This will be a difficult post to write. How do I sum up the experience of a lifetime? I’ve been back home in Maine for about three weeks, and it already feels like it never really happened. How did it all go by so quickly? From the witty border patrol agent who welcomed me to the UK, to pulling my final cask ale at the Chester Road Tavern.
But let’s not kid ourselves. It was also an enormous amount of work.
So looking back…I hit the ground running on September 12, 2022. After a morning of mandatory safety briefings and introduction to the equipment I’d be using (I won’t miss that industrial sewing machine one bit!), it was straight to drafting either a men’s or women’s tailored jacket. That one jacket would take me all the way to the Christmas break. Taking measurements, drafting the pattern, laying and cutting out, the baste fitting, a complete rip down, alterations, putting it all back together again, a second fitting, hours of hand finishing. But to have this jacket…worth it all. Every little victory and every curse word muttered under my breath.
The new year brought the “Internationals” six weeks of independent work. It was such a liberating feeling to just go to school each day and “crack on with it”. End result… this rust windowpane jacket. It actually garnered some compliments at the Concourse on Savile Row. It’s not perfect by a long shot, but it was a great learning experience. It also spawned an addiction to windowpane fabrics.
My six month tourist visa was up, so off to Paris I went! Absinthe, art, and fabric of course.
A dear reader recommended that I seek out Tissus Edre in the Passy neighborhood. The exterior may be shabby, but Ooo La La, the treasures within. I picked up two meters of a worsted wool for the trousers and waistcoat portion of the course. Part of it became this waistcoat, along with vintage horn buttons and a lime green shot silk taffeta lining. I’ll use the remaining length for matching trousers, but I really want to refine my pattern a bit before taking that leap.
Although it was completely unintentional, it ended up looking particularly nice with jacket number three. I devoted almost all of my Fridays (optional workroom time) on this teal herringbone jacket. I will always appreciate the Academy’s support of this project. It was a chance to spread my wings a bit, and try out some details that aren’t part of the curriculum. The back belt, cuff detail, and patch pockets with flaps, were all well worth exploring, and valuable skills to develop for future projects. I’m sure this jacket will be my Fall “go to”.
The trousers were hands down my least favorite part of the course. Not even the spectacular Shetland tweed from Abraham Moons & Sons tempered my sour mood. Maybe it was the jetted pockets. Maybe it was the pre-made waistband. Maybe it was the complexity of the construction. By the time I finished them it was too hot to wear them, so these detail shots will have to do. I’m sure they’ll get worn lots on my morning walks once Fall arrives. After all, they really are lovely; just maybe a little out of my lane, style wise.
With six weeks left we were cut loose again to work on a project of our choice. I really wanted to tackle a linen jacket, and was encouraged to do so. Again, I was supported in taking what I had learned in my own direction. What resulted is what I’m calling “le nouveau safari”. My attempt to make a less “costume-y” version of a summer safari jacket, inspired by some of the fresh modern tailoring that I saw on Savile Row. It’s getting worn many mornings now that I’m back in Maine. I’m all about “embracing the crease”.
How did it get to be July? Wasn’t it just September? Suddenly it’s time for that last pie. Stuffing candy bars into my luggage. Shipping my £40 Elna Lotus back to the States. Clearing out workbench #10. Saying good bye to unforgettable new friends.
Boom! Back in Maine. Back to driving again. Back to car repairs. Back to home ownership. Back to opening up a stuffy house. Back to cobwebs and mouse shit. Back to cutting the grass.
Back to figuring out what come next!
The first order of business is to make a more “tailoring friendly” workspace. To that end I’ve devised an eight foot cutting table out of a sheet of maple veneer plywood. It’s not the $800 butcher block model I lusted over, but it’s better than the IKEA desk that I’ve “made do” with for years. The next task is to source a firm wool felt mat to cover it. Surprisingly, I may have found it right here in Maine! I’ll let you know.
As always I’m so grateful to my family, friends, and complete strangers who have encouraged me in this grand adventure. I see it leading to new adventures, and I promise to share them with all of you. Now to figure out how to make a giant ham.
Be well, and happy sewing / tailoring!
Mainelymenswear 
It was an amazing time reading every post throughout your journey! Loved seeing the results. You continue to inspire me to work on my creative side. Thanks!
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Your focus, learning, and applying new skills is a wonder to watch!
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Welcome back, Duane! Thank you for sharing all the great and informative postings from the UK. The rust windowpane, teal and linen jackets are worthy of Savile Row. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and the remainder of the Maine summer. It is time to get some sea breezes on your gorgeous sailboat!
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Thank you for letting us live vicariously through you: what an adventure!! Lovely work. Thanks for sharing.
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Congratulations! And welcome back!!!
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Welcome home, Duane! Ohhh, you have gorgeous garments from your intense UK time! And the memories and learnings. You definitely raise the bar on buying vacation-reminder fabric. 😁😁 I’m looking forward to your next adventures.
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I’ve greatly appreciated all your posts for the years I’ve been reading them, Duane, and this terrific adventure of yours was really thrilling to read about. I’m in awe of your workmanship and your courage. I can’t wait to see what you tackle next.
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Welcome home! Thank you for ‘taking us along’ on your journey! What an adventure!
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I really enjoyed your blog posts about your adventure in the UK.
Welcome back.
What are you using for legs on your new maple table?
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It was so wonderful to follow along. What an adventure and to own those beautiful jackets. Self made! My compliments
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Welcome home. I’ve enjoyed my vicarious travel and education. Look forward to your further adventures.
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What a wonderful experience, thanks for sharing it with us!
