February 21, 2013

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!!!FINISHED FEARLESS FEBRUARY & CAMERA WOES...

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE:  After a heartfelt speech (no accusations), just a plea for help to me FIND my camera  - it was returned to me at the end of my second class on Friday.  Love is restored, and this just teaches me to be more careful in the future!!!





...Well, I finished my Fearless February project on Sunday evening.  Although I so wanted to post pictures of it then, I waited until I wore it for the first time today.  Now I wish I had taken pictures on the dressform - maybe I'd still have my little baby point and shoot camera!   Yes, you see, my little Cannon Powershot all of a sudden GREW SOME LEGS and took a hike today.  I'm about as mad as that lion in the picture looks right now - but must move on.  So I'll be posting these cell phone shots of my finished project.

My little infinity scarf from 2011 and the taupe mock neck sweater paired up nicely with my jacket.  Thanks for the idea Cecil!



I'm trying hard to crack a smile although I'm steaming mad about my camera.

A student inspired pose



Now for my little summary of the project:
  • I keep saying - "IT TOOK ME A WHOLE MONTH TO FINISH THIS JACKET!".  I started on January 19th (felt I needed a head start), and finished on February 16th.  But the truth of the matter is, I rarely worked on it at all during the week, but rather spent entire weekends with this step by step tailoring endeavor.
  • I LOVE THE JACKET!, and wish that I had made it a long time ago.  Thanks to the Fearless February Challenge I finally decided to whip it right up (yeah right).
  • It was a real labor of love.  You know me, I do not like projects that take over a week to complete.
  • I think it fits WONDERFULLY!  It is so comfortable too -  not too snug nor is it pulling anywhere.  I had good driving range while wearing it (something I'm always concerned with).  Who wants to drive in a straight jacket???
  • I LOVE THE COLOR, and am glad I chose it rather than the rust, black or camel alternatives that I toyed with.
  • I searched for buttons like a mad woman, but could not find any that I liked that were the correct size locally.  I finally (at the last minute) had to break down and order the ones that Erica and Lori used on their jackets from Mood.  But I'll tell you what, if I EVER for some reason decide to get rid of the jacket - I will be removing and storing the buttons in a very safe place.
  • The sleeve construction (which was a scary area) went so very well - I am completely happy with them and will be hand basting all set in sleeves from now on.
  • As for the collar/front facing/lining attachment method (the other scary area)- OMGoodness!, I've never liked it, and probably never will.  If you sew one minute stitch past that DOT (you know what I'm talking about), the collar is a mess to turn.
  • (Scary area #3), the button holes were not that bad at all.  The fabric was so very thick that I chose a #16 denim needle that worked like a charm.  The button placement (getting them aligned properly) was another story however.  After removing and resewing three of them several times - I just let it go cause I needed to finish this thing up people!
  • While finishing up I remember thinking "well this one pattern I can trash cause I won't be making it again".  But on second thought, I've been toying with the idea of making it again but going strictly by the pattern instructions rather than incorporating any tailoring techniques just to see how long it would take to construct.  Alas, this is one of those MAYBE ONE DAY thoughts.
I think that's about all for my summary.  Now it's time to round up all the pattern pieces, get them safely tucked back into their envelope and move on to some of the simpler things of life - like some instant gratification sewing!

Now just a few shout outs and I'll be done.  Thanks to:
  • Victoria for sponsoring a challenge that took me out of my comfort zone.  (Though I'm about ready to get back to it for a while)
  • Erica and Lori for making jackets that inspired me to make mine
  • Ebony for the fabric
  • My sister Pat and niece Brenda who helped me with initial fitting efforts
  • Rochelle and Cecil who helped me tween with email pictures
  • Everyone who comment and cheered me on, especially my Mama...
Sounds a bit like an Academy Awards acceptance speech!

71 comments:

  1. This jacket is wonderful Faye, simply wonderful!

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  2. The jacket is beautiful. I love the color!

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    1. Thank you so much, I'm in love with the color!

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  3. OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH. This is so nice, and the color is just lovely. Well done!

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  4. You certainly do have a jacket that could easily be worn to an awards night, like tonight.
    Great work Faye!

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    1. Yes, and it was a wonderful awards night (lol)!

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  5. Your jacket looks so pretty, the color is outstanding! So sorry about your camera, maybe it will turn up.

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  6. I love the happy color of your jacket!

    The little bugger grew legs?

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  7. Congratulations Faye. Your jacket was well worth all that time it took to complete. It looks fantastic and the colour is perfect.

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  8. It looks fantastic and the fit is superb!! Congrats on facing your fear and finishing with fantastic results! (sorry about the camera though!)

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    1. Thank you Kyle! There are several other sewing fears that I need to attach this year too.

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  9. Gorgeous jacket, Faye, you look wonderful. Sorry about your camera.

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    1. Thank you Lori. Your pink jacket was a great source of inspiration and thanks for cheering me on.

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  10. Girl you had me laughing about so many things you said but you look very polished in your complete ensemble. Love the taupe top with that color and the infinity scarf added just the right amount of contrast. Lovely...yeah! Make it again. I think you will feel more comfortable with making jackets the more of them that you do.
    Cecil

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    1. Thanks for helping me critique by email Cecil, and for helping me put the outfit together.

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  11. I forgot to add that you did an absolutely beautiful job and I agree...you chose the best color. It will work with so many pieces.

