Today I am sharing another challenge-related garment with you. Two in two days, what?! It’s the end of the month rush, y’all!
I made McCall’s 7100 bomber jacket in a loose weave houndstooth I got from the thrift store months ago. When I picked up the fabric, I had just gotten the pattern in the mail and immediately wanted to make it up. Of course, it being a more Spring jacket, I put it off. The middle of winter and the horribly cold winter we had did not make for me wanting to make a Spring jacket. And then Spring hit and I scrambled to make a Spring jacket, because I didn’t have one.
Unfortunately, the major issue with how loose the weave is in this fabric is that it also unravels so easily! I serged the entire jacket (except the welt pockets and zipper/facing). I am considering going back and binding all the seams with bias tape to prevent further unraveling, but that seems like too much work. I just zigzagged over the small holes and other seams where it looked a little like it would be creating a hole. I think I will just keep my eye out for another lightweight houndstooth or jacket material to make another and then just put the patches on that one.
I decided not to adjust the fit and I also cut out two at the same time. I should have maybe held off on cutting out the second one. Lesson learned. I trusted that the finished garment measurements would look fine on me. D’oy!
This version looks okay, but my other version is in a heavier weight fabric (a stretch floral denim, pictured below) and the stretch didn’t really help at all….
FBA if I ever make a third!
I do love this jacket, though.
For the Put a Bird on it Challenge with Monthly Stitch, I bought iron-on patches from an etsy seller, Tattooit, for the back shoulders. I love the look. If I didn’t already have shoulder tattoos, I might consider getting some birds.
Construction of the jacket went well. It was my first time making welt pockets. Although, I feel like these aren’t as complicated as some types of welt pockets.
I think they look pretty good.
The instructions for putting in the bottom band were minimal and could have used a little more explanation for me. As a result, the bottom band is a little wonky where it meets the tabs at the bottom in both my versions. In fact, my second version is in the naughty corner currently to sit and contemplate about breaking my serging needle and not cooperating for the bottom band. Bad bomber jacket! I’ll show you it eventually.
Here is my photoshoot where I am oddly in half sun or shade, because I took these after my walk home from work and was a little sleepy and out of it? Enjoy!
I am wearing a dress from eShakti underneath.
TL:DR Review
- Pattern: McCall’s 7100
- Pros: Welt pockets, raglan sleeves, princess seams, tons of possibilities for colour-blocking.
- Cons: The instructions for sewing in the bottom band are minimal and can be very fiddly because of the bottom tabs and the facing.
- Make again?: Currently have a second one 90% done.
- Rating:
4/5 stars
Andie Wells Studio 
Wow! You’re really on the ball lately! I just love bomber jackets in unexpected prints. I love the little touch of the birds. Awesome! I can’t wait to see your next one!
Thanks, Tanya! 🙂 The fit on the next one isn’t as good, but I still like it. Can’t go wrong with floral denim. 🙂
I think you just sold me on this pattern. I’ve had it bookmarked for awhile but it’s one of those styles where I’ve been hesitant to commit without seeing it on a curvy body. Plus, it seems harder to find reviews of this particular pattern which I prefer to the more frequently reviewed Rigel Bomber. Your version looks great, and now I have jacket envy. Love the houndstooth!
I wasn’t a fan of the Rigel Bomber. The sizing range wasn’t as good and I didn’t like the neckline. I prefer jackets to have a higher neckline. There were just so many details of this bomber jacket that appealed to me more than the Rigel Bomber.
I didn’t find any reviews of M7100 at all. There may have been some on Pattern Review but I’m not a member of it.
Glad to sell you on a great pattern, though! 🙂 🙂
Gah! I really need to make a casual jacket! I’m impressed with all the new types of things you are tackling recently, I think I’ve been in a slightly fearful phase of my sewing and just making the same stuff over and over. Hopefully the new sewing machine I just ordered will help, I know some of the fear comes from things I don’t think my machine does well, like sew accurately and make buttonholes. You are inspiring me!
Thanks, Megan. 🙂 I hope you get past the fearful phase and that the new machine makes the difference, but there is nothing wrong with sewing the same stuff over and over. If it works for you, it’s never wrong. 🙂
Love the bird detail on the back.
Thanks so much! 🙂
Love this! The bird detail is great. I am going to have to add this pattern to my list of must makes.
Thanks! 🙂 I can’t wait to see your version. 😀
Such a cool jacket! Love the swallows! ( I have a swallow tattoo)
I bet that is a cool tattoo! 😀 😀
It’s a great shape! I so relate to the spring jacket conundrum. It’s so hard to motivate yourself to sew lighter jackets when it’s drifting snow out the window. I wish I had known about the birds challenge! I love bird prints, and I’m glad there are several out there these days! Looking forward to the floral version!
Thanks, Elizabeth. It’s definitely motivating to sew for Spring when it is clearly not even close. Lol.
I wish you had know about the bird challenge, too! I bet you would have made a wicked garment for it. 🙂
🙂 I love your jacket Andie!!
I love the fabric and the birds, and from the looks of the floral, the next one must be pretty cool too!! Can’t wait to see it! 🙂
Thanks so much! 🙂 🙂
Nice job! First time for welt pockets? They look good!
Thanks, Linda! 🙂