December 11, 2011

BABY IT'S COLD OUT HERE....

Hello there fellow sewing bloggers!  I'm glad you've tuned in to my very first December post.  Haven't posted recently, but I have been quite busy altering several garments so I would have something really warm to wear.  I had  significant weight loss last year, and although I've gained 10 pounds back, miraculously I did not gain all the inches back - Praise God!  But, that created a little problem that I finally took time to fix because some of my garments had become way too large for me.

Posted here is my wool tweed suit that I made a couple of years ago - it was swimming on me so I had to take in both the jacket and the pants last weekend.  I felt that the amount of time put into the initial construction made the suit worthy of fixing.  And as you know, altering can sometimes be just as time consuming as actual garment construction.  It was worth the time because I now have pieces that are again comfortable as well as attractive to wear.  Too big is not attractive or comfortable.


Secondly, last weeks 35 to 45 degree morning temperatures have prompted me to pull out (not jackets) but coats. I'M REALLY COLD NATURED...as it pertains to temperatures and weather that is, and at school we didn't have heat at all one day.  There was even talk of the possibility of snow - oh Lord please not yet!  So I pulled this RTW midi coat from the back of the closet.  Its old, but I've probably only worn it 2 or 3 times because I just didn't like the length.  I decided to shorten it.


BEFORE
AFTER
I removed a total of 9 inches, hand hemmed both the coat and lining, and re-secured all the buttons.  RTW buttons are never sewn on securely.  Now with a scarf and maybe a pretty broach, I have a nice slightly below the knee red statement coat.  I'm glad I made this decision.  I like red if I can find just the right shade, I'm not an orange/red person.


My Chanel suit is still hanging in the closet begging to be taken in - yes, both the jacket and the skirt - and the jacket is quilted.  Mmmmm got to figure that one out soon.  But with those two projects completed, I can now mentally ready move on to some NEW creation - yet to be decided on. Wonder what it will be...
 

9 comments:

  1. Looks like you're ready for winter!

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  2. Repairing/refashioning is always hard yards but so satisfying. Well done. Love the red coat.

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  3. Kudos to you on two fronts - first the weight loss. That's a wonderful accomplishment.

    Second, altering your garments to get more wear from them. That suit is beautiful and definitely worth the effort.

    I need to do the same with a cashmere I jacket I put my heart and soul into. It is too big now and I really need to take care of that. Thanks for the motivation.

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  4. Wow! Altering is a job that I hate! But, considering how wonderfully made your things are, I don't blame you. Congrats on the weight loss. That has got to happen here!!!!

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  5. I hope to have the same problem and soon!

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  6. I saw your sideline and thought "you're making 20 pair of black pants?" :) Congrats on doing such a great job of refashioning, that is so challenging! The suit is so worth it, and I love the red coat. Stay warm.

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  7. First of all, congratulations on your weight loss. It's not an easy thing to do. And baby, it's cold in Chicago too. Tee Hee. A warm coat is definitely in order. Good thing is you've taken the time to make this beautiful winter ready for you. Stay warm
    C

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  8. Congrats on the weight loss. Alterations are so hard for me and ended up giving away several suits. Only recently, did I try my hands at a minor alteration, which were 2 blouses so far. It wasn't as bad as I though.

    Totally like your idea of shortening the coat and it came out great. Now its making me look at the maxi coat I have and way too long for me.

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