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
Front zipper on existing jacket is 26 inches (nylon, large teeth). The two pockets are 7 inch zippers (small teeth, nylon). The existing jacket has a tiny front pocket, like the shown design with arm pocket, I think designed for a 1990's flip phone, lol. I don't think any of these pockets can handle a phone anymore nowadays, they are so big. I will not buy a zipper or plan on that pocket, I never used the existing one for 35 years, so.... #sewing #project #softshelljacket
Zippers (and ball point needles) ordered from Wawak, and also everything I see about this kind of fabric says "use clips not needles or you will leave marks", so bought some clips 🤷 I'm sure I have forgotten something important. Also wondering about the stretch now on this fabric and adjustments I'll have to make to the pattern, depending on stretch and thickness. (the jacket i have now is fairly stretchy, especially after so many years, and not very thick). TBD when the fabric arrives to decide. #sewing #softshelljacket
Fabric arrived. Bonus half a yard! 10-12% stretch based on pulling on it, so not zero percent. #sewing
Oooh, the OTHER direction has 30% stretch (in the direction of the bolt). Now, the question is which way needs to be up/down vs. left right (ie do you need more stretch the wide direction or the tall direction in a jacket?) #softshelljacket #sewing
Checked my existing jacket (which I want this one to replace), and it's the SAME stretch both ways! I accidentally bought a bigger zipper though, so now I have to figure out if I want the bulkier zipper or need to order a less bulky one. Does it matter? #sewing #softshelljacket
Plan:
1. Copy existing jacket pattern to tissue paper. Will use tracing paper...
2. Build a jacket using some scrap stretchy fabric of some sort (not the fancy stuff, not exact stretch, but hopefully close), minus zipper!
3. Check fit.
4. Adjust fit, deconstruct adjusted jacket.
5. Transfer adjusted jacket to pattern
6. Build jacket with new fancy softshell.
Tracing wheel did not work, but because the seams on the jacket I am looking to clone are raised, and it is a black jacket, just traced over it by feel with a sharpie. I will need to add seam allowance outside the edges. #softshelljacket #sewing
Getting the collar length is going to be a bit of a challenge.
And I think the bottom of the jacket probably should be a straight line... I think I flipped the wedge part. I will have to watch that.... I guess I can cut the jacket slightly long and adjust the bottom, however, as it needs to fold back over on itself.
Cut out, no arms. Do not have enough of this same material... will have to hunt for something else in the pile for the arms. #sewing #softshelljacket
Arm pattern. Suddenly, I realize a softshell jacket is just a fancy shirt with a zipper instead of buttons! #softshelljacket #sewing
Discovered rummaging around I had bought a brand new "parka zipper" which would also work on this at a garage sale, though it's 30 inches and I need 24 or 26 inches, I think. It has two zips, so you could theoretically unzip from the bottom (for ventilation?). I'd have to shorten the zipper. #softshelljacket #sewing
Someone's video on shortening a separating zipper.
How to Shorten a Separating Zipper
Uh oh.. sewing accident! This sewing project just became a woodworking/furniture restoration project. Support for one of the legs on the ($5) sewing stool just had a catastrophic failure. Easily fixed. #sewing
Fortunately, I have real wood here. It's green on the other side (kid's toy chest?) But almost perfect. #carpentry
I'd do this by hand, but I am busy to tonight so a quick chop saw effort. Better to use the drill press, but running out of time today. #carpentry #furniturerepair
The old screws are tiny. I forgot to countersink those holes. Swapped them out for bigger screws. ,#furniture
Nearest tool for this. Lol. (Crank Bros. Tool purchased on recommendation of #BikeNite). New furniture supports swapped in! Back to sewing... probably tomorrow. #sewing #furniture
Also glued and clamped some of the cardboard elsewhere. These will probably also have to be replaced. Anyway. Got the back part sewed before the chair collapsed. #sewing
Back to sewing. First time I have tried out these sewing clips. One bad thing, plastic. These will be long broken before the pins I have ever give up the ghost. #sewing
Preliminary fitting without strange triangle pieces, shoulders not yet sewn. Fits... shoulder okay. Will see how this works with wedges sewn in, then add arms. Also, collar needs to be done.. this is the prototype to check my pattern, not the end piece. #sewing #shoftshelljacket
One arm. Fabric difference though, the scrap there is Spandex and stretches more. Armpit are will need some on tbe fly adjustment, and shoulder alignment will have to be done carefully. #sewing #softshelljacket
Armpit underneath looks like a badly constructed tent, ha ha. On the final article, clear I will need to iron and then top stitch everything. Arm pattern is not quite perfect, but this is an area of traditional adjustment anyway. #sewing #softshelljacket
Okay, pretty clear I need more space to accomodate my midsection, lol. Even with stretch, I probably do need some more margin on the front panels... probably towards the rear as someone mentioned here, but maybe a bit more on the front edge to allow for folding over a seam width for the zipper. Arms work well, and length is good even with folded seam. #sewing #softshelljacket
Dan@dank Thanks! That's what I enjoy most about projects. The learning... no matter how the projects come out, lol.
EllenIn Edmonton
Janice in GA@Archergal @dank I love the helpful community here!