The Vinyl Frontier

I admit it: sometimes the blog title comes first and then I write the post to match it.  I think you'll agree, "The Vinyl Frontier" beats first runner-up, "The Vinyl Solution." 

I have not made a whole lot of progress on my vinyl python print jacket.  I'm finding the fabric really fiddly to work with and not much fun.  I spent way to much time yesterday trying to make decent-looking front patch pockets.  But they never looked quite right and seemed to take away from the print, so  I ditched them.







Instead, I'm opting for two diagonal zippered pockets.  I'm hoping I don't regret it since I'll have to cut through the vinyl.  I bought these zippers today at Sil Thread.



I also bought a reversible zipper.  It's not two-way -- they didn't have any two-way reversible zippers but I'm assuming such things exist.





If nothing else, I'm learning a lot about zippers and zipper pulls!

The sleeves are attached.  Since vinyl doesn't ease, I had to cut the armhole a little deeper to fit the slightly larger sleeve cap.   Here's the armsyce seam, not yet pressed (you can press this vinyl with a presscloth).





Here's how things look so far.  The fit is fine; the sleeves will need to be shortened roughly 2" and I may take 1" off the length before adding the knit waistband.  I wouldn't want the jacket much longer than it appears here.









For the rib knit trim, I'm using pattern pieces from a 1970's Simplicity men's jacket pattern, 9924.  I haven't stitched the rib knit on yet though.





And that's it.  I don't think I'll be able to finish this over the weekend, but hopefully sometime next week.  And then I think I'll put vinyl behind me of a long, long while.

Have a great day, everybody!

Oh, before I forget: Karolyn Kiisel, author of Draping, The Complete Course, will be giving a presentation at the Fashion Institute of Technology bookstore on Tuesday, November 4th @ 6 pm, and it's open to the public (227 West 27th St.).  I plan to attend and I hope you will too, if you're local and have an interest.  (She'll be demonstrating actual draping techniques.)