Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen jackets...
Fabrics that press with a nice shot of steam,
These are a few of my favorite things!
Well, there is nothing like not blogging in a really long time, only to come back with a wool coat in July. In full disclosure, I have been sewing a lot of pink things lately, and am keeping my hypocrisy and shame to myself.
But THIS coat, I am in love with.
I love it. LOVE it.
This is my second go-around with this pattern. The last version was a couple/6 years ago, not blogged, but worn a lot. It's a good length for errand running--I don't sit on it in the car, it doesn't choke me, and the sleeves are short enough I can keep it on in stores without overheating or knocking crap off shelves. (This is beginning to sound like I have a terrible life; not true!) It's kind of cape-y, but not!
Pattern: Simplicity 5415 (copyright 1964)
Fabric: green/gray wool coating, gray bemberg for lining
Notions: interfacing from fashion sewing supply, two different weights
buttons salvaged from retired coat
In anycase, the old version was getting pill-y, and the wool blend was never really great to feel along my neck, and well, it was Catholic school uniform plaid. Or at least, my Catholic school uniform plaid. So it's literally a step up when I say this new version reminds me of my high school coat.
The green/gray wool is something I purchased at Fabric Recycles, along with the gray bemberg lining, but not together. I had originnally planned to reuse the navy lining from my old coat, but that was a bitch to take out, and I realized I had enough of this, so that was that.
I did a couple of things differently this time:
1. I added single welt pockets at the front. A jacket without pockets is not a good time. Last time I added patch pockets smaller than illustrated, and they were very useful.
2. I used bound button holes, using the spacing from the longer version.
3. I added a hanging loop. Which is really cool, but very underwhelming when typed out like that.
And might I add, I've figured out how to do the bound button holes with a lining without teaching my children eight new inappropriate words. Ignore the next part if you don't care, this is a note me for next time.
Dear future Joanne:
Cut and press the windows on the lapel facing, but don't slip stitch the sandwich closed. Bag the lining. THEN finish slip stitching the button holes. It's okay to have flappy windows in the facing till you get back to them. Also, you actually did the top button hole all the way, and it was okay. : )
PS. Interfacing the window hole didn't work--it was too bulky.
PPS..Whack the crap out of finished button holes to make them lay flat. Like really. People should come running to see what the noise is. And steam. Lots.
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen jackets...
Fabrics that press with a nice shot of steam,
These are a few of my favorite things!
Well, there is nothing like not blogging in a really long time, only to come back with a wool coat in July. In full disclosure, I have been sewing a lot of pink things lately, and am keeping my hypocrisy and shame to myself.
But THIS coat, I am in love with.
I love it. LOVE it.
This is my second go-around with this pattern. The last version was a couple/6 years ago, not blogged, but worn a lot. It's a good length for errand running--I don't sit on it in the car, it doesn't choke me, and the sleeves are short enough I can keep it on in stores without overheating or knocking crap off shelves. (This is beginning to sound like I have a terrible life; not true!) It's kind of cape-y, but not!
Pattern: Simplicity 5415 (copyright 1964)
Fabric: green/gray wool coating, gray bemberg for lining
Notions: interfacing from fashion sewing supply, two different weights
buttons salvaged from retired coat
In anycase, the old version was getting pill-y, and the wool blend was never really great to feel along my neck, and well, it was Catholic school uniform plaid. Or at least, my Catholic school uniform plaid. So it's literally a step up when I say this new version reminds me of my high school coat.
The green/gray wool is something I purchased at Fabric Recycles, along with the gray bemberg lining, but not together. I had originnally planned to reuse the navy lining from my old coat, but that was a bitch to take out, and I realized I had enough of this, so that was that.
I did a couple of things differently this time:
1. I added single welt pockets at the front. A jacket without pockets is not a good time. Last time I added patch pockets smaller than illustrated, and they were very useful.
2. I used bound button holes, using the spacing from the longer version.
3. I added a hanging loop. Which is really cool, but very underwhelming when typed out like that.
Cool change #1
Cool change #2
Cool change #3
And might I add, I've figured out how to do the bound button holes with a lining without teaching my children eight new inappropriate words. Ignore the next part if you don't care, this is a note me for next time.
Dear future Joanne:
Cut and press the windows on the lapel facing, but don't slip stitch the sandwich closed. Bag the lining. THEN finish slip stitching the button holes. It's okay to have flappy windows in the facing till you get back to them. Also, you actually did the top button hole all the way, and it was okay. : )
PS. Interfacing the window hole didn't work--it was too bulky.
PPS..Whack the crap out of finished button holes to make them lay flat. Like really. People should come running to see what the noise is. And steam. Lots.
Pockets are lined with leftover polka dot scraps. (Secret polka dots)
And two more pictures just because:
Hands in pockets...
...and blurry back.
My oldest son took pictures for me, and you have to hand it to a kid who doesn't ask why Mom's wearing a coat and long-sleeved shirt with shorts when it's 110 degrees outside.
