A Coat for My Sister
December 24, 2008
So I’ve been sitting on these pictures for months. I started this coat at the end of August. I finished everything except the buttons and buttonholes in September, I put those babies on at the beginning of the month so I could mail it. Buttons and buttonholes are among my least favorite things to sew. Second only to hand sewing. And there was quite a bit of hand sewing with this garment.
This is New Look 6738. I don’t remember which size I made because it was for my sister who is quite a bit smaller than me. I didn’t adjust anything. The only thing different from the instructions, which were very clear, was that I added lining. Oh man. I really just winged it and sewed it all in by hand except for the bit at the collar. That took ages. But I think it looks fine.
Both the fashion fabric and the lining were from the thrift store. I got the herringbone quite some time ago, along with the pattern. Originally I was going to make this for myself. But then I decided to make it for my sister as a joint Christmas and birthday present.
The bare bones of the thing: I added two welt pockets in the lining. One on the right side and one in the back, a secret pocket that only the wearer knows about. I was aided by several online tutorials for the pockets but I just googled it, so I don’t have a helpful link to share. The “tag” is just a piece of rayon tape that I sewed a boxy design on. There are no pockets. I wasn’t ready for that challenge, although I think they could be added in the front princess seams. There wasn’t enough fabric for the undercollar, so I used some vintage forest green velvet instead. The fabric is very thick. Very very thick. So that was a learning experience in dealing with fuzz and quite the ironing challenge. The coat is fully lined, and on the inside front I embroidered my sister’s initials. My embroidery skills are challenged at best, but I wanted to give the coat a bit of an old school feel. (Sorry ’bout the bad picture, I was less than pleased with how wrinkly it looked.)
Will I make it again? Maybe for myself, but not for certain. I have too many other things I’d like to make. This was a very simple coat all in all. It was my first time putting in a lining and that was the hardest part. She opened it up today and I hear she liked it lots. Phew. Merry Christmas, MAC!
Snowflakes in my kitchen
December 20, 2008
I made a bunch of snowflakes the other day for our holiday e-card. Then I got carried away with it. Making snowflakes was really fun, I hadn’t done it in so long. Once we took the picture I didn’t know what to do with them. The only space where they seemed to work was above the kitchen table. They look very Anthropologie-ish to me, which is good. I think it must be a lot of fun, and hard work, to make their window displays. The snowflakes are strung on red & white twine, and hung at a height beyond my cat’s reach. She was caught with one attached to her yesterday morning. With tape.
I just used tacks and pushed them into the ceiling, which is a cottage cheese ceiling, and boy those these are killer if they land in your eye. So if you try this on such a ceiling, watch out! (oh and the blue thing is a big paper ball that came with an Anthro gift card.)
La neve
It’s been a very wintry week. Snow and then ice/snow, and then melted for a day, then snow again. Right now it’s perfect snow globe weather out. Chris and I went for a short walk around the block. Then my fingers went numb. I know, totally wimpy. In my small world of sewing, I have been making new things, but nothing post worthy yet. Now, to make some tea.
