Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Biker Jacket Blazer - Burda 7_2013 102


Its been so long since I blogged, I’ll bet you thought the contest put me off sewing forever.  Not at all.  I started sewing a jacket in early Nov, but it  took forever to complete. Lots of different reasons. Holidays,  business trips  that kept me away from my sewing machine  and  required traveling on the weekend to be on site early Monday morning.  Boy, do I resent it when work encroaches on my precious weekends.  And,  oh yes, some sewing mishaps and sourcing issues.

 The jacket  is from Burda  July 2013 –102  The full sewing course instructions are included in the issue.



The jacket is described as" biker jacket meets blazer". It has some biker jacket details, but they are rather weak.  Burda made it in  “ natte” because it was “ soft and breathable.” I have never heard of natte so I looked it up – it is more a weave than a fabric. A basket weave made with contrasting colors in the warp and weft; also  a fabric with such a weave woven usually from silk, rayon, and cotton. 

 My fabric was very different,  a black lace bonded to grey felted wool blend,  purchased at JoAnn Fabrics. The face  is 60% Cotton 40% Polyester, the base fabric: 40% Wool 60% Polyester


 
 
   It all over the internet. Vogue Patterns made a cape from it.


 One of the participants in Marcy Tilton’s Coat Sew Along  (no name provided in Marcy's post ) made a suit from it. Which I love.




  And fellow blogger Sigrid   has a lovely blue background version that I like even better  than my fabric. I can't wait to see what she sews from hers.

 I chose the pattern because I thought the edge binding would be a good finish for the heavier double sided fabric and  give me the option of wearing the jacket lapels open, with the contrasting gray showing.

I made a number of changes to the pattern. The lapels are single layer, not faced as per the instructions. I rounded the corners of the shoulder and pocket flaps to echo the lapel's rounded style.   I eliminated the shoulder seam in the shoulder flaps to get rid of extra layers of fabric at the shoulder sleeve point. The pattern directions called for double welt pockets with the pocket flap sewn under the top welt. The welts were to be 3/16 “ wide. I know the limits of my abilities and 3/16 welts in just about any fabric is one of them. I went with a single welt pocket with flap, where there is one bottom welt.  I made the welt 3/8" and of  the same lighter weight fabric used for the binding.

The jacket required  5 " open ended zippers in each sleeve. Specialty zippers are impossible to find at local stores. I was thrilled when I found two in my stash.  It was only after inserting  them  and sewing up the sleeves, that I realized they were dark navy blue, not black and one had silver teeth, the other gold. Was I wearing my glasses that day? Out they came, replaced by two black 5 " purse zippers with closed ends. All I could find.  I  cut the ends open with my  husband's dikes ( portmanteau of "Diagonal CutterS" pronounced "dikes")  Now if my electrician/ husband ever asks me to hand him the dikes, I know what he is asking for. There was a bit of confusion when I described my zipper issue and he told me what tool to get from his toolbox.

Closed End Zipper



Snip!

 The jacket is fastened with snaps. Since they would show when the lapel was open, I thought about using covered snaps, black on the fabric face and gray on the back. But I hate fiddling with the home sewer  method of covering snaps with fabric. You know the "cut circles of fabric, work a running stitch around edge of circle, gather .....etc."  Recently  I was putting away a summer jacket with covered snaps, and noticed that each side of the snap had two parts, like a covered button.






 I searched the internet for snaps like this. "A cover your own, with snap on backs" No luck. Lots of already covered snaps though.  If you know of a source for  no sew, cover your own types of snaps,  please let me know. I ended up going with black metal snaps.







 I have had no time now to take pictures of the jacket on me. I will try and do it in early Jan. Right now I need to get off my computer and wrap some presents.

I wish everyone joy filled holidays and  I will be back in the new year!

22 comments:

  1. Just gorgeous ~ your beautiful sewing skills are definitely showcased in this jacket ... J

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  2. Of course I love the fabric since I own some of it myself...but I really love the details of this jacket. The details that make it so distinguishable and so you. Glad you've been sewing and Happy Holidays to you! I'm sure that your 2014 will be just as interesting sewingwise!

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  3. This jacket is lovely, and the choice in fabric looks cool in this style. Sadly I have not come across any covered snap kits either.

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  4. I've been hankering for a biker jacket for a while. Now you've gone and made such a beautiful one. I love it too!

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  5. Great jacket, Audrey. Glad to have you back to blogging.

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  6. Great jacket and lovely fabric. I've admired this pattern and its great to see it sewn up. Double sided fabric is an excellent idea!
    -sewingelle

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  7. Its lovely Audrey, the details and moto styling with the lace bonded fabric looks great.

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  8. Audrey, this is just gorgeous! And I haven't event noticed this pattern in the magazine! Love it, and I love the lace, it's such an unexpected fabric for a motor jacket.

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  9. Wow, you didn't let any grass grow under your sewing machine after the those intense contest weeks. Love, love, love this jacket. You did a terrific job of combining fabric and pattern for the tough but feminine look. Merry Christmas to you as well!

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  10. I thought that was the same sort of fabric as I have, and then see you mention it. I like your jacket very much, I'm still undecided what I will make of my fabric. Will decide after these busy days. Merry Christmas Audrey!

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  11. It's BEAUTIFUL... Love every single detail... Great job!

    Merry Christmas, Audrey!

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  12. Beautiful jacket. . Love...love the detail. Merry Christmas.

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  13. What a beautiful interpretation of this jacket - pretty but also sophisticated .

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  14. Love the lace with the moto style, very classy and cheeky, gorgoeous!

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  15. A great jacket even despite all those setback... and what amazing fabric! I can't help out on the snap kits as it's not something I've ever needed to used. I'll keep an eye out for them though! Hop you had a wonderful Christmas :)

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  16. Great combination of fabric and pattern. Lovely.

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  17. Saw you in Threads Magazine. Such lovely work!

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  18. The jacket looks so YOU! Lovely job. I'm about to start a 1960s jacket with my precious Italian wool I got in Rome. I hope it turns out as well as yours!

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  19. Great moto/biker jacket. Love the way you used the fabric for this jacket!

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  20. I believe those covered snaps are called snap buttons.

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