#BLOGLIKECRAZY 28: AND SO IT BEGINS...

...my regular readers know that I make a new coat every Fall.  And so it begins; my 2017 Winter Coat Project.  I touched on the subject a few days ago here.  The process is basically the same each year.  First I wade through a myriad of coat patterns.  Avid collector as I am; that process could take days in itself.  This year I'm hankering to experiment with faux sherling.  I am anxious to see the end results of the project; but, I am a bit apprehensive at the same time having never worked with the fabric.  As hard as it was, I made myself choose between these two patterns:

KwikSew 4197

McCall's 6656

When you are equally in love with both, it's a hard decision to make - but I chose the KwikSew Pattern because I think it's more ME, and that I will wear it more.  Some say it doesn't get cold enough in Georgia for these types of coats but I beg to differ - it was 31 degrees when I left for work this morning.  I pacified myself by promising to make View A of the McCall's pattern later this Winter.  So I'll begin tonight by starting to make adjustments to the pattern in preparation for; YES - a muslin.

Since I knew I would making a new winter coat anyways, I've joined in on the Sew Much Talent (gr) Facebook Coat Challenge.  

 The challenge ends on December 30th so I really need to get busy with this project...

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 22: IT'S ANNUAL COAT MAKING TIME!!!

...even when there is no actual sewing going on around these parts: there is still plenty of thinking about it, planning for it, and researching it.  Even now, when I am actually right in the middle of cleaning in preparation of tomorrow's company; my mind keeps drifting back to what I'd really rather be doing - sewing.  Even though there is still an unfinished sewing project in my sewing room that I am very close to completing (namely Vogue 9032 - Pants), my mind is fast forwarded to my next project.  Yes, it's time to start thinking about my annual winter coat project folks!

You've been on this COAT RIDE with me numerous times.  I do so hope that you plan on tagging along again as I work my way through this years model as well.  You know that step one of any sewing project is choosing fabric and a pattern. Well this is the fabric I've chosen

 a beautiful chocolate brown Faux Sherling or Sherpa

 I have never worked with this fabric before so I'll be stepping out my box with this.  I've collecting information about sewing the fabric from those I know who have used it before. These are some of the things I have learned so far.

• No pressing, just use steam or finger pressing
• I'll need to use a larger size or Jean Needle
• Use a slightly longer stitch than usual
• Use clips rather than pin
• Use topstitching or home deck thread on top and regular thread for the bobbin
• Keep a vaccumn cleaner handy to collect all the fluff that will be produced

Have you ever worked with this fabric before?  If so, any tips/techniques that you could provide in the comments would be greatly appreciated.

Now for my pattern pics:
 

I've been in amour with McCall's 6656 since it's release a few years back.  While I really like View B and plan to make it someday soon, I am thinking seriously about making View C this go round.  I do worry that the collar is to large however.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, there's this pattern.  Kwik Sew 4197 that caught my eye a while ago, and it is still high up on my "Love" list with it's slightly asymerical front hemline.

The coats require about the same yardage, and I like the exposed seaming of both  This type of fabric lends itself to a kind of feminine Western look.  So I guess over the next couple of days I'll direct my thoughts towards choosing between these two patterns.  It's going to be a real toss up...