Piece 3 of the blaze orange-a-thon is the coat, by far the most time-consuming, but then also the most satisfying to have completed.
The full suit is a little frightening, but I think now my husband will be highly visible to everyone but deer.
The sun glinting off this fabric makes it seem very neon orange, which it isn't. We took this photo this morning in the frosty air, and hubby was able to confirm his new suit is very warm. When/if it warms up in midday, the lining of the
pants can be removed, and he can take off the coat and wear his purchased sweatshirt or
blaze orange tee.
At the outset, making this coat seemed a little daunting because of the multitude of details, but I have to say, Jalie's instructions and illustrations are really excellent. I followed them (mostly!) step by step and had great results.
I saved myself a lot of stitching and topstitching time by connecting the pattern pieces for the sleeves and front and back which are supposed to be color blocked and pieced.
My husband, the visionary, couldn't help but improve on the pattern concept a little: cargo pockets. I actually think Jalie 2008 is amazingly well-detailed and professional looking with the exception that there ARE no pockets on the lower half of the coat, where you would normally put your hands. So it made sense to add some cargo pockets. If I had had more time, side seam pockets would have been nice, too, since cargo pockets are better for storage than for hands.
The pattern calls for zippered welt pockets covered by a flap. The flap is supposed to start at the bottom of the bodice yoke, but since I eliminated that, the flap starts in mid-air.
Welt pocket in the beginning stages.
Jalie's instructions for the zippered welt pockets are the best I've seen. They include a pattern for the welt strips with seam allowance included, so you are guaranteed they'll be the right width. "Fold in half and stitch a guide line down the middle" is fairly precise. The instructions included a lot of "guideline stitching" which I found to be really helpful.
Zippered welt pocket hidden under the flap. A loop of cord is attached to the zipper pull.
Cuff. One side is elasticated. The velcro flap allows for a custom wrist fit.
Adjustable shock cord in the hem.
Adjustable shock cord in a casing at the waist. The cord is strung through a casing in the shell, pulled through button holes, and pulled through button holes in the lining to the inside.
Inside out. I used quilted supplex for the bodice only. A heavier weight fleece seemed better for the sleeves, hood lining, and bottom since the supplex was a little stiff and not very cozy.
Hood peak.
Hood closure: velcro and adjustable elastic cord.
Collar.
Back view.
Verdict:
I'm extremely pleased with how the coat turned out and I felt the instructions and pattern were top-notch. And my husband is very happy with his new coat.
Sources:
Parka pattern: Jalie 2008.
Orange camo microfleece (?): $5/yd from S.R. Harris.
Quilted supplex: $6/yd from S.R. Harris.
Grey fleece: $1.29/yd from remnant table at Mill End.
Cord stops: $5 for 4 from Hancock Fabrics. (Plus 1 random one from stash).
Long zip: $3 from Seattle Fabrics.
Pocket zippers and velcro: stash.
Snaps: included in my snap pliers kit.
Total cost: about $35, not including the pattern.
Thank goodness for google translate, since I certainly don't have a Finnish-English dictionary laying around. Now I know "mustikka" is Finnish for "blueberry". 
The front closes with an invisible zip and the back is seamed instead of cut on the fold. All the fabrics are from Chez Ami, conveniently coordinating with each other.
Sources:
The front closes with an invisible zip and the back is seamed instead of cut on the fold. All the fabrics are from Chez Ami, conveniently coordinating with each other.
Sources:
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