#FAYE'S SEWING LIFE (HELD HOSTAGE BY MY SEWING PROJECT)...

...being held hostage by a sewing project isn't ALL THAT BAD!  After all, it's a rainy day in Georgia and I do have my cup of Superwoman Tea  (White Mangosteen Peach Green Tea) to power me on through with this project (Vogue 8959).

Vogue 8959 is still in process.  Started this cape for my Mother last Friday evening and of course I thought I'd finish it last Monday.  I always underestimate the time it will take to complete my projects.  I forget to factor in interruptions, the fact that I work full time, and that some evenings I'm mentally tired and just can't get any sewing done at all.  I allow myself to be HELD HOSTAGE BY MY SEWING PROJECTS in order to avoid UFO's - which really is a GOOD THING because I have so few of them in my sewing room.

What sewing project is holding you hostage this weekend???




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2016 WINTER COAT PROJECT COMPLETION...

...it's done ya'll!!!  Nineteen days start to finish.  Nineteen days start to feel like forever when you are working with the same fabric. Some days I only worked a little, and I did take 2 full days off because I just needed a break from the checked pattern.  I LOVE the coat making process and the results that it yields; just wish it wouldn't take me so long to complete the projects.

This years pattern & fabric choice: I became intrigued by this pattern after seeing it floating around sewing blog-sphere.  I loved it's oversized easy boyfriend style and it was just what I wanted for this years coat project.  The fabric was gifted to me by fellow Pericrafter member Timesa Spencer-Johnson from Fresno, California.  I knew this fabric would become a coat when I first unboxed it.

 

The Silvia Coatigan Pattern Review:
I found this German brand pattern very true to size.  Of course I used a conversion chart to help me translate the pattern's centimeter language to inches.  I was a little concerned about the waist and hip measurements so I added 1" to the side seams only have to remove the excess after fitting.

Pattern Instructions:  Sketchy with no diagrams or pictures AT ALL.
I had to call on previous coat making experience throughout the entire construction process.  Working with 3/8" seam allowances (which is what I hear is used across the board in industry) opposed to my usual 5/8" was a little strange. I had to constantly remind myself to use 3/8" (I guess 5/8" is engraved on my brain).

Alterations made to the pattern:
Added 2 1/2" to the sleeve length.  I have long arms and didn't want to chance coming up short (something that happened on a previous coat project).
Added 1 1/2" to the width of the lapel and collar as suggested by Nancy K (Nancy K Sews), and I think it was a wonderful suggestion; and the red lining per Marianna (Foxgloves and Thimbles).  I might add choosing the check over a taupe fabric I had was the general consensus of commenters.    Oh yes, and don't forget all the encouragement I get from my Mother, Inell!  It takes a village to build a coat folks.

Would I make the coat again:
I love the pockets on this coat and found them unique.  They envelope right up into the horizontal seam in the coat front.  I would definitely make this boyfriend style coat again.  I think it would be a breeze to make up in a solid fluffy weave wool of some type.  ANY FABRIC SUGGESTIONS???

UGLY-PRETTY...

...it's kinda ugly - until it gets pretty!  You know me, I like to show the whole process of my winter coat-making shenanigans.  I truly do not mean to bore you but it's good documentation for future reference.  It took 2 trips to Joann's to finally decide on the lining for this coat.  I was stuck on having a red lining as suggested by Marianna in this post.

I'm still not familiar with Joann's setup.  I had looked for lining fabric in the wrong place on the first trip.  I am trying hard not to complain about Joann's, because at least we have A fabric store.  Oh by the way, has anyone ever used satin fabric to line a coat???, just wondering...

On the second visit I was able to find a nice weight red Peach-skin.  I choose peach-skin because I really didn't want anything too shiny for a lining in this coat, I think it will work nicely.  Have you ever used peach-skin as a lining before???

I know that I'm putting myself out here with this picture - showing my secrets - I'm honest to a fault.  As in many cases, things are a little ugly before they get pretty; especially when you decide in mid-process that maybe you should remove some of the fusible interfacing - ugggh.

I am a firm believer that the insides should be as pretty as the outside, but truth is - it doesn't ALWAYS happen that way...

 

BIRTHDAY SEWING...

...yes today was the day, and a very nice one I must say!  My birthday always signals the the start of Christmas Vacation so I spent the weekend working on my 2016Winter Coat Project.  It already seems like the coat taking forever - even though it really isn't.  Looking back at blog posts it's only been 10 days from muslin to now.  I am a slow but impatient sewist.  Is that an oxymoron?
 

Fabric prep, pattern tracing, layout and muslin

Interlining

Matching checks/plaids is easier said or done.  

I really had to fight with myself not to pad stitch the lapel and collar because this coat was designed for soft tailoring.

Finish Line List:

1. Construct lining and attach to front facing
2. Attach lining and front facing to coat
3. Hem sleeves and coat bottom
4. Make buttonhole and stitch on button 

Maybe, just maybe I'll be done before Christmas...

#FAYE'S SEWING LIFE...

...firstly, thanks to everyone who tunes in to watch my 2016 Winter Coat Project - The Silvia Coatigan.  My last post about the coat asked you to help me decide which of 2 fabrics to use for the coat.  The majority of commentators said go with the checked fabric, so checks it is.

I thought it best to use a single layer fabric layout.  Using this layout is more time consuming, but will help in matching the checked print of the fabric.   As you know that means that each pattern piece has to be laid out twice.  To facilitate, I went ahead and traced the five pieces of the coat shell again.

Fours pieces lain, six to go but now it's time to go to bed.  I'll leave the rest for yet another day...

INCH BY INCH ANYTHING'S A CINCH (OR SO THEY SAY)...

...i stopped procrastinating and starting working towards what I hope will be my 2016 Winter coat before 2017 gets here.  I'm still a little undecided - but it's time to get moving. 

The Schnittchen Silvia Coatigan is what I'm shooting for.  You know, a cross between a coat and a cardigan.  It has dropped shoulders that gives it a relaxed-cozy effect.  Of course I wish I could have a peachy colored woolen fabric just like this, but with limited local resources I must work with I have.

I decided to just take this project one day at a time - inch by inch anything's a cinch (or so they say).  I'm still trying to make a final decision on the fabric to use. 

Check or Taupe

So on Sunday I pre-treated both fabrics using the dryer steam method (wet steamy towels in the dryer with the fabric for 45 minutes.

On Monday I finished tracing the pattern,

and on Tuesday I cut the muslin and stitched on Wednesday and Thursday.

I like this coat, especially the pockets.  Actually I just wanted to see if I could put it together because the instructions included are really sketchy.  My muslin looks slightly like a lab jacket but the fit is really good.

Which fabric would you use???