December 14, 2017

2017 WINTER COAT UPDATE...

...time for a little update on my 2017 Winter Coat Project.  From choosing the pattern, which was really a job in itself, to muslin making and fitting, to finally getting to the point where I stopped procrastinating and cut into the actual fabric has taken what seems to be forever. 
 
All in all, I can say that some progress has been made.
As you know, I am a muslin maker.  It helps me maintain a level of confidence.  The purpose of making this muslin was of course fitting, but I it also gave me a chance to see how the overlapping of seams would work out.

The cutting process wasn't that bad at all and didn't create too much excess fluff.  The time I could manage to work on the project this week has been spent making tailors tacks (in blue) and thread tracing  (in white) all joining seams allowances of 7 out of the 8 pattern pieces. This process took 3 evenings, and although thread tracing was not suggested in the pattern instructions, I concluded that it was the most logical way of marking (for me) as not to cause damage to the fabric.  Don't judge my stitches, they are all going to be removed later on down the line.  I knew chalk would disappear too soon, so I chose thread tracing to facilitate proper placement when overlapping the edges before stitching.

I know I'm suffering from delusions of granular, but I foresee this coat being completed by the end of this weekend... 

24 comments:

  1. Wow! You’re a lot further than I thought and I truly appreciate all of your tedious thread tracing and tailor’s tacks! I know it’s going to be very beautiful, I have faith in you Ms. Faye! Can’t wait to see it and good luck!

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    1. Thank you Myra! Not having worked with this fabric has intimidated me but I am moving forward.

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  2. I can seriously relate to your saga of the winter coat. But, at least you have cut your fabric and the muslin looks good. You've even got a few weeks till the end of the year. I think my record is getting my 'winter coat' project finished in March. I wore it a few cold nights, but at least I had it for the next winter.

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    1. I truly value all the information about coat making Nancy. Even though I live in the south, our mornings have been in the low 30's already. It is nice to be able to reach in the closet and pull out one of my past coats. And it's fun too!

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  3. I absolutely agree about the thread tracing. Chalk vanishes way too quickly. You'll make fast progress knowing placement is accurate. Excited to see the finished coat!

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    1. I tried 3 different types of chalk on this fabric and none of them hardly even made a mark, so I had to take to needle and thread.

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  4. Thread tracing is my favorite method to mark seam allowance. Whenever I thread trace my projects comes out perfect!.

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    1. Mariela the thread tracing was time consuming but well worth the effort.

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  5. I have had this fabric in my stash for about two years. Planning to make a jacket but a sewing buddy cautioned that it was a bear to sew so I am waiting to see how yours turns out.

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    1. Thank you for watching Trixie, I've wanted this fabric for quite a long time and finally took the plunge this Fall. My sewing machine is not having a hard time pulling this fabric, but will need a thorough cleaning once done. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for this project.

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  6. I like the lines of your coat, and I'm hoping you get plenty of coat time this weekend! It will be beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Marjie! It would help if I could pull an all nighter - but I just can't do that anymore.

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  7. You can do it Faye! This is going to be so pretty when you get it done. I've not mastered tailors tacks--there are certainly fabrics like this where the old methods are the ones that are the right ones! I can't wait to see this all done up!

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    1. It's underway Elizabeth and the construction is not as hard as I had imagined.

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  8. Keep up the good work Faye. I know all the prep seems like forever but it make the sewing so comfortable. And thread tracing is the safest way to mark fabric

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    1. Thank you so much Marie. I am feeling much better about my progress after today. Hopefully I will be all done by the latest on Monday evening.

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  9. Anonymous12/16/2017

    Hi my creative daughter I am always happy when you are busy working on a project. Just a little sad you are doing this one with me (smile)

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    1. Oh Mama, I could never accomplish a big project without you! You, after-all are my cheerleader. I would have never completed any of my coat projects without being able to cry on your shoulder. I'm just trying hard to do less whining when coat making. I WILL ALWAYS NEED YOU!!!

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  10. It's coming along quite nicely! I am a big believer of muslins too. They certainly have helped me avert some disasters.

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    1. Tomasa muslins have proved very valuable to me time and time again. I even use them as an underlining for my garments some times.

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  11. Lookking good Faye. All your hardwork pays off when you make coats. Looking forward to seeing the final coat. And I also want to wish you a Merry Xmas and A Happy and Holy New Year.

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    1. Thank you so much Sarah! Merry Christmas to you and yours too!

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  12. Luv it Ms Faye,I did a coat out of this fabric years ago for a little girl in my church. Found it in Wal-Mart but can't find it anymore 😍😍

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