Everything You Need to Know About Creating Simplicity Pattern 8174 Moto Jacket

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I finally got the images I needed to show you all the blood, sweat and tears I put into making my first moto jacket. If you know me then you know I don’t like to take the easy way when it comes to sewing. I am not afraid to try making something new if it will get me one step closer to my dream wardrobe. I had a moto jacket in the past, but it was faux leather and after a while, it started to pill. After that, I couldn’t get myself to purchase a new one and real leather motos were out of the question because of the cost and the weather didn’t get cold enough here to justify the purchase.

How I came to make this jacket was by chance actually. I found this image of a blue suede moto jacket on Pinterest and I looked for weeks for the perfect color suede to match it. I was going through the rows of fabric at Joann Fabric Store and found it. I seriously wanted to dance up the aisle. As I looked the fabric over, I discovered that one side was smooth like a lining, which made me think I had scored big time. I would later find out how much of a pain that was. I prepared myself for disappointment because I thought there was no way this was in my budget. Wrong!

It was on sale. Can we say #winning? I snatched up what I needed and began the sewing process. I spent the first 2 days cutting out the patterns, washing the fabric and cutting the pieces in fabric and interfacing. If you are new to sewing make sure that you always take a picture of the care instructions that you can find either online from a merchant or on the fabric holder itself. This way you know how to pretreat it.

I determined the lining would have to be added so I cut out those pattern pieces as well. As I was sewing there were a few things that I learned along the way. See below for my review:

Here’s my review of the pattern and what I used:

Pattern Description: Misses’ Lined Jacket and Knit Dress

(Click here to find Simplicity 8174 )

Pattern Sizing: I cut out size 14

View: C

Fabric Choice: Faux Suede and Silk Charmeuse both were purchased from Joann Fabric.

Other choices for fabric include Corduroy, Denim, Leather, Leather-like, Pinwale Corduroy, Sateen, and Twill.

Color: Blue and floral printed blue and white

Sewing Tools Needed That Aren’t Mentioned:

2 1/2 spools of thread matching the fabric,
Leather needle
Topstitch needle.
Walking Foot

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it? Yes! Better than expected.

Are the instructions easy to follow? For the most part yes. There was a part that I didn’t understand. I was supposed to stitch the bottom closed and then turn the jacket right side out and then understitch the collar. I didn’t understand how I was supposed to do that without catching the rest of the fabric so I understitched the collar while the fabric was turnout. Then, I stitched the bottom closed and turn the jacket right side out. Also, the number of pieces I had to cut out of lining didn’t match what was needed to complete the linning. That can happen sometimes, so you just have to double check to make sure you have all the right pieces cut out.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I honestly, loved the coat when finished. It taught me a lot about patience with projects this large with so many pieces and to appreciate the journey.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: When I was sewing the zipper to the front and had to flip over the top I cut off the excess zipper teeth so that I could secure the stitch with the fabric part of the zipper. This made sure the zipper wouldn’t come up. I also sewed the entire thing with 1/2 seam allowance instead of 5/8 to give me some breathing room.

Would you sew it again? Yes! I plan to make a white one in denim to replace the one I can no longer fit.

How long did it take? Honestly, I stopped counting after it took over a month to complete the entire thing. I’m working on getting better at keep track of my sewing time. It gets hard once you get in the grove.

Tips to avoid it taking as long: Move the needle manually when you are going over the folded teeth at the top. The carrier (belt loops) are smaller than usual so make sure you are under your sewing machines feed dogs when sewing. For those who don’t know what that is they are the little teeth that move the fabric along and keep your stitch from being uneven.