"Make it like the Pattern.....Only Better" I Boldly Went There.....

James T. Kirk’s Field Jacket from the movie “The Wrath of Khan”

Make it like the pattern…..but…..differently!

Since the client intends to wear this jacket as everyday wear, I wanted to make all the bits as durable as possible…..which meant I added layers to almost every piece.

There were just no shortcuts! Even the sleeves were very different from each other and had to be cut out and constructed differently from each other.

The client is taller and more broad shouldered than the pattern so as I adjusted the length and the size of the pieces I increased the proportions of the patches, too. I also improved on finishing that I felt didn’t stand up to this being a real jacket as opposed to a costume. i.e.-I added this band around the cuff instead of hand stitching the padded patch in place.

Every single piece had SO MUCH DETAIL in it! Some by design, some of my own making. I added a patch of upholstery fabric under the pocket closures to ensure they won’t cut through the fabric with wear

The client did a great job sourcing all of the findings and fabrics!

The padded patches have horizontal pad stitching in the instructions. The cuffs of the jacket have vertical pad stitching and I felt that this detail-while nice looked out of place as it only happened once. SO, I suggested to the client that I also give the side panels of the jacket the same vertical pad stitching treatment. I created more work for myself, but I felt the end result looked much more “designed”. This little pocket was a slight diversion from the instructions-per the client’s specific request.

I was very pleased when the client said my rendition of the new jacket was more interesting and better made. The pattern doesn’t have the horizontal strip-though his original jacket does and he asked that I add this detail. Also, the strips now have a “daisy chain” style of stitching so the strips can have clips attached to them.

So many questions on my part-luckily the client was VERY easy to work with and as I sent numerous text/pictures, he gamely answered every one of my questions and gave me insight as to what he hoped for. It was a great experience for me.

Can I add more pockets? Sure, why not?! Here I added side pockets that are set into the front side seams.

Add some interior pockets, too? I may as well! I used my husband’s winter coat as a model for this detail.

The client asked that I spaced the pad stitching out to match the delta’s for the collar. Good call…

I admit, there were a couple of times I wondered if I would ever see this picture! It was well worth the journey!

Having a photographer husband means you can get moments like this documented. Lucky me! Photos of client used with permission.

Photos by:: Micheal Lanz https://www.lanzartstudioofphotography.com/

Not going to lie, I’m pretty proud of how these details turned out! Photos of client used with permission

Photos by:: Micheal Lanz https://www.lanzartstudioofphotography.com/

I told him I was bringing a photographer and he dressed the part. A+ Photos of client used with permission

Photos by:: Micheal Lanz https://www.lanzartstudioofphotography.com/