My Final Post of 2019 - Jean Jacket

In October I made my niece a jean jacket and love it so much that I wanted to make myself one similar to it.  I searched for jean jackets and decided on the Stacie Jean Jacket from Style Arc.  I really loved the shaping of this jacket and I love that Style Arc patterns fit me with minor adjustments.

So how did it go so horribly wrong to the point I was in tears and almost threw it in the trash?  It was all me and my mistakes.

Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket Front

Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket Back

How I Did It

The problems I experienced had nothing to do with the pattern - it was all me.  The first problem was the fabric.  It was a 10 or 11 oz denim that I got from my local fabric store.  I loved it in the store but once I pre-washed it (as I do with all my fabrics) I could tell the quality of the denim was horrible.  I have decided that I will start getting my clothing fabric from online resources.

Once I got over the disappointment of the fabric I got really excited again about sewing this jacket.  I wanted to stitch as much as possible before starting the top stitching.  I stitched the flaps, collar, the front sections, and the back sections together.

Front

Front Flaps and Collar

Back

Next I tackled the embroidery on the front and back yokes.  I used embroidery designs from Florals II by Laurel Burch and Kaleidoscope Alphabet.

Left Front Yoke

Right Front Yoke

Back Yoke

To do the top stitching I used my Janome HD9 and tried for the first time using the narrow foot for the top stitching and quickly realized I did not have as much control and stability as with the regular foot.  I decided to continue using it because I was determined to get control (I never did).

The next issue was the thread color.  I used a 12 wt Sulky Cotton Blendable thread.  Because of the color blend it looked liked there were thread breaks.  I decided to continue using it because I did not want to rip out top stitching. 

At this point I was getting frustrated but continued on.  I stitched the front yokes to the fronts and was ready to put on the front facings and realized the front facings were about 2.5" too short - that should have been my first clue that I had done something wrong since this was a Style Arc pattern but I pressed on.

I re-cut the front facings longer and stitched them on to the fronts.  When I got ready to put on the collar and it did not fit properly it finally hit me that maybe I had done something wrong.

Back

Right Front Yoke Stitched on Left Front

Left Front Yoke Stitched on Right Front

Of course at this point a lot of top stitching had already been done.  I realized I would have to remove a lot of top stitching, re-cut the yokes, the front bands, and redo the embroidery because if I tried to rip out the stitching it would fray beyond the stitch line (the seams had already been trimmed).  I'll admit tears started flowing - not a lot though😢.  I considered throwing it in the trash, but I just couldn't do it - I loved the style of the pattern.  I decided to walk away from it for a bit.

In the meantime I sewed a couple of charity projects (still have yet to post) but this jacket was always in the back of my mind.

I finally came back to it because I didn't want the year to end with another UFO (I still have one).  But by this time I just wanted it done - my heart was no longer in it.

I re-cut the front yokes, used the original front facings (glad I hadn't trashed them), re-embroidered the yokes, and redid the top stitching.

Next I added the collar, waistband, sleeves, buttonholes, and buttons.  I shortened the sleeves 2" (should have shortened them 3") and the place I chose to shorten them was the wrong place.  Trying to get the sleeve hemmed was a nightmare.  Again I considered trashing the jacket.

I had to keep telling myself to press on even though I knew my stitching was horrible and the jacket would not be "perfect".

See Puckers on Sleeve

Conclusion

I love the pattern but I hate my fabric and my sewing.  I made so many mistakes in my sewing.  My jacket is definitely wearable and I have already gotten compliments on it.

Initially I had decided I would not make another, but I want to use the "right" fabric and make another.

The jacket I made for my niece is some of the best sewing I have done and I found out recently that she does not like it so I am re-gifted it to someone who will wear it and appreciate it.  I was so disappointed I did so well on my nieces jacket and so poorly on mine.

Oh well, a new year is on the horizon and a new opportunity to improve my sewing.