I have been very inspired by Pattern Review's contests this spring. This is the 3rd in a row that I have entered. This is for the "Best Pattern Contest". Looking through the best pattern options, I was pleased to see that I already owned several of them. The only one that really stood out to me was the Sewaholic Minoru.
Scouring the internet, I found so many great Minoru variations. After seeing this one from Kristy at Rocket Sews, I decided to add a zipper guard just like hers. Imitation is the best form of flattery after all.
I used a gray denim for the exterior and a blue daisy print slippery polyester for the lining, and interlined it with white flannel. I made a size 12 and did a 1" FBA adding a front dart. Here is a photo overload:
The obvious and well noted omission of this pattern is the lack of exterior pockets. I added welt pockets on the exterior, and another welt pocket on the interior as well. I only need an interior pocket on the left side, so I only did one.
Using a welt pocket on the interior had one unexpected effect: I was unable to bring the waist elastic around the front of the jacket very far. The casing stitching would have gone right across the pocket bag of my welt pocket making it only a few inches deep! Aaack! So I simply decided to stop the elastic short of the pocket bag, so it only extends about 1" forward of the side seams.
This is how I did the zipper guard based on Kristy's method:
I love how the zipper shield turned out. Initially, I wasn't a fan of the exposed zipper on this jacket, but it has really grown on me, and I'm happy I decided not to make additional plackets to cover the zipper.
Thankfully I finished this jacket while it's still cool enough to wear it. :)
