Learning to Sew Part 3: Polar

A new post, a journey, a glorious new day
But upon our path a Sphinx blocking our way
To pass thou must answer this riddle from me
Penguin, Polar Bear, Parrot,which belongs nought in the three
Right hand confident with title says, “Parrot” with zeal
Flash go the talons, blood spurting like a cut from steel
Left Hand trembling and shaking, speaking softly, “Polar Bear”
Crack! bones, tendons breaking, pain under Sphinx glare
Head, all that was left, groaned “Penguin” with great care
Neck severed, the head was moaning, what was our err?
Upon the pieces Sphinx gazed, frightful sight for the ladies
“Twas your fate not the answer” for I am no Sphinx, but Hades!

Presenting Learning to Sew Part 3: Polar Edition

It has been some time since I posted Part 2. In truth, I finished Polar Edition a few days after Burlap but have been delayed writing this post. I had a lot of fun making this jacket. It was also really COOL to wear it ice skating and in front of a ton of people. The whole affair was a true pleasure…

Result: Rag Jacket V3: Polar Edition

Shivering in an Igloo

Just like every snowflake is unique, so is every pattern? Hmmm wait a moment. Every snowman starts with a handfull of snow just like a Rag Jacket? Wait, wait, wait that’s not right. Every sewing project is like a snowball: doesn’t look so good in full sunlight…. hmm maybe. As you can see I am really trying to make this snow themed. But mayhaps my prose is, how should I say, ICE COLD? I enjoyed using the pattern for Rag Jacket V2 Burlap Edition but wanted to try out new patterns. I found a COOL pattern from a company called Green Pepper titled “Polar Jacket” hee hee. I thought it would be fun to have a Polar themed post as Winter comes ever forward.

Creeping around the Fabric aisle of Michaels I held my thermometer to the fabrics looking for a nice cool one. Truth be told I bought a real funky one (you will have to wait until V4) to see it. I did not remain with my tail between my legs though and was soon back. I found a heavy weight cotton fabric that had navy patterning throughout that reminded me of some type of snowflake design. I was also reminded of those so-called “luxury” brands that love to have their little peasant wowwing patterns (think Burberry and Louis Vitton). Out of the way Bernard Arnault, there is a new Big Cheese (or should I say Big Baguette) in town…

Here’s a hint of it on the reverse side:

The Emperors’ favourite FOOL

I had a idea of a new method of attaching the navy lining to the outer shell of this Rag Jacket. In the past Rag Jacket I struggled to attach the lining and once attached the seam allowance and other threads poked out making the whole thing look unprofessional.

This time I thought to invert the attachment. I planned to attach both “good” sides together with the lining outside. This may be difficult for you to visualize (I know it was hard for me and I was the one doing it!). Basically, I wanted to attach the whole jacket together inverse, while leaving a hole at the bottom back of jacket that I could pull everything out of and correctly invertly invert it back to normal.

Sadly, I failed to visualize and test this. I was so confident it would work that I sewwed everything together. When trying to pull the right side out I realized this would not work at all, the sleeves, for example look below, when pulled out do not work correctly. Instead of an opening the lining keeps going and there is no way to fix any of it without taking it all apart…

Thread ripping
It was rough and disheartening taking this Rag Jacket almost completely apart. I had double stiched and added many finishing details that made the seam ripping an uneasy task.

It took me over an hour to remove all the mistakes I had done. The seam allowance was in poor shape after all the additions and removes. This likely made the jacket fit in a tighter way.

Short sleeves highlight my watch

The width of most fabrics at Michaels is usually 44 inches (111 cm) which makes for more unfortunate design choices and pattern cutouts. I don’t know much about pattern making and sewwing, but assume there is a reason the general standard is 150 cm.

What this means for this Rag Jacket is the sleeves will be a bit shorter than most and have a little extra unexpected information ;)

A Broken needle on a broken record

When confronting the every pestilent collar attachment I snapped the needle on my machine. It went flying after aching and groaning while being forced to munch through almost 6 layers of fabric (2 of those being heavy wool).

At the time it was the evening and I dreading having to adventure into the dark unknown of monsters.

I wanted to get this project done though, so donning my cape and grabbing my cane I threw open the door.

I loaded up Google Maps inputted Michaels and speed off. I’ve been to many different Michaels in past Month and thought this was a simple different one. I arrived at a Mall and looked for a spot among the rows and rows of steel to park.

Dreading the florescent glow and smell of cheap plastic I headed in searching for my goal, eager to complete this mission.

I stumbled around the building bumping and attempting to trip a few people on their phones walking along the long streches of Mall hallways. Searching for a map or glowing MICHAELS sign I was left wanting.

Eventually I used my phones GPS to find the general location and then came upon it.

A Michael but not the one that I was searching for…

I had enough time left in the night to change course and head to a familar friend. I picked up a pack of needles and heavy duty needles.

Hand stiching

After all the tribulations I mostly finished this whole project. The collar attachment went OK but I noticed the lining could be folded down in the inside of the jacket for a better look.

Here is my first attempt at Hand stitching lining to collar/back of jacket.

Ice House

I wore this jacket at the ice house in my area. It was a ton of fun ice skating in it.

The people at this Ice House are great and friendly. I have many happy memories as a child going to this Ice House with friends to have fun and break rules.

We got up to many exciting things here: from skating as fast as we could and then sliding to stealing a puck and doing all sorts of stuff in the rink with it. From what I remember the employees had to stop us several times. This building has been an important part of my life. I am quite glad it is still around and hope it will continue far in the future.

I plan to continue my journey with Rag Jacket V4

The Result (Again)