Hi All!!

Finally it’s here!! I have completed my Islander Sewing System jacket!! And I love it!

If you didn’t read my post before about me making this jacket- then all you need to know is that my mom bought me a course on Craftsy.com taught by Janet Pray (the woman behind the Islander Sewing System) who teaches you how to achieve industry sewing techniques at home through making her ‘Jacket Express’. I absolutely loved this course- Janet is such a great teacher and I learned so many tips and tricks- I can’t wait to dig out all my jacket patterns and apply everything I learned!

Anyways without further delay, here is my jacket!

The Front- all buttoned up!

Is my hair ever getting long….

When I’m feeling like a bad-ass and poppin’ my collar, lol

But when I’m not feeling so bad-ass I just smile big and pretend I’m a bird flying..

I kinda fell in love with the yoke fabric I picked, I was a little unsure about it when it was under construction, but I’m totally into it now- and the silver buttons I chose.

And the inside is so NICE and finished looking!! AHH- no lining but so finished looking!!! <3

If you’re wondering how I’m getting such glamourous pictures, it would be because of this super professional set up here:

I don’t call this unprofessional- I call it resourceful.

More importantly!! The details- because this is one of those projects that is so well made that you don’t mind taking close-ups of the top stitching and things!!

Check out my topstitching!! a needle-width away from the edge, then 1/4″ away- for the most RTW look! I used black thread for my topstitching and a fairly short stitch length, and I like the effect! (I used a cream colour topstitching on the yoke as you can see)

As you can see I did the interior cuff in the same printed fabric as the yoke! Just for a nice little detail. Which looks nice if you want to roll the sleeves up- which I always do. Although I realize I rolled them up further for the pics.

The back yoke all finished with the burrito method!

And this is the project where I tackled my fear of buttonholes! I have an old machine so there aren’t all the special features for button holes, and I didn’t have one of those special button hole feet here either because I think it is at home- so I managed to do these with just my regular foot.

These ones were my practice ones to get the hang of it- and I think I did a pretty good job on the finished project- with all 6 buttons (4 on the front and 1 for each cuff)!

By the end my fear was conquered!! I will never avoid a pattern again because it has buttons! Also I can say much of my success with this can be attributed to this youtube video: How to Sew a Buttonhole with an Old Machine, SO HELPFUL OMG! I used their method exact and it was perfect every time!!

I am really looking forward to wearing this in the spring (why must it still be -7 out?) and even more excited to make another jacket for myself!! 🙂

If you have any questions/ comments please leave them below!!

– Now back to the sewing machine!!

xo erin