Back to the Eighties

I haven't seen denim jackets around for a while, possibly since the Eighties.  It is interesting how things come and go in style.

I found Kwik Sew 3251 on sewingpatterns.com .  The interesting thing with this pattern is it looks just like a Levi's jacket Joe has.  This made my jacket easier to assemble because I had a model.   I am sewing a small size of this pattern with two inches added to the length and the arms.

I was inspired to do this jacket after watching Janet Pray make a women's denim jacket in this Craftsy class.  She shows step-by-step how to make her jacket pattern.  She shows lots of tips and does teach how to sew faster and better.  I did flat fell some seams, even though she serges all.

I used my DressMaster machine to sew this and do the topstitching.  The American made White machines with friction drive do incredible straight stitches.  Plus they will sew through anything, even several layers of denim.

I used 5/8" metal embossed nickel buttons for use on jeans purchased from Wawak.com.  I installed them by squeezing together the two pieces with pliers, instead of hammering together.  I attached my "White" buttonholer to my DressMaster.

I was warned by a reader about the sizing.  Yes, it is big in the shoulders, so  I might make it again after adjusting the shoulders.   Since the denim was $1.50 per yard on closeout at Walmart, I made this jacket inexpensively.

I enjoyed the topstitching so much I am planning on making another jacket with the same pattern, but with beige denim, adjusted shoulders, and only 1" added to the sleeves. 

I also plan on using my new Necchi Supernova Ultra BF that followed me home for $4.50.

Thanks for stopping.

Ready for Winter

After making my lined shacket I decided a new coat would be nice to have.  I made a coat a few years ago and wear it often.  However, I feel it is time for another.  This time with  a gray wool blend and a navy lining.

 I purchased Kwik Sew 3123 on Sewingpatterns.com . I downloaded and printed out the pattern, then put it together like a puzzle.  I checked out this pattern on PatternReview.com and found most people said the sizing ran large.  I chose medium anyway.

The first muslin turned out huge, with lots of shoulder and arm room.  So I decided to cut the pattern's armscyes to small, but keep everything else medium.  This made a better fit.  But still too big, so I decided to make the pattern in small, with one inch added to the arm length.

The instructions are thorough and clear.  The only thing I did different from the instructions was to make the collar from the outer material instead of the lining.

My Singer Diana in a desk did a great job sewing this project.  This 1975 electronic machine is smooth and quiet.
I tried different machines for the topstitching, but used Diana anyway.   She did great with the thick thread and a 14 needle.

The buttons are an inch wide so I made 1 1/8" buttonholes​ with my Singer CE100.  Diana has a two-step manual buttonhole and I wasn't sure I would get them all the same.

Welt pocket

This is a comfortable coat.  It is definitely oversized and boxy.  I like it and have worn it several times.

I found a Kwik Sew pattern for a denim jacket which I think will be a great project.

Thanks for stopping.