As you might remember, I have been working on my Motor City Express Jacket, which I started here and here. I received this pattern when I purchased the Craftsy course “Sew Better, Sew Faster: Smart Construction“. (I just love it when the courses I want go on sale!) I am so looking forward to wearing my finished jacket soon! (When our temperatures cool down though – it was terribly hot again Saturday afternoon – 90F or 32C – we are just not used to that!)
Last week, another Linda (of Remake Remodel Recycle) was mentioning in the comments section of my post about using interfacing to put the pattern markings on as I was having difficulty marking my fabric. I couldn’t stop wondering about the lack of instruction in this pattern regarding the use of interfacing on the pocket openings. The pattern instructed to use interfacing around the neck and arm openings and the hem, etc., but not the pocket openings, which I was something I wasn’t used to. Maybe I was missing something.
Then I realized that in the actual Craftsy course video Ms. Pray did spend a lot of time talking about the different kinds of fabric that could be used and whether to interface them or not. So technically, I guess, she did instruct on the use of interfacing.
So I ended up backtracking this week and cut and ironed interfacing on to all my front and back pieces. This then gave me the added bonus of being better able to mark my pocket openings accurately!
Here is the side front pattern piece and the identical piece cut out of interfacing.
Here is my fashion fabric with interfacing, the interfacing marked where my pocket openings were and will also stabilize the pocket openings. I was lucky I didn’t have to rip out the zippers or pocket flaps from my fashion fabric on this piece (or start all over again) as the zippers and pocket flaps were correctly sewn in already, so I only had to pull them through the pocket hole in the interfacing before I fused the interfacing on.
Here again is the use of Wonder Tape to “baste” my zipper to the wrong side of my pocket opening prior to sewing it on with my blind hem foot.
The puzzle is starting to come together. SEVEN zippers I tell you! (that includes the two in the sleeves) There must have been some confusion with this pattern’s instructions too when attaching the long closure zipper, as the pattern came with an insert explaining it again. I think the only confusion was that they stated “the side with the pull” or “the side without the pull” all the time and apparently the side the pull is on is not consistent with all zippers. Something I never really noticed before.
Now all I need (yup! that’s all!) is to serge all my seams, attach my sleeves to my fashion fabric and my lining and “bag” my lining, along with the usual hemming and pressing! Yippee, no buttonholes!
I hope all your projects are going well and I’m looking forward to seeing them soon!
Happy Sewing!
Seven zippers? After making this jacket either you become a zipper expert or you just don’t want to sew any more zippers again in your life :). I think I have the same class but with a different pattern, should make it sometime, how did you find the process till now?
I like Janet Pray’s classes. She always has something useful to say and I love this pattern. It is so different than anything I have already. I especially love how she changes the construction order so there is less jumping from machine to machine or the iron. I hope you enjoy your course too!
I love those Motor City Express Jackets. I had bought a Hoodie in that pattern when the spouse and I vacationed in San Francisco. I could not find anything similar up here. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product. You will have a one-of-a-kind cool jacket!
Yes, aside from the real thing in leather they are hard to find, aren’t they? I guess that’s what I like about sewing – if you want one, make one!
It’s going to look great! And you’re right its good to know you’ve created a “one off” – one of the joys of sewing! Glad you used the interfacing, it should make it all more stable. When reading through your blog I realised I have never used my blind hem foot for stitching on a zip in this way? I always use my zipper foot but your way makes sense and its probably a more stable way of sewing it. Now I need to go and give it a try! 🙂
I used my regular zipper foot for the long zipper in the front opening, but I used my blind hem foot for the pocket zippers because it is the same as topstitching – and when topstitching I use my blind hem foot too. So much easier to get a straight line. (It does take practice to get the blade “unstuck” at the corners though.)
Thanks. I’ll give it a try!
Wow! It’s looking ace!! Can’t wait to see it all finished 🙂
Thank you! It’s coming along slowly!
I am not sure I would have the patience for that many zippers. Good job. I notice that it was overseen by a supervisor….I believe that was Sophie.
Thanks! Yes, that was Sophie! She always has her nose in everything. Simon just wants to lie on everything – he was lying elsewhere at the time!
this is looking lovely… glad you were able to go back and add the interfacing without to much back tracking!!
Thank you! Just lucky I stopped when I did. It was just bugging me too much to continue!
This looks already beautiful!
Thanks! Hopefully it still looks good when finished! 😄
You’re very patient, especially given how hot it’s been out in your neck of the woods. All those zippers and the heat would have driven me bonkers! Well done, Linda.
Thank you! I am not fond of the heat, it’s not usual for us. I do wish we had thunder/lightening though! We don’t get that here, like you do. Thanks for reading/commenting!
It looks to me as though someone was eyeing your lovely pieces of fabric, perhaps considering if they would make a nice bed. My cat jumps on my sewing table when I’m cutting things out. Hilarious. Your jacket is almost done! Yahoo! Seven zippers and you’re still standing! Can’t wait to see it!
Yes, only another cat owner would understand! You can’t turn your back on them. When I leave my serger my cats try to eat the threads off the spools! I am pretty happy with it so far, but I’m taking it slowly so I don’t mess it up!
I bought that class too! I’m out of the size range for the pattern, but I found a similar Burda pattern. I need to find some time to go through the pattern with Jane’s instructions. She’s a good and approachable teacher! Your zippers are looking great! Fusible tape makes zippered pockets so easy! Using the interfacing to mark the pocket openings is a genius move, too. It is always so frustrating to mark everything so meticulously only to have it covered over with the interfacing. What a fun stylish jacket you will have!
Thank you! Between courses and tips from other bloggers I have learnt so much over the past couple of years. Remember on her pattern and in her course, she gets it muddled when talking about the “zipper with the pull” and the “zipper without the pull”, so listen carefully before you do it!
Thanks for pointing that out to me. I’ll be on the alert!