Simplicity 3628 had great reviews on PR, and I liked that the jacket's shape was fitted, and could be either casual or work-appropriate (sometimes I find jackets with traditional lapels tough to wear casually). I made view B:
So that I wouldn't be upset if this did not work out I used a wool/cotton that I picked up at JoAnn's on the cheap a while ago. Despite going into this with low expectations, and trying to view it as more of a learning experience, I let this jacket take me for a ride emotionally: I tried it on before I made the lining, and was convinced that it was a terribly ill-fitting failure. Seriously, I went to bed close to tears.
I plodded through, mainly to practice construction details. It started to look a bit better once the lining was in, and after I had the buttons on I realized... it wasn't terrible. In fact, I'll be able to wear this! (Click the picture for a bigger view.)
I belt everything.
I think the collar is great - it stands up, but can be folded down as well:
There is a bit of wrinkling to the left of the collar. Not sure if this is shoddy interfacing or if I attached the collar poorly. The collar eased in quite nicely, so I think it may be interfacing. I don't think it is terribly noticeable (wishful thinking?).
I must say, I think the back fits perfectly!:
Really, I had no fitting issues. The shoulders could potentially be moved in a bit. I realized when I was working on this that even if I did have fitting issues, I wouldn't know how to correct them. It's one thing to let out the side seams slightly on a skirt, a whole other to move in the shoulders on a multi-part jacket front. I didn't really think my lack of fitting ability through before I started this. I'm not the most logical or analytical person. That's why I went to law school. ;)
This jacket is very well drafted. There did not seem to be excessive ease in the sleeves: they went in very easily (that's saying a lot for me). The best part of this pattern is that it requires only a few inches of hand sewing at the bottom of the back lining. The rest is inserted on the machine.
I highly recommend this pattern as an easy fitted jacket. I will definitely be making this again. But first, I'm going to find a good book on fitting jackets.