Wind shirt

very nice work!
could you cite the pattern you used providing you used one. thanks

Mike,

It's a pattern I originally made from an old jacket that fit me nicely and I've modified it through time. Each jacket I make from it I alter it slightly based upon the type of jacket and design. The hood was literally drawn by hand – I'm amazed at how well it worked out, let alone worked at all.

That said, if you're looking for a good jacket pattern, I've had good luck with the patterns that Thru-hiker makes/sells. They come with excellent instructions too.

Cheers,
Kevin

That's a great looking jacket!

You said you change the pattern a little each time you make one. How many jackets have you made? What was your first one like?

I just finished a windshirt using oware's ripstop camo and the free vuokatti pattern that was posted on here years ago. http://www.shelby.fi/kaava/301/301_instructions.php. It's functional, but looks nerdy and is a little tight.

Nice job

"t's a pattern I originally made from an old jacket that fit me nicely and I've modified it through time. Each jacket I make from it I alter it slightly based upon the type of jacket and design. The hood was literally drawn by hand – I'm amazed at how well it worked out, let alone worked at all."

If you buy a pattern, you are missing out on some of the creative process : )

I've had good luck with the patterns that Thru-hiker makes/sells.

I have also done well with stuff from thru-hiker.com, but one point of clarification … they sell kits (pattern + materials), but not the patterns alone.

Thanks for the video. Very nice jacket.

The first jacket I made was a pattern/kit from thru-hiker. It was their kinsman pullover, a synthetic insulated half zip. It turned out OK but my skills were a little jankey, luckily I ordered one size too large and was able to tailor it down to my size when sewing the final seams from the cuffs to the waist. Until you develop enough skill to keep your seam allowances pretty constant, you will tend to have a final result that is too tight. I highly recommend the thru-hiker kits, the instructions are really easy to follow and detailed, as if written for someone who's never sewn before. The also provide the phone number of the dude who designed the patterns (forgot his name…) and he is super friendly and willing to answer any questions you have while making it. I called him once.

Since then I've made another 6-7 Jackets. Technical hardshells (Event and Gortex), fleece's of various weights, cotton, and another synthetic insulated. The pattern I've used from all of them came from an old cotton sweatshirt I really liked. Its a versitile patern, I can do hooded or collar, pit zips, full zip or 1/4 zip, kangaroo pouches, pockets anywhere… its fun to try some new feature each time. This wind shirt is obviously really simple. I adjust the pattern by hand each time based on the fit I'm looking for, the material I'm using, the insulation, and also from learnings of how I want certain areas to fit better based on the jackets made in the past. At this point I've more or less got the fit down just the way I like it, just through experimentation. Going forward I may start experimenting with articulating sleeves and more complex/fancy design elements. I'd love to tear apart a arc'teryx and make a pattern from it… if anyone has one they like to donate to the cause ;P