- 1). Go to a high-end ski shop to look at their ski jackets. Try on several of the jackets. Bend, reach and move around, simulating the moves that you'll make while skiing. Make notes about features that you want to duplicate in your ski jacket, including colors; stretch panels sewn into sleeves and down the sides of jackets; zipper colors and styles; pocket placement and pockets that you may want to add. Pay attention to seam finishes--better jackets finish seams using lightweight seam binding. Imagine yourself skiing and think about convenient features that you want your jacket to have.
- 2). Go to a fabric store to purchase a ski jacket pattern. Consider buying a larger size if you anticipate wearing layers under your jacket--many skiers wear a base layer of clothing under their jackets to add warmth and wick moisture away from their bodies.
- 3). Purchase muslin, an inexpensive fabric that you'll use to make a jacket, and alter, before cutting your expensive Polartec® fabric. Purchase the thread and notions indicated on your pattern envelope. Consider ordering Polartec® fleece online if your fabric store doesn't offer a range of Polartec® fabrics. Buy fleece seam binding; if it's not available locally, make your own. Buy 1/4 yard of lightweight fleece online that matches or coordinates with your jacket fleece.
- 4). Buy thread, zippers and other notions at the fabric store according to the pattern directions, as well as zippers for additional pockets that you will add. Purchase a zipper foot if you don't own one--remember to note the make and model of your sewing machine before you go to the fabric store.
- 5). Select your Polartec® fabric. Consider what the weather will be like most of the time when you wear your ski jacket. Select the type of Polartec® fleece that provides the amount of warmth that you need. Choose between the three weights of Polartec® fleece: 100, 200 and 300--the higher the number, the more warmth.
- 6). Consider the water and wind resistant versions of Polartec® if warmth isn't your primary consideration. Purchase Polartec® Stretch fabric if you decide to add panels along the bottom of the sleeve and down the sides of your jacket for extra stretch. Choose the color and pattern of Polartec® fleece that you desire. Select the width of your Polartec® fleece--some fleece is available in two widths--the wider your fabric, the less fabric you need.
- 7). Make pattern pieces using newsprint or packing paper if you added pockets to your ski jacket. Make a muslin of your ski jacket. Ask a friend who sews to help you with the fitting. Make alterations. Cut your Polartec® fleece. Use the muslin pattern pieces in areas where alterations were made when cutting your Polartec® fleece.
- 8). Practice sewing and top-stitching scrap Polartec® fleece. Sew your jacket, following your pattern instructions, adding pockets and other features that you desire. Finish seams using lightweight seam binding.
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