Fabricista Fashion Challenge #2 finished product!


When I read this week's challenge, I had mixed emotions.  I was scared and worried because making a trench coat seemed like a massive amount of work in a very short amount of time.  But I was also excited because at the beginning of the year I set a goal to make outerwear before the year was over, and this was going to force me into actually accomplishing that goal.  And I had already identified a trench coat from the 2/2014 issue of Ottobre Design magazine as one of my options.  So it was destined to be this coat.



I looked through my stash and I have several fabrics that would work well as a trench coat -- even a couple water resistant fabrics that would work well with living in Seattle.  But none of them seemed to fit the bill of expressing my personality.  So, I decided to take a quick trip over to Ikea on my lunch break last week (note to self, a trip to Ikea is NEVER quick!) because when my daughter and I were there a few weeks ago I remembered seeing a couple fabrics that I really liked, but didn't have any use in mind, so I didn't buy anything.  I picked up 4 yards of this colorful, very busy, heavy 100% cotton floral fabric.



I thought this fabric expressed my personality because it was fun and colorful and a little loud.  I work in tech and I am an introvert, but once I get to feel comfortable with people, I tend to talk a lot and have been told I get loud.  I also really love experiencing life.  I'm not an adrenaline junkie or anything, but I do enjoy trying new things and putting myself out there as much as possible because life is all about making great memories and never having regrets. 


I had in my stash a lovely blue sateen fabric that I thought looked great with this print and helped tame the busy-ness of the print a bit and keeps in it check, so I used that for some contrast flat piping in the seams and as the collar and belt. 


I also had a yellow satin in my stash that I used as the lining and a package of red piping that I picked up from an awesome store near my house called Seattle ReCreative, which is one of the best places to find really cool notions and fabrics.



I really like how the pockets turned out.  I didn't get a photo, but the pocket piece is lined with the same yellow satin that makes up the coat lining and I love how it feels on my hand when I put it in my pocket.





Here are a couple photos on my dress form, the photo of the back was taken before I finished the hem -- I apparently didn't take any after of the back..








I used a red piping between the facings and the lining.  I really like that little hidden detail.








Some detailed shots of the flat piping on the outside.







Getting the sleeve seams to match up perfectly took a few tries and it's a bit lost in the shuffle, but it makes me very happy.



I'm a walking zombie from the lack of sleep I've had the last several days trying to get this sewn up.  But this coat was a lot of firsts for me (including my very first collar!), and Ottobre magazine isn't exactly known for their detailed instructions, so my seam ripper was my best friend on this project and I had to try some things several times before I got them right.



The finished projects are all up on the Fabric Mart blog, so go check them out and vote for your favorite.  All of the other ladies made absolutely gorgeous coats with great details and workmanship.  I'm very, very impressed with all of them because I ended up having to leave out a lot of the details I had hoped to add, like the epaulettes and the cuff straps, although I have those pieces cut and I hope to get them on when I get some time to revisit my coat.  I also didn't add buttons because I had planned to make frog closures out of the blue fabric, and I probably still will.  But I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked just using the belt as a closure.

Comments

  1. I really like the blue, and I think you successfully made a trench coat that is your style!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! All my friends agree that this coat is very "me." I knew I was taking a risk when I bought the fabric and before I cut it, I second (and third) guessed my choice. I even decided to not use it at one point while I was still fitting my muslin and go a completely other direction. But all the complexities getting the pattern to fit across my bust and figuring out the changes needed to be able to actually move my arms in the sleeves caused a huge time crunch and my other plan involved stenciling foil onto my coat, which I'd have to do a lot of experimentation with, so I decided to go back to the original plan.

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    2. Just saw your coat Curvy Collectives- it's great. Looks like fun and seems you really made it well.

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  2. I love your coat, saw it on Curvy Collectives. Beautifully finished and fun, fun, fun in a good way!!

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