Please see my tutorial for making the Wonky Bear Jacket. I really believe it’s a beginner friendly pattern and I’m sure you can do it!
- Prepare the pocket
Add seam allowances to the pocket pattern piece, I usually add 1 cm to sides and bottom and 2 cm to the top. Cut middle piece out and once you cut your pockets mark it inside with chalk. Serge top edge.
Press with iron seam allowances to the inside. The piece that you’ve already cut out will help you with that. Simply align it to the previously marked edges.
Topstitch top edge of your pocket and after that you can stitch it to the jacket (sides and bottom only).
2. Shoulder seams
Stitch your shoulder seams. If your fabric is very stretchy use clear elastic.
3. Get your self facing ready!
Iron on your interfacing to the self facing. Width should be 2cm + your seam allowance. I’ve cut mine 1mm less so there is 1mm offset from the edge. That way it won’t show through on the other side. So 2cm+4mm. Finish edge with serger or overcast stitch. Don’t be tempted fold it and stitch it just yet 🙂
4. Time for the neckband
Fold your neckband lengthwise and press.
Now this is the trickiest part. You want your neckband to finish with fold line. And you want it gradually reducing in width or you could make a sharper bend so it looks more a bomber jacket. I quite like this smooth transition. At the very end width of the neckband should be equal to your seam allowance. Best way is to try it before cutting. Just baste 3cm of it, fold over and check. Do the same with the other side so both sides will be equal.
This is how it will look like (or similarly) 🙂 Don’t be scared ofexperimenting
Fold top of the self facing and following your seam allowance at the top, stitch it to neckline only.
When you turn it you should see a beautiful corner, well done 🙂
5. Sleeves
Stitch your sleeves in place and press.
6. Side seams
Stitch sides together with sleeve with one seam.
7. Hemming
I prefer to do hemming first. I believe corners look neater as there will be no raw edges anywhere but you could do it later.
8. Stitch self facing to the front
Now it’s the time to stitch your facing to the front. Use stretch stitch of course.
Once you’ve done that all that there’s left is to add your buttons or fasteners 🙂
Wasn’t too bad, was it? 🙂
