False Start: Rigel Bomber

I declared my love for the Papercut Patterns Rigel Bomber after seeing Sophie's amazing spotty one on CirqueduBebe and I have just now seen another super version pop up on Jolies Bobines instagram feed. The thing that struck me was how polished they look and neat on the inside. Really neat.

So, with the fabric I won in Gabrielle's giveaway, I started dreaming of a spotty bomber. I traced and cut and marked and then, oh dear, the first thing to make is the welt pockets.  FAIL.  It's not so much that they are bad - which they are - but I could iron them within an inch of their lives and probably get away with it. It's the inside of the jacket where the pockets are. Urgh. They just look messy.  Really messy and I am only showing the less awful one which hasn't been finished. How have the others done it so it looks so schmick?  What's the trick?  When/how do you overlock the pockets - before or after?
Untitled
Disheartened and knowing that my dreamed of spotty bomber was destined for the scrap heap, I continued to sew it up just to see what the sizing was like.  Now I really just want there to be a Rigel Bomber Sewalong that shows me how to get a really professional finish on the inside.

Failing that do you have any tricks for making a lovely finish on a welt pocket with a flap? I've seen a few tutorials about just doing the pocket but no-one seems to show how to get a schmick finish on the inside.

There is a sale next weekend at Addicted to Fabric so I might look for some more bomber jacket material...

In other news, yesterday I sent off this little sock monkey that I'd made a while ago for Softies for Mirabel.  And yes, I got to wear my new dress to work!
Little sock monkey for Softies for Mirabel 2013

22 comments:

  1. You are way faster than me!! How was the sizing?

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh nooooooo! Spotty bomber fail? That sucks! This will be my first welt pocket make so I am no bloody help at all, just sympathy and encourage is all I'm good for. Stay strong and good luck finding new Bomber fabric at the sale ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. i did do this one time before. i remember being a little stumped about how to finish it properly, but since i was HK finishing all the seams i did the same on the pocket bag. that or maybe it's not too late to just add a lining?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm made zippered welt pockets earlier this year when I was pattern testing a bag. I honestly can't remember how and when I finished the seam allowances & the book isn't released yet! Did you see the Oliver + S welt pocket tutorial? http://oliverands.com/blog/2013/10/tutorial-how-to-sew-a-welt-pocket.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Addicted to fabric sale!! This weekend or next? I'll see you there :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Next weekend. Fri and Sat. 25% off !!!! Just sent you an email with the details.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the link! It's pretty good. I also found a Kenneth King tute on Craftsy which might be useful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Amy. Maybe your mum will be able to help you through it. If the insides of your bomber are neat - make sure you give the tips! Fingers crossed for some bomber friendly fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Was too sad to have a good look. Will assess on the weekend, but I think it will be a bit long in the arms at least.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks Shar for your moral support. I think I might be the only person who wants super detailed instructions! Mmm. Re the fabric, I think you would be able to find it at Shaukat - they seem to have every single Liberty - ever.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Btw, no point in starting first if you can't finish!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh welt pockets scare me! Is the jacket lined? Can you draft a lining and hide them away? I'm not familiar with the pattern.....love mr monkey!

    ReplyDelete
  13. How about lining the jacket? Then no messy seams showing. I really love the look of welt pockets but I've had to practice quite a lot to make them as nice inside as outside (you could bind the edge with bias, I do that and I like the style).
    Please keep going as the jacket really looks nice...

    ReplyDelete
  14. I´m sorry I cannot give you a good advise on that. Said that, I´d line the jacket so that it doesn´t show. I don´t know if I told you that for next spring I´m planning on making a reversible bomber jacket...that´s an option too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are right Merche. I need to line it. Deep breath.
    Your reversible bomber sounds fantastic. Do you have a pattern?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks Pauline. I will keep going (but with new fabric) and I will line it as it is such a nice jacket it deserves to look nice on the inside.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mr Monkey says thanks - and yes I will need to take a deep breath in and line it...

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm scared of welt pockets but I would probably watch every tutorial I could on line if I attempted it. Hope you can save it, such cute fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks Angela. I signed up to a Kenneth D KIng course on Craftsy.. so maybe that will help !

    ReplyDelete
  20. I just bought this pattern and was planning to make it in spring, and I have to admit my first thought was 'nice, but I'm lining the hell out of that.'

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh, I hope the next bomber jacket goes better for you, and I always finish the edges of the pockets last thing. I don't know if anyone else does it differently but I find it easier that way. And that's an adorable sock monkey!

    ReplyDelete