February 15, 2014

VERA COAT UPDATE: SLEEP AND RISE, SLEEP AND RISE...

...it never ceases to amaze me how the Bible plays such an important role in my life.  What in the world, you might ask, does the Bible have to do with my "Vera" coat?  Well depending on what I'm involved in or doing at any given time, (be it a situation, a conversation or even a sewing project) a Bible verse that seriously applies pops into my mind.  For instance, this morning while - you know - slaving working on the "Vera" coat this is what popped up...

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

Yes, for two weeks that's what I've done with every spare minute; Sleep, and rise night and day to work on this coat.  This verse found in Mark 4:27 does promise a positive end to all this sleeping and rising night and day.

The lining construction did  begin last night, but not after hours of sitting, thinking, and contemplating what would be the best way to bring this project to a end.  At first it felt like wasted time, but I now I think I made the best choice.  First, the pattern calls for the bodice being lined with fashion fabric which I think would make it too bulky.  Instructions also call for using lining only for the skirt of the coat without the benefit of a facing.  I thought this would put too much stress on my fashion fabric if that makes sense.  The issue:  what fabric to  combine with my actual lining to finish this coat off.

Of course I've read all the review on this pattern, and thought the best solution for me and this fabric was one used by Tany at Couture et Tricot.  She found a solution for this same pattern and also the Blue Orchid jacket that she had made.  You can read about it here interesting.  A great solution, however; I am not familiar with the serge fabric she used.  Hours later I made a final decision - so I'm using a light weight woven suede.  The woven suede was used for the center back and front sections of the bodice and also used to make  a front facing for the skirt part of the coat.

Bodice Back

Bodice Front

Lining Front

All is well except I ran short of my crape back lining fabric and had to pull the best I had in my stash for the sleeves.  This is the first time, please tell me I'm not the only one to every do this.

Probably won't meet my goal today, but a day or two over won't be that bad.  Sorry for the italicized post don't know what happened...


19 comments:

  1. This is an excellent solution! This looks so good that at first I thought you were working on a new black suede coat. Your work is always so inspiring. And goodness, no, we use different things for sleeve linings all the time, especially if we want something more "slippery" to make it easier to get a coat on and off. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Juliane that woven suede really was a good choice.

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  2. Your coat is looking seriously beautiful. Very, very inspiring to see all your hadwork.

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  3. Still looking good Faye. You sound like your pushing yourself too hard on this one. I hope you are taking time to relax a bit over the weekend!!God Bless!

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    1. You are right Diana, I have really pushed myself on this one.

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  4. I thought you were working on a second coat. The lining is beautiful. I don't know Faye,, I think you should consider making another coat that looks exactly like the lining. Of course on the second coat you could take all the time you want, no deadline.Your coat lining is just beautifullll!

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    1. Thank you Alethia. This is the second time I've eve used crape back satin as a lining. I LOVE IT TOO!

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  5. Your coat is looking fantastic..You always do such a wonderful job.. Can't wait to see the finished product. Happy sewing.

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  6. This coat will be amazing and all your hardwork will pay off very soon. I like how you can relate this to a Bible verse and share it with us. I have had to use different linings in a jacket before. My most common item is almost run out of thread. Then I save the matching for the topstitching or buttonholes and use something close for the seams.

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    1. Thank you Lori. Yes indeed, I run out of thread occasionally too. I've used almost two 250 yd spools on this project alone.

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  7. Anonymous2/16/2014

    Hi Faye! Takes a lot of courage to make a coat. Just keep going. Mary

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Mary!

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  8. Looking good, very good. You're almost there - and you'll have a gorgeous coat very soon.

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    1. Thank you so much! It's indeed an inch by inch project.

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  9. Keep rising and sleeping because this is looking soooooo good!

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  10. Thanks Carolyn. Doing a little bit every day to bring this project to a close.

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