Jacket Express #218 (Pattern Review)

Many years ago I purchased the Craftsy (now BluPrint) class Sew Better, Sew Faster – Garment Industry secrets with Janet Pray , which came with the Jacket Express #218 pattern. So far I made the jacket two times and blogged about here, here and here.

I keep using some of the techniques I’ve learnt making this jacket through watching this class over and over in other projects.

Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Jacket Express #218 from Islander Sewing Systems – Jacket Express is a grown-up version of the blue jean jacket, but it’s not just for denim! The hemline has been dropped and rounded to flatter all figure types. Seams are finished with optional double topstitching for the classic sportswear look. Instructions for the Jacket Express are created for faster construction by using a unique, out of traditional sequence construction order and simple ready-to-wear techniques. I have the Paper version but it also comes in PDF form.

Sizing: American XXS to 4X

Fabric: for this version I used 1.5 m of cotton poplin ( the lightest weight for fabric that is recommended for this jacket) which was gifted to me by The Fabric Guys for a fabric review post

Notions: 0.5 m heavyweight interfacing, 7 buttons of 21mm diameter

Modifications: Although my body measurements put me in size S, after making the jacket twice before, I sized down to XS and reduced the width of the back

Instructions: they are very well documented in the little booklet that accompanies the pattern. I also used the Craftsy (now BluPrint) class I bought many years ago to learn industry techniques from Janet Pray. However, the video class is not needed to construct the jacket. The sleeve was shortened by 3 cm.

Fit: Great, I am really happy with how the jacket fits me.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Yes, although, I managed to put the sleeves in back to front. But I call that design feature.

Watch out for: make sure you check the front and the back of the sleeve and insert them accordingly into the jacket

Make Again?: Yes, definitely.