Raglan Sleeve Fleece Jacket

www.surefitdesigns.blogspot.com

What am I doing on hot summer days sewing with cozy fleece?  Making a raglan sleeve bomber-style jacket to wear to the cold group exercise room at our gym.  I'm always cold particularly during my yoga classes and I've wanted to sew this ages ago but could never seem to find the days to do it.

It's done...it's cozy...it's comfortable and warm.

If you're interested in drawing a raglan sleeve from your Sure-Fit Designs Dress Kit bodice blueprint, just follow the directions from Fashion Leaflet #1 for Raglan Sleeve Designing.  Just click here - it's an easy download for just $1.49.  This particular raglan sleeve is called a one-piece raglan even though it has the shoulder dart.  A two-piece raglan sleeve splits the sleeve open to the sleeve hem and consequently conceals the shape of the shoulder dart in the seaming.

I wanted a bomber-style of jacket, so here are the modifications I made to the pattern:
1. Drop the CF neck line 5/8".
2. Drop and widen the bodice underarm 5/8".
3. Drop and widen the sleeve underarm 5/8".
4. Continue the extra side seam width (from widening the underarm) down to the hem level.
5. Add ribbing 2 3/4" wide at hip level and to finish the sleeve 'cuff''.
6. Add a curved, patch-style of pocket and finished the opening with 1" wide ribbing.

7. Use the CoverStitch machine to topstitch significant seams like the raglan, the bust dart, the shoulder dart and to attach the pocket to the jacket.

8. Then finished it off with an exposed zipper at center front and used the Mandarin Collar pattern from the Sure-Fit Designs Collar Collection to complete the neck edge.

The fit is comfortable over a regular T-Shirt, but if I wanted to wear it over top of something heavier (like a sweatshirt), I'd recommend widening the underarm approximately another 1/2" (1.3 cm) and lowering the underarm an additional 5/8" (1.6cm).  It all depends on how bulky the garment is that is being worn underneath.

Happy fitting and sewing!

UK Connection

An avid SFD seamstress from the UK has been loving, using and sharing her SFD experiences.

Jan's primary focus has been on working with the Shirt Kit master patterns, extending her wardrobe with comfortable T's and casual shirts.  She's teamed these up with her SFD Jeans, which she is extremely pleased with...and you can see why.

Jan sent a number of photos and has given permission to show all of you.  So here we go...

Jan simply did not like the bulk created by the collar with stand (on the left).  She removed it and chose a simple mandarin collar to finish the neck edge.  Doesn't she just have a loveliest of smiles?

And one to go - this comfortable brown & orange striped T-Shirt...

And, let's look at her excellent stitching on the jeans pocket...

Well done Jan!  And thanks so much for sharing your Sure-Fit Designs experiences with your sewing group.

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!

Whew...It's all done! Let's Sew (easy) Collars!

'What's all done?' you ask.  The last 3 months of 2013 producing the Master Pattern Collar Collection, the Fifth Edition Dress Kit Instruction book, and a web site face-lift kept me off the streets and out of trouble!

First - the Master Pattern Collar Collection has been added to the Dress Kit master patterns.  Now it's very simple to draw collars for your bodice neckline.  This Collar Collection is now part of the Fifth Edition Dress Kit.  Side 1 gives you the collar shapes.  Side 2 gives you detailed instruction on how to use and draw your personal shape.

 

I know you're going to love working with these collar patterns.

Here's a short video introducing the collection.  

After you've watched the video, I encourage you to comment, 'like' and/or subscribe to the surefitdesigns YouTube channel.  You'll receive immediate notification when a new video is published.  Also, please share this with your sewing buddies on your FaceBook page, sewing blog or forum.  One of my 2014 goals is to increase our SFD subscribers so I'm asking for your help to  'spread the word'.

Second - the Dress Kit Instruction book has been expanded from 48 to 52 pages.  The Fifth edition now has new designs and instructions for the set-in cap sleeve, the two-part sleeve (used primarily in tailored jackets), the funnel neckline design and a really pretty and comfortable high/low hemmed swing top...along with other instruction updates and clarifications.

To see a quick video explaining the Fifth Edition Dress Instruction book, watch below.  (Sorry...the video is not embedded in this blog.  For some strange reason this blogger software can't find the video, even though it is definitely on YouTube.  So the next best thing is to click on this link and watch it on the web page.  http://www.surefitdesigns.com/WhatsNew.html

If you would like to add either (or both) the Collar Collection or Fifth Edition Dress Kit Instruction book to your SFD kits and supplies, please just click here.  http://www.surefitdesigns.com/WhatsNew.html

Third - and last but not least, the main surefitdesigns.com website has undergone a face lift!  The Home Page has been totally transformed to make it easier for you to get to where you want to go.  Now you'll see descriptive icons to take you to their respective pages.  You'll see images like the following:

Fit & Sew Retreat

I hope you find it easier to select what you're looking for.  Once you've taken a browse around SureFitDesigns.com, I would appreciate your comments and feedback.  We want this to be a better experience for you in obtaining the information and getting to where you want to go quickly.  Everyone has opinions about what they like and don't like, so please leave a comment on this blog - or if you can't get the comment box to work - just sent me an email to info@surefitdesigns.com.   I seriously want your feedback - all kudos and constructive criticisms regarding the website are welcome.

Kindly,

Glenda