AI6YR BenHmm, softshell fabric not cheap... about $28.00 per yard. (if I were theoretically going to sew myself a new softshell jacket). #sewing
So, the problem with something like black or blue or green, is then it's not terribly obvious you've sewn yourself a jacket (because all the softshells out there are black or blue or green)., But purple or "tomato" are way off the usual scale of colors. Which means you've got to be willing to show off a bit, lol. (I have no problem with it--ie random strangers chatting with you because you have an outrageously loud outfit--but the family prefers to blend in and hide....)
Looks like most jacket patterns are between 2 1/4 and 2 1/2 yards for my size. Given my sewing skill level, that means I really should by 3 yards, in case of a snafu. #sewing
Okay, decided to go for it... going to attempt at some point to sew myself a soft shell jacket. Starry Skies, lol. Space themed? Something like that. Bought way more than I need, 4 1/2 yards because it's a 9 inch repeating pattern and I don't know what the heck I am doing most of the time. Now I have to go buy zippers. (this of course will cost many times what buying a used one would cost). My goal is approximately the same as this North Face current model, which is the evolved version of the jacket I have here that I will attempt to clone. (minus the cell phone thingie on the shoulder). Full zip, two pockets with zippers. #sewing
Shirley Eugest@ai6yr
That sounds about right for a man's jacket. Any excess can become pockets or bag, hat. Better too much than not enough fabric.
That sounds about right for a man's jacket. Any excess can become pockets or bag, hat. Better too much than not enough fabric.
Sarah E Bourne@EugestShirley @ai6yr I would add an inside pocket or two - great for stashing gloves so they stay warm/dry.
W6KME@sbourne @EugestShirley @ai6yr Plus an external breast pocket sized for an HT, with a flap and a place for the antenna to extend. Plus at least a couple of MOLLE tabs on the shoulder for a hand mic.
@W6KME @sbourne @EugestShirley LOL now we're talking "tactical" ham radio jacket. I actually have a "photographer's shirt" which would easily be modified to look like that. The only problem, is if you wear it, you look like Tom Hanks in "Joe vs. the Volcano"... or John Candy in "The Great Outdoors"
@ai6yr @sbourne @EugestShirley It's vital that there only be one radio-capable pocket, and it cannot be beige or black. Camo of any type is right out.
Nathan Eng@W6KME @ai6yr @sbourne @EugestShirley Or go the other way and make a super-secret-squirrel radio jacket: internal upper chest pocket with just a headphone port grommet hole for a slim antenna to stick out; plus loops to run an acoustic tube earpiece. VE6SFX’s faraday cloth slot antennas as shoulder pads ... even J-pole pants! The possibilities are endless!
@ai6yr @w6en @W6KME @EugestShirley I'm imagining a ridiculously tall antenna that goes up through a slot in the back…
Grumble 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇬🇱@grumble209 @ai6yr @w6en @sbourne @EugestShirley Fun Fact: That little tab you have the antenna through is to hold your fishing pole while you bait hooks. All my Columbia PFD shirts have it. My wife Robin read that somewhere.
Sara