Evaluation for Mens Jacket

Overall, I found the whole process of the men’s jacket quite difficult. Firstly, I had to design the jacket which I found quite interesting as I had never designed or made anything for men, so it was a good chance to explore their fashion. As the design had to relate to a type of sports racing, the research I was looking at was within the sport industry which initially I did not find very interesting.

The manufacturing of the jacket overall, I found quite easy as my first assignment was also a jacket so I had the basic knowledge and skills that were needed. The first problem I encountered was the type of material I needed. As it was for our ‘Made in Britain’ assignment, I had to choose natural fabrics or one that was similar. I found this hard as all the fabrics I initially wanted were all too expensive but I finally found a wool red fabric last minute which had luckily been reduced. I also bought black stretch jersey for the extra lapels on the jacket and black satin for the lining.

I found that when sewing the woollen fabric some parts were really difficult as the fabric frayed easily. Also as the stretch jersey was a stretchy fabric I had to sew over some parts I had already done, for example, the back lapel had stretched and became wider which meant I had to take it in slightly or the jacket would be too big to sew to the lining.

I really struggled when putting in the elbow patches as even though I had pinned it in place there was still a lot of excess material towards the end of the sewing which meant I had to unpick and start again. This was also similar when I was sewing the lining sleeves into the jacket lining, because the sleeves were a lot bigger, I was unpicking so I decided to add small pleats at the seam so the sleeves eased in.

When it came to adding the collar to the jacket I found the probably the easiest, unlike my first assignment were I had a leather collar, this collar is in the same material as the jacket and is a lot smaller so it was easier to manage when sewing it on.

Surprisingly, I found the bellow pockets quite easy to make. When I was creating samples I found it tricky to make the bellow pocket but I had no problems when it came to the final ones on my jacket. Unfortunately, because of the time I had to make the jacket I could only make 2 pockets opposed to the 3 which were on my design. If I was to make the jacket again, I would defiantly add the third pocket as I think the jacket looks too plain in the middle and the third pocket would of gave it that extra characteristic.

Another part of the jacket I did not add where the shoulder lapels. Again, because of the time I had to make the jacket I decided not to add these into the shoulders as I already found it difficult to sew the sleeves to the jacket, I wanted to make sure I had it completed on time and ready for the deadline. Similar to third pocket, I would defiantly add these if I were to make the jacket again as they were a really important part of my design which were a good link to car racing.

When I attached the lining to the jacket I decided to make the wrong side of the fabric visible as it was duller in colour which I felt was more masculine and suited to the style of my jacket. As this was the first time I had ever lined anything, I thought it went quite well for the first attempt.

Overall, I am happy with the end result and I am really pleased with how my skills are progressing. I am defiantly a lot more confident when it comes to making jackets and adding pockets and collars etc.