Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Jacket Burda 7734

Howdy Howdy Howdy

Went to my local fabric store with my son, which should be a no no.  Why should going to the fabric store be a girl thing?  Well, that's a later discussion.  While there, my son found this great fabric ,that would made him a killer jacket.  This fabric makes me think of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

My son is 9 years old, so I needed a jacket in children's size.  So many questions came to my mind as I was deciding how to make this jacket.  But first I had to find a pattern.

This jacket is overdue. I started planning this project a few months ago but I couldn't find a bomber jacket pattern for boys.  So I settled for a sweatshirt pattern. For some reason, I was not happy with my selection.  I couldn't bring myself to cut the pattern.

One afternoon I was organizing my pattern stash and found this...Burda 7734. I looked at the line drawing on the back and kicked myself. I had a jacket pattern all along.  I ran to grab a pair of scissors; walked back to my table with my scissors (safety first). My son was so excited that he helped with the cutting.  He's such a sweetheart!

I did not know that Burda pattern company offered so many variations of children's clothing.   However the jacket I choose is a men's pattern cut in a size 36.  The pattern did not have finish sizes or a size chart on the envelope.  To determine the best size to cut, I laid out the pattern and measured the width of the front and back pieces.  Then I found the measurements on the pattern piece.   Why didn't they add a size chart on the pattern envelope.  Se Lavi!

This is my second time working with a Burda pattern. The first time was a simple dress that I made for my 3 year old.  It took a little longer to work through the directions because this pattern is not catered to the beginner.  However, it was easy once I stopped and looked at it.

I interfaced the zipper seam allowance so that it look straight and professionally done. 

The sweatshirt fabric was not easy to cut, even with a sharp pair of scissors.

Ankleband???  Am I making a jacket or a pair of pants? 

This has been a unique sewing experience.  I think I am so spoiled by the Simplicity instructions that I was shocked when I started to read the instructions for this Burda pattern.  Every company is different and I am intrigued.  After this experience I am ready to try another Burda pattern. 

All was well.  Until I had to work on the hood.  I did not have enough fabric to make a hood.  The following day I returned to my local fabric store.  I walked around and around the store but I couldn't find it.  As I'm about to leave (thinking of a way to incorporate a different color fabric). I saw something in a bin,  it was the fabric with only half a yard left. I was ecstatic!!!  Like a kid in a candy store.

The zipper was really long.  I was frustrated because I was almost at the finish line and then I had to figure out how to adjust the zipper.

When I was on the last step, I realized the inside of the jacket looked horrible.  What if my son takes off his jacket and his friend sees my mess.  To make the inside look a little more presentable, I bias binded the seams.  I used a little under 2 packs of store bought "Double Sided Bias Binding."  Then I made a facing for the zipper area.

This was an easy sew for the most part.  This project had a lot of "firsts for me. 

First time:

• making a hood
• sewing an exposed zipper
• topstitching
• cleaning up the seams
• using bias binding for the seams
• making a jacket facing for the zipper area

Pattern Review

Pattern Description:

Sweat jacket with knitted waistband, cuffs and pouches, available with hood, stand-up collar. These are popular layering items. The shirt with the polo panel and stand-up collar have excellent fashion potential

Pattern Sizing: 

34 to 36, I cut a size 36

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes.  Thank goodness.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

This pattern was somewhat easy to follow.  Carefully read the instructions to not miss any steps.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I did not like that the size chart was not display on the envelope back.  Other than that this was a really good pattern.

Fabric Used:

Heavy weight Sweatshirt fleece

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I made a facing for the zipper area and used store bought binding to conceal the seams.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes I will.  My husband and my brother loves this jacket so much.  I have some work to do.

Conclusion:

The instructions for the hood was a little confusing.  From the instructions, it seems that you're supposed to sew down the front tab of the hood.  I did not like how it looked.  I removed the stitches and then hand stitched the front tab down.  I am accustomed to the directions number by each step while the Burda instructions grouped several instructions under each number.  So read your instructions carefully.