December 14, 2010

SHHHHHHH - IT'S A SECRET.........................

Confession.  Can I keep a secret?  By all means I can.  If you ask me not to tell, I can most certainly keep your secret.  But when it comes to keeping my own secret, is it that easy - not so much.  I've had a secret since Saturday before last, December 4th, and it's been eating me up.  I haven't posted in ten days because I just knew I'd probably blab it all out - and guess what, that is just what I'm about to do...

May I present to you my Lady Faye Coat.  Here she stands in what once was my living room amidst all the clutter that use to resided in my sewing room (but yet, that's another story).
 


I had planned an all out photo shoot this past Saturday with me styling my new coat, but just wasn't feeling it so that appointment got postponed.  The photo shoot will happen very soon and I will post pics of me wearing my laborious results.  The fit is good, but since our temperatures dropped at least 25 degrees below normal, I really don't think it will be warm enough for me (I am EXTREMELY cold natured to the point that I really need to live in a tropical local).  By the way, I decided to remove the flannel interlining because it made the coat weight about a thousand pounds.

Why did I change the name of the coat?  Well, I just felt that since the thing took me so long to complete, caused me to second guess myself and over think the process more than any other garment ever had, she should be named after me.  When I was recently asked if  I loved the coat I had to  say "I really can't say that I love it, but I do like it a lot.  Maybe I'm not in love with it because it took me so long to complete, but I'm sure that with time I will fall in love with her.  I did learn a lot in the process, and tried techniques that I never dreamed I'd do.  Hopefully we will have a long and lasting relationship, and maybe,  just maybe one day I might see my way clear to make a spring version just like her. 

Now I've got my sewing life back!!! (Me jumping for joy)  For months I've had "sewing project images" flying around in my head that it's been hard to focus on just one project.  I have got to get some of these images out of my head and bring them to life before I explode!  First up is this really cute skirt, Vogue 7937.


This weekend I did up a not so quick and dirty muslin and so far so good.  I'm making view B in guess what - a home deco faux suede in chocolate brown.  This is the first time I've used such a fabric, and I am really excited about the possibilities.  I'm using a size 16 needle which is really helping.  The skirt has top stitched seams front and back, and I'm using a new technique that I learned about while making my coat.   I'd like to give proper credit for the idea but can't remember where I read about it.  Maybe you've tried it already but just in case you haven't, it's done by threading three threads through your machine through the same the same needle.  I was only able to get two threads through the needle, but it does make my top stitching (done using my longest stitch) more noticeable.  Now I'm wondering what it would look like using different color threads - mmmm might have to try that one out.  I've underlined the skirt (I do plan on keeping warm) and will also add a lining.  Can't wait to get it finished because there are many other project images screaming to get out next.


Sewing Room Update:  Well, all four walls now have paint on them.  One and a half walls still need a second coat.  Trim, doors and windows still need to be painted, and then the ceiling is still crying out for some attention too.  It's a really S-l-o-w go, but I know it will be worth it when it's finished.  The room already looks much larger and of course so much more brighter....

32 comments:

  1. It looks utterly FANTASTIC! Or should I say, Fayetastic! Great job. And I know that wonderful feeling of having your sewing life back. I was SO glad to be finished that coat.

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  2. Faye, she is absolutely gorgeous!

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  3. She's beautiful! I can't wait to see you in it!

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  4. Love the new name - and the word Fayetastic has been added to my dictionary! Special thanks to K. Line...
    :)Deb M.

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  5. GORGEOUS!!! And the name is perfect! I'm also of the nature where I should be living in a tropical climate instead of blustery and bitterly cold Minnesota :-)

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  6. Go on with your bad self...you and Lady Faye!

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  7. Your coat is beautiful and the color is great!

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  8. Beautiful gorgeous coat and a worthy name!!! Ahhh. Just gorgeous. Can't wait to see it modeled.

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  9. She is BEAUTIFUL. I am so glad you did not choose black fabric. I love black, but don't you think coats should be bright during the dreary days? Colorful coats are so stylish. I love her. Well done!!!!!!!

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  10. Anonymous12/14/2010

    I love your Lady Faye! Gorgeous. And I am so jealous--new sewing room!!!

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  11. congrats on your new coat, its stunning, the color is so vibrant your should be very pround.

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  12. It's fantastic Faye! You did an awesome job. I like your pin as well. After all that hard work you must feel free as a bird to have it done. I hope the weather warms up so you can use it.

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  13. Fab coat - looking to your pics!

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  14. You Lady Faye looks fantastic, definitely worth all the hard work!

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  15. Congratulations!!! She's beautiful.

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  16. Congratulations on finishing Lady Faye. It turned out beautifully! What an accomplishment. And you were worried!

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  17. Congrats, Your lady Faye is gorgeous!! I made an "ooh" out loud when I read about the chocolate brown suede. Sounds great.
    I also topstitch with the doubled thread and longer stitch length if I want the topstitching to stand out. I might have picked it up from the same place you did, who knows?? Can't remember either.

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  18. Absolutely beautiful! That color is amazing!!

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  19. Oh Faye, she is beautiful! :)

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  20. LOVE your coat - it's very beautiful, the colour is gorgeous!

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  21. She's beautiful! Can't wait to see how you style her. Definitely a labour of love.
    Angela

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  22. Yay!!! See, coats aren't so bad to make, right?! Nice work.

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  23. The Lady Faye is beautiful! I can't wait to see it on you, because that color is so nice.

    I love that vogue skirt. I might just take a gander at that pattern, after Christmas is over and I can breathe again!

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  24. It looks beautiful! I'm actually trying to add interlining after I originally decided against it. I'm still so far behind... oh well. I can't wait to see your full on photoshoot!

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  25. Ooh Faye, your Lady Faye coat is aboslutely gorgeous!!! Waiting for your reveal day has not disappointed you really knocked this coat out. I love the color and the lining. Can't wait to see you wearing it. Now, I know why you made that little slip of the tongue (Lady Faye. I mean...) You are so funny and a secret you can keep. As soon as I make something, I have to wear it. (lol)
    Fantastic job!!!!

    BTW, loving that sewing room. Coming together nicely.

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  26. Congratulations on finishing the coat! It's beautiful, and I love the pin on the lapel.

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  27. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! Love the "Lady Faye Coat"! So worth all of the frustration (easy for me to say, it wasn't me...LOL!) I can't wait to see you in it! Really anxious to see the skirt when done too.

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  28. Lady Faye, love it!! Looks great, congratulations! It's quite the accomplishment.

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  29. Lady Fay it is. It's a beautiful coat and the color is awesome

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  30. Well done! Lady Faye has arrived :)

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  31. Faye your coat looks smashing and I can't wait to see you in it. Lady Faye is right on. Now I know you are just sewing along on those long awaited skirts, which look challenging too. I will be checking your site for the next completed project(s). Congratulations girl!

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  32. That coat is beautiful and appropriately named.I'm glad you are getting your those sewing images out of your head and on to your cutting table. Bravo!

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