StyleArc Ziggi jacket #3
Good news or bad news?
Bad first I think:
I basted in a sleeve and [fortunately] checked it on the missus. Eeek. As I’d taken some bodice width out under the arm, I knew some would have to go from the sleeve, so took a stab [this is me you know] and pinched some out at the back sleeve seam. Remember, this is a 2 part sleeve, not as simple as taking some out at the underarm of course.
It looked CRAP. For some reason, this resulted in loads of excess fabric at the front armscye [can’t work out why] and the counter-intuitive result that she can’t move her arm much across the body.
Back to the drawing board. After much thought, I think the only way I can do this would be
[a] recut the under sleeve completely, folding out a little at the centre, This is unlikely, as I don’t think I have any of the fabric left. I will hunt for a while though.
[b] Make a little dart on the existing pieces. As this would end up under the arm, it won’t much matter. Much.
Gah. Maybe I SHOULD invest in a fitting book… Other suggestions more than welcome btw.
Anyhew, good news.
StyleArc responded to my whinge, with a very nice email:
“Hi Elaine, we do apologise for the stress this has caused you, we will upgrade the con sheet to include the zip insertion into the pocket, also we will mention the zip pocket tutorial on the SA website.

Here’s a stab in the dark solution: perhaps the movement problem in the sleeve is because the armhole is too low? If so, a solution might be to add a gusset in the underarm. Think an American football shaped piece going width-wise under the arm to add more fabric to the underarm.
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I fitted the armhole to be fairly high and relatively close to the body [it is a jacket after all] I might try reducing the sleeve head a bit on the next fitting, and also rotating it a tad. It’s a nice width for her biceps [she has good arms from working out] so I can’t tweak an more out. She also has a very broad back so I don’t want to mess with the armhole really, it looks OK to me without the sleeve. I get what you mean with the gusset, but I’ll have to see what fabric is available [if any] Thanks!
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Glad Style Arc were so responsive. No bright ideas about your fittting conundrum I’m afraid. Sleeves are my nemesis. None of my (many) fitting books seem to address mobility issues. I don’t care if it looks perfect I just want to be able to move dammit 🙂
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I ummed and ah-ed and walked away from it I’m afraid. I’ll have another go asap…too long thinking it over and it will end in the Crate of Shame. What is it about me and Moto jackets?
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Deep breath. Hang in there!
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You can do it!!
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Excellent customer service!
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Great service. I’m way behind on blog reading and you have probably finished this by now so I won’t try to solve your fitting problem.
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lol it was a beast!
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