The Ziggi Biker Jacket is finally mine!

Do you have patterns that you literally lust over?  Be honest...I know I do and one of the top five for me was this drop dead HOT Ziggi Biker Jacket from StyleArc.  I am going to the first to admit I have a HUGE crush on StyleArc right now and I am even more dazzled than I was before embarking on this jacket. [insert huge grin!]

So, I saw another version on SPR where a gal used white fabric and I thought to my out of control stash and remembered I purchased a drop dead gorgeous white denim from my favorite local quilt shop in Sioux Falls.  They've had so many requests for high-quality denim they started carrying it.  I probably paid a little more than I should have for this, but with short term pain such as what happened when I swiped my debit card, I am darn glad I did as this 10 oz denim from Robert Kaufman sewed up pretty special and I am super pleased with my jacket.



I had about 2 yards of this beautiful fabric--honestly, buy it if you come across it!  I intended to make capri jeans but I kept dreaming about this jacket and I finally just went for it and purchased the download from Etsy.  This bad boy was something like 59 pages to tape together but if you put on a movie or watch reruns on HGTV, it isn't so bad.  All in all, from printing to sewing the final stitch, I spent about 10 hours on my FREAKIN BEAUTIFUL JACKET!!!  Can you tell I really like it???

When I embarked on this journey to sew this together, I hadn't read the directions completely.  Don't snicker...I had a vague idea of what I would be getting myself into, especially since this is a pattern that is rated for an experienced sewer only.  Yep, after making this I'd say this is very accurate.  You have to know intuitively how to complete some of the steps as we all know StyleArc directions are minimal.  Another note is that on the Etsy site where I purchased and downloaded this pattern, the center back seam isn't shown and I was confused as to what I missed as I started putting this together.In addition, the directions don't mention topstitching the seams but I did anyway as I think it gives it a nicer finish.

You can either line or not and I chose not to.  Had I used a wool or leather, then without question I would have.  I also quilted the shoulder sleeve and the yoke and it just adds a nice little dramatic/boutique touch--if you catch my drift.

Since I chose not to line this freakin awesome jacket, that met the back collar seam wasn't tucked in nice and neat so I used some light pink bias tape, stitched it to the seam at the collar and then slip stitched the free end to the jacket itself with silk thread.  Have you ever hand sewn with silk?  It is luscious!

For those cute little exposed zippers at the pockets and sleeve hems, DH found them at a church rummage sale and purchased a bag of all sorts of zippers for about three bucks.  There are about 10 of these six inch decorative zippers in there along with black ones and all sorts of others.  Score!!!

I used a tutorial on StyleArc's site for exposed zippers and found it more than adequate.  There were even visuals included!

I made a straight up size 12 for this am even though I like the fit, I do wonder if it is perhaps just slightly too big?  Maybe not...what do you think?

As for interfacing, I used a medium weight from Fashion Sewing Supply.  I even used interfacing at the seams for the zippers at the sleeves and also the pockets, even though the instructions didn't call for it.

The snaps were from my stash,yay for hoarding materials!  I find an awl very useful to cut the hole before setting the snaps.  It makes lining everything up very easy and you don't have to use as much force when you set them with a hammer.

Yes, I love this, can you tell?  I'll make another with a wool or dressier fabric.  This is a lovely pattern and I am very smitten with StyleArc, in case you couldn't tell!!!

Thanks for reading!!!
Sue