This tip might be late to the party, but what the heck.

When forming the curve at the front edges of the jacket, first chalk out the line of the hem, then hand-sew a running stitch about mid-way between the hem and the raw edge. As you press the hemline, pull up the thread and it will draw in the hem allowance, letting you press a smoother curve and perhaps saving some burnt finger tips. In some extremely curved instances or finicky fabric, I've done this as well as made a curved template then pressed the hem allowance around it.

When you go to sew the lining back into place, don't forget to give it that fold-back from the hem.