Photo Update of the hand sewn coat

The pockets are in place and the lining is now attached in every way. Now just to finish the edges. Thanks for looking.

the cat trying for the warmth of the coffee machine!

This photo is the best color of the silk lining. Hemp thread closures for the inside hooks.

Basted: The washed wool winter coat.

Basted: My washed wool winter coat. The beginnings.

The washed wool was a 4 meters of wool plaid found at the thrift shop for 10$. I washed it in hot sanitize cycle of my washing machine with the bath mats and slippers! This was done over two years and the material stuck around in the stash. I suspect that this winter will be cold and that I need a proper warm coat.

For the pattern, I am using the 1912 traveling coat. https://austerity101.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/now-for-my-jacket-2/ I really like the princess cut of the pattern. It is easy to meld into my shape. As I added greatly to the length to bring the coat to just above my knees I found that I was a bit short. So the under sleeves and front under panel are in the natural wool.

The coat will comprise of the washed wool in plaid and a natural wool also picked up from the thrift shop for a few dollars and washed the same as the plaid over time. I purchases some quilting cotton batting for the inner layer for warmth. The lining will be in blue sand washed silk. Again, a thrift shop find of 6meters for 20$.

When I put the cut wool pieces together and sewed them on they shifted. And that was with the walking foot in full gear! So, I pulled each seam apart and hand basted each seam so the plaid now matches at all seams.

The front opening is by zipper on the left side. Again this was had picked into place and topstitched by hand to keep it there.

So before I can add the interlining and lining, I will topstitch by hand all seams. This is to seal each seam with the overlap. It will add bulk that will be hidden once the interlining is in place. Then I will steam the seams. Then on to the interlining, lining, hood and cuffs.

The interLining

My photo representing my year 2012. IT is about the process, IT is tactile, IT is colorful, IT is warm. I moved past some of my boundaries and have had to learn to live with some new ones. Life is good. And it is represented in my 1912 jacket. It is taking an outline and moving it forward to a project and like me, mostly completed.

Thanks for taking your time to share some of this with me. I hope that you have a 2013 that is warm and a good work in progress 🙂

Cathy

The cape finishing touches

The Lining with hemp linen pockets.

In between clients, certification for 2012 US tax preparation, Christmas and the infinity of a bad back I have managed to make some headway on the cape.

It is fully lined in a purple jacquard cotton. It hangs wonderfully and is a nice fit on the shoulders. To the lining I have added pockets from some scrap black hemp linen leftover from a vintage dress a few years back.

I have added the brass dragonfly’s as closures for the front.

From my jewellery box I am using beads and unworn pendants as fobs on the end of a silk ribbon to hold the cape closed.

Surprisingly they do the trick.

: Suitable bobbles from the jewellery box.

A close up of the dragonfly closures with the silk fobs holding the front closed

I am working up the courage to cut in to the sides and make the armholes! It is like a puzzle but without the finished picture on top. So, I am taking it slow.

Well, almost finished as I write this. Just a quick press and the fasteners to do.

That may sound easy but I tend to get lost in the details. I found some terrific dragon flies in copper but where to put them!

The lining – I tacked the front pieces to the shoulder seams. I don’t always like to cut being somewhat intrigued by folds. The result is that the shoulders stay on the shoulders when wearing without any clasps or ties. Though to have more mobility when wearing a tie or clasp will be utilized.

To hem the lining I used a big hair clip to keep the wool up while pining the garment. It worked well.

I have a tendency to ware the garment before completion to get a feel for it. This cape feels good. I had originally left an opening for the arms in the front seams but while trying it out any movement of the arms away from the body were inhibited by the fount folds. To remedy this, I will add a cuffed opening at the sides of the cape but only when all else is done.