Firstly, we want to apologise for the delay in announcing our Maker of the Month for March 2025! It’s been a busy start to April, and the competition in March was fierce.
We’re thrilled to congratulate Jen aka @completestitch on her stunning Delphine Woven Jacket! The fabric choice is absolutely amazing, and the hardware details really elevate the piece – it looks just like a ready-to-wear garment. This jacket is sure to become a long-lasting staple in Jen’s wardrobe.
Get to know Jen, our Maker of the Month, as she shares her sewing journey, inspiration, and tips!
Q&A with Jen
aka @completestitch
1. When did you start sewing, and what inspired you to begin your sewing journey?
My mum was quite crafty and sewed clothes for my sister and I when we were little, so making was a normal part of life in our household. As a teenager, I of course wanted new clothes but couldn’t afford many (it was before the rise of cheap clothes and fast fashion!) so started sewing instead. I probably started making clothes when I was fifteen. I’m 53 now, and have sewn on and off during that time, sometimes going several years without making anything. When my husband and I built our house ten years ago a sewing room was included- it’s small but very valuable to me, and since then my love of sewing and the time I spend sewing have grown. I was also very lucky to make a new friend at a sewing class around the same time; she is now one of my best friends and it’s lovely to have someone to discuss my pattern and fabric obsessions with!
2. What drew you to the Delphine Woven Jacket, and how did you approach fabric and styling choices? Did you make any personal tweaks along the way?
I’ve become more interested in striving for a good fit in recent years, and so patterns that can be used repeatedly are appealing. It means that the time I put into sewing a toile and making pattern adjustments is really well spent. The Delphine is fairly classic so won’t date quickly, it’s similar to many lovely RTW jackets that are around this year, and the different options of pockets and collars mean that numerous versions are possible. I had the fabric already- although my fabric stash isn’t huge I’m really trying to sew it down or give it away as I want to get to a point of only buying for specific projects. The fabric is a basket weave cotton that I thought would be perfect with jeans- not too formal and the right colour to go with almost everything. I didn’t make any changes to the pattern, other than some fit adjustments that are usual for me and making bound buttonholes. However, I did keep changing my mind about the details! I made a whole set of pockets that I didn’t use, but I’m really pleased with my final choices.
3. How do you see the Delphine Jacket fitting into your wardrobe, and are there any other Style Arc patterns you’d love to pair it with?
I find that a good outfit formula for many parts of my life is jeans, blouse/shirt and a tailored or semi-tailored jacket (plus necessary layers, dependent on the weather, as I do live in the UK!). Although I only finished my Delphine about four weeks ago I’ve already worn it loads, even with a puffer jacket on top for a particularly windy walk at the seaside. I do need more blouses though, especially now the weather is warming up a little and we’re (almost) out of knitwear. I’m considering the Tiffany woven blouse, which is similar to a RTW blouse I have that looks great with my Delphine but is getting a bit old now. I also like the look of the Francesca woven shirt and think that will go really well with my next Delphine, which is waiting to be made. I’ve bought some pink jumbo corduroy and plan to make a collarless jacket similar to a Chloe design that I’ve seen online.
4. Are there any current sewing trends you’re loving right now—whether it’s a colour, silhouette, or technique—and do you see them influencing your next make?
A lot of the time I’m inspired by RTW and then try to work out how I can make something similar, and I enjoy it when pattern companies and sewists emulate some of the popular RTW designs. For example, there is a fashion at the moment for boho-inspired embellishment, e.g. pleats, smocking and lace, and it’s interesting to see that in the shops, in patterns and in sewists’ work. I did make a blouse with ladder lace inserted at the yoke and cuffs, and it was interesting trying a different technique. My aim is to sew clothes that I will wear and love for a long time, and believe that spending a bit of time on additional details and quality finishes is time well spent. The sewing community has been very keen on shirring for a few years, and that’s a detail that we see in a lot of RTW at the moment. I made a sleeveless dress with a shirred bodice last year, and am considering a version with sleeves. . . my list of potential makes just keeps on growing!
Want to get involved? Now’s your time to stitch it, style it, and show it off! Entries are open until the end of April 2025 – don’t miss your opportunity to be featured. Choose your fabric, pick your favourite Style Arc pattern, and get stitching! Share your make on your Instagram and tag us using #samakerapr25 for your chance to win a $40 voucher and be celebrated as our next Maker of the Month.
We can’t wait to see what you create to showcase your talent!
Happy sewing!
♡ The Style Arc team