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  12. Bravo !!! It is beautiful ! The color is a delight.

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  13. Congrata Faye! All the hard work and dedication truly paid off!! ;) and i love the color u chose! Perfect!

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  14. This is gorgeous! I love the happy color. Well worth all the work!

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    1. You are so right Uta, the color does make me happy!

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  15. Faye I'm so happy to see you finally wearing your jacket and I LOVE the colour... it's perfect on you and far more exciting. You put so much effort into this jacket and it really shows as it looks fabulous on you... well done... yeh... you accomplished your Fearless February Challenge!! Woohooo... cheers from the audience at the "Sewing Academy Awards" LOL. This is one jacket you will definitely get lots of wear out of for sure!

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    1. Oh... shame about your camera... hope it finds it's legs and walks back home to you where it belongs :)

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    2. Thank you for cheering me on Chris!

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  16. Stunning jacket! The cut, colour and sewing details are are just perfect!
    I do hope someone has a twinge of conscious, and returns your camera. It's horrible to lose something like that in a place you felt was safe. It breaks trust and becomes a bigger loss than just the camera.

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    1. Thank you Ebony!, and thank you so much for the fabric too! If you ever want to visit it, you know where we live (lol).

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  18. Beautiful jacket, Faye! All of your effort shows and the color is wonderful. I am so glad fashion has transitioned from that constant black/gray mode. Yay for color!

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    1. Yes, yay for color and my recent attempts to migrate to some of it!

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  19. WoW... your jacket is Gorgeous. .. love the color, style, buttons. .. pure gorgeous.

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  20. Jacket looks great - it would indeed be interesting to see how a by-the-instruction-sheet version takes in woman-hours verses this version :)

    (P.S. So sorry about your camera :( )

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    1. Yes Claire we know how precious woman-hours are too. Maybe, just maybe I'll try to fit one in.

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  21. Sorry about your camera. Your jacket is lovely!! You did a great job on the jacket. This is a good color for you.

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    1. Thank you Joyce. I think the color is a good fit too!

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  22. Love the jacket. It looks fantastic!!!

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  23. It looks wonderful and was worth the effort! What a happy color for winter.

    I'm so sorry about your camera. How upsetting!

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    1. Clio I'm sure you understand the effort after that beautiful leather jacket you designed. Thank you!

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  24. Faye, the jacket looks great and fits you perfectly! What a wonderful job you did...I know you're feeling a huge sense of accomplishment with this completed project...great job!!

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  25. Rock it, Faye!! Your jacket is divine! I am so proud of you for working through your fears about tackling this jacket. You go!!

    As for the camera, what goes around comes around. You may never know or hear about it, but know those legs will get tired of running after a while.

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    1. Thank you Lynn. Funny you should say "rock it". That's my new mantra - rocking it!

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  26. Your jacket is fabulous!! Where did you buy it?! So sorry about the camera though. :(

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  27. Great job on that jacket. I love a bright, pretty color for a jacket in the dreary winters. I don't know what color it actually is, but in the photos it looks like something I would call "raspberry". Super looking!

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    1. Thank you Gwen! Raspberry, that it! You are so right. At first I thought the fabric was purple, but after trying to match it up with a print lining that contained purple - quickly found that it wasn't. I've been calling it plum, but you are right, it is raspberry! Thanks.

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  28. Your jacket is just gorgeous. lovely color, great fit and style. Have fun wearing it. I know you will get lots of compliments. As for the camera, I can imagine how upset you are, for many reason.

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    1. Audrey I am having fun wearing it, and it did gain a lot of compliments.

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  29. Wow, so much went into it and it looks amazing, wow, I love that color, everything, just everything, beautiful work/

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  30. Anonymous2/24/2013

    Your jacket came out beautifully!! It fits perfectly and I LOVE that colour. So cheerful and bright! Nice job.

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  31. Love it Faye. Its beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Darling Melanie. What are you working on???

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  32. WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!! Faye you've done gone and done it Lady!!! What a SPECTACULAR coat. The Color, Style, Fit---all PURE perfection!!!! LOL about the "comfort zone"---that always seems to be my favorite place to hang out too! LOL!!! But seriously, I like how you highlighted your "scary areas" and how they ended up not being as scary as you thought. That was the same with me after sewing my 2 pair of pants. Made me wonder what I was so scared about all this time......

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    1. Thanks for the challenge Victoria! I'm so pleased with my finished product, fit color and all. My jacket is not perfect of course, but it darned close. I'm so glad I took your challenge caused it yielded me a new peacoat!

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  33. That color is the BEST! I love this jacket so much. You look fabulous in it.

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  34. oh my - it's absolutely gorgeous ! The color is so cheery !

    So glad your camera found its way back to you :-)

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  35. Your jacket is fabulous! I love the color you chose! You are sure to get a lot of wear out of this one.

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  36. you look stunning in this jacket! The color is magnificent with your complexion! I agree, you should definitely make another!

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  37. i love it. The color is so flattering and it fits beautifully! Great job!

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  38. I love that jacket! The color is great, and this model definitely suits you very well, and it is well made. I'm so glad you got your camera back too!

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  39. I am soooo late but I LOVE IT! Fabulous, fabulous jacket!

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  40. I'm late to this party! Faye it's amazing! The color and style are SO great on you! Nicely done!

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