Made: toddler jacket (Ottobre “Veikko” pattern)
Project Notes: I procrastinated starting this project because it looked like it might be hard. I was intimidated by the hood and separating zipper (a first). However once I figured out how to attach the hood, all went swimmingly.
It was easy and fun and a really nice pattern. It calls for a woven bias binding to hide the neckline SAs on the inside, which is a nice touch and a great place to stick a sweet piece of contrast fabric - I used aqua with white polka dots, mostly because I had some. The pockets are left with raw edges and call for double rows of topstitching. As my main fabric was a darker grey, I opted for a bright red for the topstitching, also to match the little sushi fish I appliqued to the front left.
Mistakes/Complications: I struggled with attaching the hood - it was the right length to pin exactly to the body of the jacket. But then how would the zipper attach? With help from a member of the Ottobre sewing group on yahoo, I learned that I needed to match up the ends of the hood with the CF seamline. It took me awhile to understand that meant the seamline , right before the allowance which the zipper attaches to - in my case right before the 1cm allowance on my CF pieces. I only pinned with barely noticeable ease and I was all set.
My zipper was too long, and there is not much info online for shortening a separating zipper. I cut the zipper so that it would fold over the top edges by about 1/2″. I did have to stitch, rip, and stitch a few times to get the stitching distance even on both sides of the zipper. I do a little too much adjusting the needle position as I go without noting what I do so that I can be consistent. I also forgot to line the pockets, I just spaced out. But I think it’s fine that way.
Notes for Next Time: Make sure the markings for the hood’s outer fabric extend a couple of inches. By the time I needed those marks they were sewn away into the SA!
Tags: jacket, knitfabric, Ottobre