Week 4: Squadron Bomber Jacket

I have been so grateful to make it this far, (further than I ever have in other competitions) to week 4 of Season 3 in Project Run and Play.  

So thanks for anyone who voted for the Lace Princess Grace look last week and hopefully you will like my

 Squadron Bomber Jacket.

exposed zipper pocket tutorial here at Project Run and Play

It's a military inspired, asymmetrical, pocket filled, high-collared and flannel lined jacket.

I styled the look with gray carpenter jeans, army snow boots, and RJ's monster hat he designed last winter with me.

This hat is his favorite and always gets smiles when he wears it in public.

Hat details, pictures, and original post here:

My son was the model again and my husband reminded me of this WWII tank parked in front of the National Guard right by our house.

 Jacket Construction:

The style is basically a double breasted coat, having the under-layer cross over past the center line, and the top layer passing across, but in this case the asymmetry of the top side of the coat extends up to the shoulder seam and slopes down to the center line.  This coat closes with Anorak snaps, which were large and slate in color which was perfect for my green/ gray look.

The main pockets are the waist welt pockets.  They are lined with the green fleece and are the perfect position to jam those hands in there.

The collar is a thick standing piece that tapers on the underside.  It covers the entire neck and can act as a scarf/ lower face shield.

To design it laying right, there's a break where the coat front meets the shoulder, which allows the rest of the collar to wrap around the neck.

Another favorite element are those shallow chest pockets.

I found these gray taped metallic 5" "fashion zippers" at JoAnns.  The exposed zipper trend seemed fun and masculine for these pockets.  The pockets are lined with flannel.  I took photos for a tutorial of these exposed zippers, the technique I used is similar to sewing welt pockets.
I have a tutorial planned for these exposed zipper pockets hopefully available in the next few days!

I would love to have made this with a nice wool.  But it's itchy, scratchy, expensive and dry clean only.  So I stuck with the sweatshirt fleece, as I did with my husband's dress coat I made him for Christmas.  

The whole jacket is fully lined with black buffalo plaid flannel.

To me the lining is what makes a big difference in coats being homemade looking or polished.  I've made things unlined in the past, which works, but it definitely takes your garment up a notch if it's lined in my opinion.

The layer of sweatshirt fleece and flannel makes this a pretty warm coat.  Not a puffy parka, but a good transition coat for when it's too chilly for a hoodie but not quite cold enough for the huge puffer snow coat.

RJ really wanted to get up to get a closer look at the gun, and once I put him up there he doesn't look so sure. 

You can also wear the collar down and open if it's too much up at your face, or if you just want to look cool like I did in 1st grade only wearing one backpack strap.

We interrupt this photo shoot for a roll down the hill.

This ended up being my favorite shot, he tucked himself into the wheels, and you can get a good view of the monster hat.