Zipping up the Zippy Jacket

I’m so honoured to be taking part in the Pattern Parcel Inspiration tour! You can read below for the official blurb of what Pattern Parcel is all about but basically all profits from the sales are donated to Donors Choose where the money goes to help buy supplies for schools in need. Pretty awesome! So far year to date, they have raised nearly $10,000! 



Lucky me, I have a nephew that lives close by so I was able to take part  in the boys parcel. For my stop on the tour I chose to sew up the Zippy Jacket by Blank Slate Patterns. OK, well, my sister chose the pattern because I asked her for her favourite one of the bunch
(it was in her top two that she wanted, I think I’ll make the other for his birthday). 

This was my first time sewing a Blank Slate Pattern and my second or third time sewing for my nephew. I was trying to think up a way to change up the pattern to make it more personal and unique but I’m used to sewing things with flowers and hearts and was having a hard time coming up with the ideas for a boy. I’m going to have to work on that.

Yep, they’re too long, and yes, the bottom edge is a little wonky.

My nephew will be turning 4 in a couple months, but he’s always been on the stocky (not chubby) side. He’s slightly above average height for his age but has a wide chest. Based on the measurement chart he fell into the low end for the 5T/6T in the chest. The jacket fits nicely through the chest, and it’s roomy for wearing over a shirt but the sleeves are a little long on him so I need to adjust those.

Unfortunately, the kiddo was leaving on vacation so I only had this one chance for pics and fitting. I’ll be cutting about 1.5″ off the sleeves. I think for the next one I will cut the shoulders at the 3T/4T width with the chest at the 5T/6T width.

The pattern also suggests using medium to heavy weight interlock but I couldn’t find any I liked (in the colours requested) so I went with a sweatshirt fleece that has some stretch. I think it worked out great (and it sewed so nicely!)

Uh, how did I totally miss that thread until this post went up??

I also forgot about buying matching thread, so I’ve got some awesome grey stitch detailing going on 😉 At least it matches the contrast fabric, right?

Pattern Details:

• Sizes 18m to 8 (paired in every other size: 18m/2T. 3T/4T, and so on)
• Sizing chart and fabric requirement chart included
• Instructions included on how to print and assemble the pattern
• 9 pages of instructions with clear photos; Pattern pieces are nested and in black and white, but lines are easy to distinguish
• Intermediate level pattern: I think an adventurous beginner could tackle this, but the steps are not super detailed and assume some sewing knowledge.
• Quick project, I was able to complete it in about 3-4 hours (including some interruptions from the littles)

Fabric Details:

• The main is purple organic sweatshirt fleece purchased from Fabric.com 
• The ribbing is upcycled from an old sweater of mine. (Hope you don’t mind nephew!)

And for the fun of it, here are some more pics:

And totally not pattern related but how great is that shirt? 😛

So what is Pattern Parcel all about? Read below for the details on all the patterns included in this parcel and to see the list of tour participants!

Parcel #4 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, August 22 casa crafty || Lulu & Celeste || Keep Calm and Carrion

Saturday, August 23 Max California || Amanda Rose

Sunday, August 24 little betty sews

Monday, August 25 Kadiddlehopper || Radiant Home Studio

Tuesday, August 26 La Pantigana || Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts || Friends Stitched Together

Wednesday, August 27 Make It Perfect || Modern Handmade || GYCT Designs

Thursday, August 28 Needle and Ted || Mae & K || Mimi’s Mom

Friday, August 29 Pienkel || Once Upon a Sewing Machine || Friends Stitched Together

Saturday, August 30 FABulous Home Sewn || Gray Skies || The Crazy Tailor

Sunday, August 31 Nine Stitches || Max California || Oliver’s Fancy || Friends Stitched Together

Monday, September 1 a happy stitch || lady and the gents || Our Family Four || Swoodson Says

Tuesday, September 2 verypurpleperson || Things for Boys || The Crazy Tailor

Wednesday, September 3 Our Family Four || Rebekah Sews || a happy stitch

Thursday, September 4 Sew a Straight Line || la inglesita || Made by Sara || Knot Sew Normal

Friday, September 5 Knot Sew Normal || Gracious Threads || Sofilantjes || Max California

Ula writes for Lulu&Celeste

Link up parties you might find me at:

Friday Favs Party, Inspire Us Thursdays, Tuesday Sews, We Did it Wednesday, You Made it and ♥ it!, Create Link Inspire @ Nap-time Creations, Worthwhile Wednesdays, #Sew4Me, Inspiration Monday Party, Craft Lover’s Link Party, SNAP, Threading My Way, Sew Many Ways