I CAN FEEL THE EYES UPON ME . . . .
Friday night was another Friday Night With Friends, so I got busy with my pliers and zipper repair kit and put new top stops on my partner’s fleece cycling jersey zipper.
Oh, how I labored over that zipper!
I wasn’t able to find a repair kit for the kind of big chunky zipper I’ve got in here (I don’t know the correct name for this type, but it’s the kind that’s labeled as a “parka” zipper), so I ordered the #5 kit and hoped for the best. As I feared, the only way to get the stops on was to put them parallel to the edge of the tape, rather than parallel to the teeth as they usually are. They seem secure enough, though, and I sewed a stop with thread below them just to be sure.
I am proud of how that zipper came out, though, and that the collar seams match up when the zip is zipped up–probably the first time I’ve ever really managed that. Hand-basting the zipper in made the difference, though removing basting from fleece is not a task designed to make you happy. 😛
The pattern I used is Jalie 2216, and this is the third version of that jersey. For this one, he wanted a warmer, thicker fabric, so we chose Joann’s “Blizzard” fleece, which is really nice stuff. Dense, thick (but not so thick that it’s hard to cut or sew), and very soft. (No, I am not a paid spokesbot for Joann’s, but my opinions can totally be purchased with fabric. Call me!)
He also wanted the back pocket extended a bit on both sides so that he wouldn’t have to reach so far to access it.
BTW, getting better results when photographing black things by putting them on a darker background, overexposing them, then darkening the pic as needed. Would be even better with a model in it, but he is busy napping at the moment.
The ends of the pocket are supposed to be enclosed in the side back seams there, but I’ve extended them a few inches and just sewed the raw edges down.
He also asked me to change the way the elastic is attached to the wrists of the jersey so that it would be fully enclosed. Jalie’s method for attaching elastic is to have you zig zag it directly onto the raw edge of the fabric on the wrong side; then you fold the raw edge under and zig zag again. The problem is that the edge of the elastic inevitably sticks out a bit and can irritate your skin. So I simply added 1/2″ to the sleeve length and folded the edge under twice before zig zagging.
I’m very happy to say that this version of the jersey came out infinitely better than the first one, and much better than the second. The recipient loves it, I’m happy with my work on it, I actually got it done BEFORE the season in which it will be worn, AND I had enough black fleece left over to use it for the hood on my Hello Kitty pullover. WIN.
Also, I finished the pullover yesterday–I AM WEARING IT NOW–and will get pics for you ASAP.
SO VERY FABULOUS, my friends.
FAB. U. LOUS.
Have a very excellent week, folks, and I will yell at you again soon.
STH
Living in Color 
That’s a great idea extending the back pocket. Well done. xox
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
It turned out wonderfully. Isn’t great when he likes want you’ve done.
LikeLike
Thank you! I find sewing for other people stressful, but it’s worth it when they’re happy with the results. 🙂
LikeLike
Way to go! The zip insertion looks so professional. It’s nice when you see things getting better each time. Your partner is one lucky recipient. I wish someone would make a me a fleece for running! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! He likes the jersey so much that he’s been wearing it like a regular jacket, and keeps telling me how warm it is.
Sometime when you aren’t working on a hundred other things, you should make yourself a jacket! Have you seen this pattern from Greenstyle? http://greenstylecreations.com/products/sundance-jacket-pdf-sewing-pattern-in-sizes-xxs-to-3xl. Some interesting details on that (I keep drooling over it, though I don’t really have a need for it.) In their Facebook group the runners recommend making it with Supplex (whatever that is?) rather than regular fleece, though.
LikeLike
That’s fantastic! Thanks. I really should do this over the summer. I was just in a running store today, as my workout wardrobe is in desperate need of an update. I was not impressed with the quality-price ratio so it occurred to me that I am stupid to not sew my own. I have loved everything you have sewn for your partner. Thank you for the link. I will quite seriously put it on the list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice work! I do like the extended pocket. And good thinking on doing the elastic, so that it doesn’t bother him. Looking forward to seeing what else you have up your sleeve. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you–what a kind comment! Well, I’m replying to comments this evening because I’m going to write a new post, so more fleece adventures are on the way!
LikeLike
I found your blog from your comment on mine, and I love it! You have inspired me to try color blocking to use smaller pieces of fabric. In fact I have just the project in mind. And I had no idea there was such a thing as a zipper repair kit. My partner might be able to wear his cherished Carhart jacket again…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! This comment made me happy–so thrilled to inspire someone to try something new! Thanks for stopping by, Shelly!
LikeLike