I really get a surge of excitement when all the bits and pieces come together and I actually have something that can go on a hanger. The interfaced under collar is attached. The plaid outer collar assembly is complete and will be attached to the lining. I will actually end up making the coat twice [...]
Blog posts
Confessions of a hand baster
Here are some construction detail pics. The layout diagrams for this coat showed something (interfacing?) along the seamlines between the front and backs where they join the raglan sleeves. An expert sewist from Pattern Review advised me that this is a product called Wigan. It's purpose is to reinforce the seam and to help it [...]
God? Devil? in the details
I forget which. I've completed the inside chest pocket. Once again I deferred to Edna Bishop who provided very clear instructions on how to finesse this tricky bit with just 3 pieces. My Japanese version featured 4 pieces that in no way resembled what I ended up using. The area was first reinforced with a [...]
Saying NO to Japanese pockets
Against all your wise advice, I've cut out the coat and started construction. BTW here's a photo of the design. Black flannel... Yawn. Maybe now you can see why a contrasting collar might bring this severe design a little life. One of the photos shows the wool glen plaid fabric that I'll be using for [...]
The agony of grain perfection defeat
Getting this project off the ground has been a challenge. It should have been cut out and half sewn by now. Hmmm. wasn't this supposed to be my Fall coat? The sticking point has been that, try as I might, I can't align the grain of this fabric. Nothing so far has been easy. The [...]
I’m just here to draw your blood
I've finished the muslin for coat #2. It has all the charms of a phlebotomist's lab coat. I hope you're not squeamish at the thought of blood! I was actually able to incorporate the adjustments that I made to the duffle coat "on the fly" so to speak. I added 1/2" to the shoulder width, [...]
The hottest day of the Summer, so why not model the finished coat!
OK readers. TA DA! Here's the finished duffle coat. Of course it had to be one of the hottest days of the year. I think it was 86 degrees heading up to about 93 so it was a very short photo shoot. I DID NOT wear a flannel shirt and sweater under it, but I've [...]
F&%* I’ve lost my camera!
I know I promised to post pictures of the finished coat, but after a fantastic 3 day hike in the Maine wilderness I've lost my camera. I'm secretly hoping that my California daughter will magically discover it in her backpack now that she's back home. Keep your fingers crossed. After the hike I had [...]
Just for comparison
No pic for this post. The coat is finally finished and I'm waiting for huzbear Brian to come back from vacation to take some pictures of me modeling it. So while I wait, I thought it would be interesting to pull out my receipts and see how much the project has cost. Adding a generous [...]
Some final construction details
I'm just "saying NO" to all the topstitching on my coat. If I'd made the unlined version it would be necessary to hold things in place, but I think it looks more professional without it. Plus nothing looks worse than a garment with bad topstitching, and I don't want to run that risk. To hem [...]
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