I’m the kind of girl that always has a million plans and dreams on my To-Do List and never enough time. I’m a type 1 perfectionist on the enneagram.  I’m one of those people with stacks of self-help books that have been read, highlighted, and dog-eared in the appropriate places. I plan trips months in advance.  I have been known to make itineraries for our house guests that are planned down to the minute.  Yep.  You read that right. The minute. 

So deciding to take on a sewing project the day before a trip I haven’t fully planned yet is basically a thing that would never happen to me. 

Except it just did. 

Our lives have gotten so much busier this past year. I still marvel that I’m a homeschool mom that never seems to be home. The perfectionist in me has had troubles adjusting to a busier lifestyle that isn’t planned down to the minute,  but out of necessity, I’ve made it work. (Did you hear all my fellow perfectionists just gasp in horror?) 

So even though I’ve known our family was flying to Los Angeles for months, I never got around to fine-tuning our plans.  Now, before you think I’ve lost myself in the middle of our busy lives, please know the following:

Yes, I have a list of things we must do in Los Angeles. 

Yes, I have pre-researched restaurants and the weather.  

Yes, I’ve researched parking for various locations and made note of the best time to find parking at top destinations. 

I just haven’t planned a daily trip itinerary. It, honestly, kind of kills me to even type that.  Someone, get me a counselor!

So imagine my surprise when I decided I was sewing myself a sleeveless jacket instead of meticulously packing for our trip. 

I still can’t get over my sudden reckless abandon. 

My husband basically thought I was insane, and so did my kids.  Every time my foot touched the presser foot, all eyes darted in my direction.  While everyone else was doing last minute packing, I was doing last minute sewing before throwing a little last minute packing into the mix too. 

I literally HATE the term “YOLO”.  My teenage boys sometimes say it to me as a joke because they know how much it pains me to hear it.  But the new Amy filled with reckless abandon had a YOLO moment and she isn’t sorry.

Here’s the thing. 

Butterick 6244 is magical.  This pattern is easy-as-pie to sew and the fit and style of this unlined jacket is beautiful. Included in the pattern are instructions for flat-fell seams which make the inside of this garment just as lovely as the outside.  I’m one of those people that can’t stand the thought of an unlined jacket, but this Butterick pattern is changing my mind.  When the interior seams are pretty, an unlined jacket is something I can get behind!

This fabric I used is a camel-colored knit that entered my stash before my daughter could even read. Originally purchased from JoAnn Fabrics, it is a remnant from a previous project that I never loved. I almost never sew knit, but I love the way this particular fabric drapes.  

There are a million ways you could style this and because of the color, it matches just about everything too. 

I’m so smitten with it, that I plan to make a replica in black as soon as we get back from our trip.   I’m also thinking I want to make a version and include the sleeves. Because who are the monsters repeatedly making jackets and omitting the sleeves?!! 

For my version, I chose to add the darts and flat-fell seams as the pattern suggested. However, I decided not to hem any of the edges, including the arm hole. This gives it a clean crisp look and I love the little extra bit of style those raw edges add to this piece. 

You’re going to see me everywhere in this.  And I beam with joy when I think of it because this make is the project none of us ever saw coming. Sometimes a little change does a person good. (Cancel that appointments and tell that counselor I’m gonna be ok, after all.)

Now for my official pattern review…

Butterick 6244 Pattern Review

Describe this pattern.

Semi-fitted, unlined coat (wrong side shows) has front extending into draped collar, flat-fell seams, narrow hem, and shaped front hemline longer than back. Lined dress has contrast shoulder yokes, short sleeves, fitted bodice with princess seams, and invisible back zipper.

What is the difficulty level for Butterick 6244?

This pattern is easy. There are no buttons or zippers involved so this is a great pattern for a beginner seamstress.

What type of fabric would be best for this pattern?

This pattern was designed for light-weight to medium-weight woven fabrics. I used a knit from my stash, and it worked perfectly.

Are the pattern directions easy to follow?

Yes.

What did you like about this pattern?

I love that this pattern is easy and includes instructions to keep the inside nice and pretty, just like the outside.

What did you dislike about this pattern?

I loved everything about this pattern.

Did you make any alterations to this pattern?

I omitted the sleeves and did not hem the armholes or bottom of garment bc I used a knit fabric and I felt this gave it a cleaner look.

Do you recommend this pattern? Would you sew it again?

This is a great pattern for the beginner seamstress. The fit is great, the instructions are easy to understand, and this pattern can easily translate to every season by omitting/adding/modifying sleeves and fabric.