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Welcome home. What a wonderful adventure you had, it’s something I would love to do. Keep us updated on your next project
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Have so enjoyed hearing about your life changing adventure, and seeing your exquisite jackets and trousers. To take a leap like that, when you already have a skilled profession, when you’ve been around a few blocks, and when it’s far across the pond was a brave and defiant act. Very glad to have been part of the cheering section, and looking forward to seeing what you do with your hard won skills.
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Congratulations on your achievement! Your garments are beautiful. I very much enjoy reading every single one of your posts and look forward to the next. FYI, the newest issue of Threads mag has an article on how to make pressing tools, including a ham (although you probably already know this).
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Hi Duane, You don’t know me and have no need to but, I must say how much I have anticipated your posts and instagrams. Part may be envy, but I do think it is more admiration. To have taken the leap and headed across the pond to challenge yourself with a year of learning in tailoring, and to be around all ages and traditions is wonderful. I look forward to many of your new makes with that lovely fabric you chose and to apply new techniques that I hope you will continue to share on You Tube and here. Welcome home. We too, in New Brunswick have been sweltering in humidity and heat on the St. John River.
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Thank you for sharing your time in the UK! I hvae been trying to figure out how I could swing such an adventure. Thank you for sharing all your tips, insights and beautiful, beautiful garments. I have learned so much from your posts over the years. Always an inspiration.
Thank you.
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I have followed your tailoring journey with interest, you have a talent for writing as well as sewing. Looking forwards to what comes next.
Best wishes
Pauline
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Welcome home! Time to start a tailoring camp…?
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Your skill is amazing and might I say you are one dapper man!
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It was a real joy to follow your adventures. SO GLAD you shared so much of it with us. Thank you, and welcome back! Looking forward to more of your work 🧵🪡‼️
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You are such an inspiration ! Thank you for sharing your journey.
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Thank you for your generosity in sharing your adventure with us all. I’ve so enjoyed your posts and seeing your makes and you’re an inspiration for getting out of your comfort zone and following your passion. I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed your time in the UK, love to think of you sitting at home eating a Picnic with your cuppa! Look forward to reading about what you do next.
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You truly are inspiring me. Thank you for sharing your journey.
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Thank you. Your posts are inspiring!
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It has been wonderful to read all your posts about your great adventure!
I can’t wait to see what is next for you.
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Welcome home! Thanks for keeping us in the loop with all of your experiences. I am grateful you took us along with you. Good luck in your future sewing endeavors.
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Bravo.
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Welcome home – I thoroughly enjoyed your blog and Instagram posts detailing your adventures! That sure was one quick school year!
If I were forced to, I’d have to choose the teal jacket as my favorite. (Teal, those cuffs 👍 and Abraham Moons… swoons…)
Can’t wait to see what you’ll be up to when you settle in! …After you enjoy the remaining bit of summer…
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Time flies when you’re having fun, eh? 🙂
Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
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Thank you so much for all of your posts and photos sharing and documenting your incredible journey and new skills. I’ve always enjoyed your posts, your writing, and your projects, but this last year has been so amazing to watch unfold. I can hardly imagine how it must be for you to have actually experienced everything. Welcome home to Maine!
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Thank so much for sharing your work and your experience. It was so much fun to follow and I look forward to your ongoing creative story.
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And just like that, he’s gone! Congratulations Duane on everything you’ve achieved and thank you so much for taking the time to share the experience with us. You’ve taken so much back home with you in terms of skills, new garments and confidence (also emergency chocolate) but I’m sure you’ve also left behind something of yourself with those who spent time with you. Wishing you every success for the next adventure.
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Had to wait for the weekend to read your post. Such an amazing summary of your experiences. I’ve so enjoyed watching the progression. Well done! And so inspiring!!
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I have really enjoyed reading about your sewing adventures in Europe! Thank you for sharing – the past year’s blog posts have been so inspiring.
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Your wonderful account of your trip has been sitting in my inbox waiting for reply for too long. I am so thankful that you were able to make the trip & have that experience! It has been a joy to experience it, vicariously, with you & I’ve been impressed with the way you jumped it & made the most of your time in England! Good for you! Your commentary & the accompanying photos are priceless! Welcome home to your next adventure!
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I’m in awe of your accomplishments and your adventure. Thanks for sharing.
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Google “diy tailorinh ham” and get dozens of possibilities. You can print at a larger scale if you want a huge one, even if you have to do it at a copy shop
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Thank you for sharing your amazing year with us. It was a fascinating journey. I remember seeing an article on making tailoring hams. Probably in Threads magazine. I look forward to seeing what comes next
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This adventure of yours has been a treasure, and I’m grateful; I’ve been rereading them . For a table covering, I initially thought about wool felt but because of width constraints and budget (and wanted 100% wool) I went with a heavy and very ugly wool blanket with muslin on top, all battened down to a (surprise!) ikea table top (the door I was going to use did not work out. the second ikea top has kept it’s cardboard covering, and will get another when this one is chewed up.
As always I look forward to what you do next (and the trousers may not have been a pleasure to make but the glimpse of the interior is gorgeous).
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You are such an inspiration!
At 67 I thought big adventures were behind me, but it looks like (if the stars align) I’ll be emigrating to WA. You have given me the confidence to follow my heart.
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Thank you Duane. It has been a pleasure to read about your tailoring journey. It sounds like an amazing adventure. The very best of luck with whatever comes next.
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Oh my! How did I miss that you are back home?! Welcome back, and congratulations on the cutting table upgrade. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for you and your sewing & tailoring adventures.
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