Softshell climbing jacket

[edvin mellergård]

I'm always having trouble finding clothes that fit me properly(long arms, slim waist…) and finally took the matter in my own hands. Finished this jacket a couple of weeks ago, second garment I've made and it turned out really good. A bit heavier than most stuff normally featured here but I do a lot of mixed climbing so I need rugged gear.

More details and pictures on my blog

http://vikingalpinism.blogspot.se/2013/12/i-fucking-love-this-softshell-jacket.html

Edvin

[Jon Holthaus]

This is an amazing work of art. What fabric was used?

[edvin mellergård]

Thank you!

The darker blue came from extremetextil.de (now out of stock in that color)
http://www.extremtextil.de/catalog/Softshell-04-thin-threelayer-impregnated-insulating::884.html

And the lighter blue from Rockywoods
http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Kits/Durable-Stretch-Woven-Fabrics/Schoeller-Stretch-Woven-Classic-Blue

[Chris Stafford]

That piece looks seriously amazing. I can't believe it's the first garment you've made especially using your own pattern. When are you going to start taking orders??

[Ben Smith]

Really beautiful jacket, I hope you're extremely proud of your self.

[Dale Wambaugh]

Great photos too. Showing the fit with your arms extended and reaching tells a great deal. Nice job!

[And E]

Just wow.

That's some crazy good work there.

[Adrian MITCHELL]

Really really nice. If you had said, look at this new design by Arc'teryx I would have believed you! Interesting hood design…exterior elastic? do you have more detailed photos of that/comments on that?

[edvin mellergård]

Chris Stafford – Studying engineering and design at Uni right now, got one and a half year left. Who knows what happens then? :)
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Dale Wambaugh – Thanks! Visual information is often better than text, I can write all day long(as the blog length indicates…) "but a picture says more than 1000…." :)
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Adrian Mitchell – Wow, thanks alot! Arc'teryx is one of few companies that I think do a really good job so being compared to them is nice!

What I meant about the drawcords is simply that the cord-lock and cord end is on the outside of the jacket where it can be reached and adjusted without having to open up the zipper first. Some manufacturers put the lock and end on the inside, gives the jacket a bit cleaner look but isn't very user friendly.

[Adrian MITCHELL]

I see. Just in the top photo it looks like there is elastic running around the back of your head, on the outside of the hood.

Arc'teryx is a great brand. I have a couple of jackets by them, and in general, its very rare that i see or use an outdoor product and I think, there is nothing I think could have been done better. I actually have an arc'teryx alpha sl shell, which is one of the ones with foam in the waist. it is handy under a harness, but the jacket also isnt as long as yours. that jacket is on its last legs though, so this winter I plan on making a replacement. really light eVent or medium weight Pro Shell is the question.

Adie

[Kevin Beeden]

Really nice-looking work, well done.

Is there any chance you could change the URL of your web page, though; our work net nanny doesn't like the naughty word, and won't let me see the page…

I do all those sorts of tests when I'm trying on jackets; what's the arm raise hem & cuff pull like? Can I reach the back of my harness? Can I cross my arms across my chest…

The only thing I might have done differently would have been to have put chest pocket zips in the seam between the side panel and the front, giving a more accessible, but discreet pocket.

Looks like the engineering & design skills are working very nicely for you… ;-)

[edvin mellergård]

Aha, sorry! I misunderstood you. There is a second drawcord on the back of the hood. The draw cord around the face opening only really closes that opening, it doesn't make the hood any smaller. Since the hood is quite big on this jacket to fit over a helmet it flops around when I'm not wearing one.

The drawcord on the back really reduces the volume of the hood så it stays put when I'm not wearing a helmet.

EDIT: Forgot to add image

[dave e]

how the hell do you sew that softish rubbery material?how do you cut and measure?i cant believe you can do that at home-that is awesome and very creative.

[Author]

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