Sewing Cold Weather Gear

[Juliegoddess]

>>Suggestion. I would really test out that flat lock before you commit to it. I've rarely seen a flatlock done on a home serger that looks great and can take the abuse that outerwear gets. Now, if you have a coverlock machine, that's a whole different deal. I finally bought one last year, and it's really made a huge difference on how professional things looks and how well they are built.<<

VERY good idea. Yes, I'm going to test out everything. It's highly doubtful that my serger will give a good result. I might just have to have some lumpier seams, but I'm not too worried about it.

Yes, I'd LOVE to have a coverlock...I have two industrial machines now, and just don't have the space for anything else! Most of my designs are done with french seams, so even my serger is rarely used. I suppose if I really got into making activewear, I would CRAVE a coverlock!

Thanks for all the help, ladies! You are wonderful!

[Juliegoddess]

Yes, I got it done, and it was quite easy and went really quick. Some changes I made were: getting rid of the front zippered pockets, adding reflective piping, adding more topstitching, and lengthening the back. This is Jalie 2679, BTW, with a few mods.

I just don't use those zippered front pockets....and I didn't think they would lay very well with this bulkier fabric. I also tended to add topstitching where I thought it would make the garment lay better. Reflective piping was fun, although I wish I would have purchased more. I did discover a way I can add it as a trim, though, as an afterthought, without it needing to go into a seam.

This fabric is gorgeous! It stretches and is so warm...and it fits like a glove!

Now I'd love to wear it out for a ride, but it's 64 degrees right now. Go figure!

~Julie

[Becky]

Julie, that is gorgeous, and I love the pink trim! You are so talented!

[cinnamon_toast]

Wow you did an INCREDIBLE job! I hope you enjoy wearing your creation. I am a seamstress by trade (home dec not apparel) and I am incredibly impressed.

[Irulan]

Very nice. Looks extremely toasty! Did you put pit zips in?

Also, is that double rows of topstiching or did you use a cover stitch for a hem?

[shootingstar]

Looks like a beautiful jacket you sewed there, Julie. Congrats.!

You are a careful tailor/seamstress with the even topstitching. Zippered pockets...I actually intensely dislike such pockets in sticking my hands in and out, much less sew zippered pockets.

Of course there are "buttonhole" pockets, ones that are completed made from the fabric at the lips/edges....real tests of fine tailoring.

I'm sure the jacket will last you a long time.

[Juliegoddess]

Thanks SO much, ladies! I wore it out this afternoon...no wind got through it at ALL! It really wicked moisture very well, too. I knew that I had to be perspiring, but I did not feel moisture on my skin. After taking off the jacket, I did feel the dampness in the fabric though...super cool!

Now...next up is my winter-tights dillema!

Oh, Irulan...I totally forgot about pit zips! I might see if I can add them. They would be "pretty cool". Topstitching is just good-ole-fashion two rows of stitching, 1/4" apart. My serger did perform pretty well, but I didn't ask it to do much more than just finishing edges!

[Owlie]

That is beautiful! Well done! And even better, it functions like you wanted.

[AnnieBikes]

I am super impressed. Looks like a professional job. Where did you get the fabric, or did I miss a post? It really is beautifully sewn..this coming from a "used to sew my own clothes" person, and now a dedicated quilter!

[goldfinch]

I want one too! Seriously, it is very lovely. I know that I could never sew that well, I'm too impatient and have no design sense.

[Jolt]

Wow...that looks GREAT!! I do some sewing, but I don't think I could pull something like that off and have it look so good. I'm impressed!

[Juliegoddess]

WOW! Thanks so much, you guys! I guess 20-something years of sewing does pay off every so often (well, since it is what I do for a living, it pays off for me more often than not!) Just so you guys know, though...I also have my fair share of "flop" projects. I hoped and PRAYED that this would NOT be one of them! haha!

Fabric came from a FANTASTIC place called Fabricline. They used to be Rose City Textiles, and they specialize in technical fabrics for activewear. Their "new and improved" website is a little wonky, and it really takes time to sift through everything, but they have a fabulous selection. I usually start out by ordering a ton of samples from them. They are ten cents a piece, and you can't beat that. My only gripe with them is that since they've launched their "new" website, their prices went WAAYYY up. Fabrics that I had samples of that were around $12 a yard are now $24! I about DIED! I even wrote to them asking what the heck they did, and have not heard a word back from them. Hmmm....however, I won't begrudge them. They are still great.

And Goldfinch...let me tell you, I have VERY little patience! I'm a perfectionist about sewing. When it isn't going well, I've been known to THROW projects across the room! In fact, I almost did with this one. I hated the zippered pockets. I was yelling at my daughter until she cried. 'Twas bad! So I ditched the whole notion of pockets, cut out new fronts, and was glad I did. I still might add one at the center back, though.

Sewing is one of those things that the more you do it, the better you get. Nowadays, clothes are so cheap, it doesn't REALLY save money to sew, so you have to do it for other reasons. However, in this case, I did save some hefty bucks!

[goldfinch]

I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one who yells and throws things in frustration!

[Irulan]

My mom sewed. And she always said that clothing on sale was less expensive than making it. I learned when I was a child, but not that well.

I have a nice sewing machine, a detailed Simplicity 'how to sew' book, and this set that comes with a DVD and very slowly (boring) goes through about 2 hours of basic stitches.

The book is too complicated, and the DVD coma-inducing.

Any suggestion for a project I can do that comes with basic instructions, a pattern, and can remind me how to get started? I can see using the more detailed stuff once I get started, but it's just too much to pick up.

Thanks for the link. I want to try using technical fabric.

My dogs love clothing. The jackets they are wearing in the pictures run about 75 each. On sale for 50. Fleece inside, windstopper on the tops. I can see making them some fleece jackets in exactly the same style. Wouldn't cost much, and you can get good fleece from Walmart.

Ditch the Simplicity book, it's crap. Check your local library for the Singer Sewing Series. Many fabric stores, Adult Ed etc offer beginning sewing classes.

AS for saving money, it's relative. :-)