Wildly Neutral

Well, here I am again in another coat. 

But this time it is one made from the most luxurious butter soft faux suede I have ever laid my hands on. Seriously, the softest. I am pretty sure that real suede wouldn't be as nice and it is the same on both sides too! People! Do you understand that this makes the possibilities endless, endless I tell you!

One of those possibilities is fringe. 

(Cutting my own fringe still won't leave my brain. Fringe bag, fringe added to boots, fringe skirt, fringe...fringe..fringe ...fringe!!!)

 I found it at Fabricville and it comes in so many gorgeous colors that it was difficult to choose one. I went back and forth between the navy and the berry colors...many times. Now you are asking...." So why are you wearing a camel colored coat?" I couldn't choose so I went the complete opposite to what would be my typical move. Life calls for that sometimes. It was a decidedly good move... I think.

When it came to a pattern, I chose Vogue 9069. I have been eyeing up the relaxed, oversized coats that are on trend right now and wondered if  I could pull it off myself. I decided to go for it, seeing as I had already gone out on a limb and chose the camel color.

Now, you are probably thinking that I completely copied the model garment...well, yes I did but not intentionally. In the store, I flipped through the pattern books and landed on this one but the picture on the envelope is not the same as the model online and if she is in the book...well I didn't see her in her fuzzy camel bathrobe. If I did, I would have changed my mind. Guaranteed.   

This pattern is a Very Easy Vogue and it is easy.... if your sewing machine cooperates with you! Mine didn't. It was skipping stitches like crazy when I was trying to topstitch. I knew that my machine was long overdue for a tune up so off the repair shop it went. The next morning, the shop called and Andre, (aka sewing machine guru) told me that my problem with stitching this fabric was the needle I was using! WHAT!? That's it!? I needed a larger denim needle with this fabric because the fabric is spongy and closes in on the needle before the thread has a chance to catch. Problem solved. New needle paired with the walking foot and I was back in business. 

Note to self... replenish needle stash.

I love the look of the hood but in truth, I will likely never wear it up. If you have seen the model picture, you know why. It's just not a good look when the fabric drapes like this one does.

For the lining, I thought I would really step all the way out of my comfort zone and chose an animal print satin polyester. I NEVER wear animal print. Like. EVER. What is happening to me?

Well, you know what? I love it.

All said and done, I am really loving this coat and look forward to finding different ways to style it for everyday looks. I not sure that I am finished with this fabric and may head back to Fabricville for more. Black Friday's sale would be a good reason to make another fabric purchase...right? 

**disclaimer** Fabricville gifted the fabric and pattern of my choosing for this coat..wasn't that nice?! All opinions are my own...I have many. And there are no affiliate links in this post.

Dress Coat

If you come to my house for a visit, I will always ask if I can take your coat but then I'll just turn around and hang it on the banister...wanna know why? My front closet is full...embarrassingly full of my coats. No one else's...just mine. There is no possible way I could fit yours in there. I know that I could purge the collection but then how could I call it an obsession...?  I have mentioned my coat obsession way back in year one of my blogging journey....some things never change!

Cause here I have gone and made another one. A good one if I do say so myself.... I love this fabric! 

For this coat, I  used Burda 6772.  I love the design of this coat but like many others...found the instructions lacking. I was also lacking some much needed sleep at the time so that didn't help but I did manage to get through it.

I'm not a fan of a CB seam but wanted to ensure a good fit so I did my best to print match. I'm pleased with the result.

I opted to used self fabric covered buttons and large snaps. Bound button holes would have been ideal but I desperately wanted this coat to turn out and the possibility of me messing them up was highly likely at the time. Sometimes you just have to play it safe.

I chose a black Kasha lining. I think I have mentioned my love for this lining before when I used it  in my McCalls 6656 coat. This flannel backed lining adds warmth without bulk, perfect for a dress coat.

 

Me Made IRL... so I thought that I would start sharing some pictures of how I style and wear my me mades in real life. Jeans, heels, tunic and a little sparkle.

Lumberjack Chic

I don't want to bore you with another one of the capes I have made but....I think that this might be my favorite! I love the pop of white this plaid has. The fabric has a brushed side, that I chose to be the right side. It is just the perfect weight to wear for the mild fall we are having.

I thought I should show what the cape looks like when not worn so you have a better idea how to put one together. I cut a 70 cm by 140 cm rectangle and folded it in half. (The fold is worn down one arm.) Then I inserted a 50 cm separating coiled zipper starting from the edge, leaving a neck opening close to the fold. I topstitched the two opposite sides and frayed the edges. Easy peasy!

This Just Happened...

For reals! Back in August, I was contacted for an interview for Vogue Pattern Magazine but it wasn't until today when I finally had a copy in my hands did I believe it was real.

I can't begin to explain what a thrill this is ... I have always loved to sew but blogging has given me new friends who share my passion and new experiences to enrich my life! 

Pared Down

I love a great dramatic garment and my pinterest boards certainly indicate this. Sometimes though, I just know when too much is too much and things have to be reeled in just a bit. That was the case here.

I made this sleeveless blazer about five years ago....back when they were still called vests. I was enrolled in a tailoring class and was told I needed a vest pattern for the class. At the time, I was quite perturbed, a vest for a tailoring class?! I wanted a full blazer...with sleeves...to learn it allllll! I will not go into a rant about my disappointment in this and other classes I have taken at the local art college... BUT let me just say this, it was a waste of my time and money! I have learned so much more from fellow sewists online and through online classes and tutorials. I am so proud of this community and the quality of skills that is shared...for free! That is true passion. Ok...I'm done. I'm feeling just a little angry about it...all over again...maybe that's why it has taken me so long to write about this make.... Husband will surely be calling it the Angry Vest after reading this post. lol 

Ok. Now I'm really done.

I choose V1214, an Alice and Olivia pattern. I remember choosing this one because it had pockets and I loved the lines of the back. The class instructor said my choice was too difficult....ughhh!!!! IT'S A TAILORING CLASS! (oops sorry, I fell of the wagon, won't happen again).

The pattern called for godets in the back and I felt that they were just a bit too much for me. So I omitted them. Pretended those pieces didn't even exist, like my class instructor by the third night...oops I lied.

This pattern called for lots of topstitching and I remember enjoying that part. I think that I should have used a heavier interfacing for the front band because I find that it went a wee bit wavy.

For the lining, I used a Bemberg in gray. I find Bemberg so fiddly when sewing with it but I love the finished product so much that it's worth the effort. I didn't put closures on the front band because I knew I would likely wear it open and on the odd occasion that I wanted to wear it closed, I wore a belt.

I like the paired down version of this pattern and think that without the full godets in the back, the subtle details and design lines are able to shine.

I just want to say... I love the sewing community both online and off. The support I feel and I see given to others is outstanding.  oh...and sorry about the rant...