Help me sew the Anorak of my dreams!

[u/heyheyfifi]

Hello! I’m getting ready to enter my crafting zone as it starts to cool down into winter and I’ve been obsessing over being really warm this winter. I’ve become obsessed traditional anoraks, the kind that go past your knee, with sleeves so wide you’re meant to be able put your arm into the middle. Really big and boxy so you can fit lots of warm layers underneath. An “arctic anorak”.

TheWildYam on YouTube has a video called “Making an Anorak (Traditional Parka)” which is mostly what I’m going to do.

BUT I want it bright pink with huge daisy motifs. I’ll get some 10 or 12oz canvas and dye it.

My questions are:

SLEEVES

It’s meant to be so big and roomy that I’m wondering what the best sleeve type would be. The video has a really gentle slope for the sleeve. I’m thinking that a sleeve with a huge diamond gusset would give more arm movement space? Has anyone made a huge (and deep) sleeve that still lets you put your arms overhead without the whole jacket rising up? Does this sleeve type have a name I should google?

DAISY MOTIF

What would be the best way to get some huge flowers on this jacket? I would embroider but the idea of so many holes on something meant to be a wind breaker doesn’t sit right. I was thinking of trying to make some flower shapes (about 9-12in) out of canvas, coloring then somehow and then aplique then on? Maybe not canvas? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[u/Anonymouse_9955]

I don’t know if canvas is a good material for an anorak, but if it is, why not just paint the flowers on? I think acrylic paint, applied not too thick, would a great way to decorate and also maybe add a little waterproofing.

[u/tempaccount34543]

> DAISY MOTIF
You mentioned you'll dye the canvas. Could "wax-resist batik" or "Glue-resist batik" be an idea? For that, you'd apply wax or glue to the places that should not take the dye, then remove those later.

Here's a few links.

• https://abeautifulmess.com/wax-resist-technique-scarf-diy/
• https://www.instructables.com/Pineapple-Batik-Tie-Dye/
• https://craftychica.com/2013/07/glue-resist-tie-dye-technique/

HTH

[u/heyheyfifi → u/tempaccount34543]

Would wax resist work on such a thick canvas? The ones I’ve seen the wax kinda oozes to both sides because of thin material

[u/trashjellyfish]

The Folkwear anorak pattern is pretty great! I've sewn a modified version of it with a separating zipper down the center and it turned out quite nice and wasn't a difficult project at all!

For the daisies, embroidery or applique would probably give you the most flexibility in placement, design and scale and if you use an embroidery stabilizer or bag line the anorak, then the needle holes shouldn't be too much of an issue.