:

RIGHT?!! SO cute!! I also loved it’s mandarin collar! BUT then I saw this jacket and loved the belt detail:

The longer I waited, the more details I was adding so I had to make this quick!! One more week and I would’ve added a ruffle somewhere.

The alterations I made are:

• Left off the breast pocket flaps and left exposed binding
• Left binding exposed on the hem
• Left off the sleeve cuffs and added an inset so it would bell out
• Replaced collar with a stand collar
• Added a belt and belt loops made of self

VERDICT :: I LOVE IT!!! I think it’s a great transition piece. It’s for draping over the shoulders or wearing open. The buttons aren’t for using and neither is the belt. HAHA. It’s warm but because it’s unlined and has short sleeves, I can get away with wearing it as the weather starts to warm up. Now I can really move on to making my summer clothes…….and try not to leave my outerwear for so late in the season.