Help!!

Here's the first muslin of my coat - it's Vogue 8326. I think I figured out the under sleeve, but when I went to sew the sleeve pieces together it looked all wrong. The center fronts meet, but I'm pretty sure I need to go up at least one pattern size. The muslin fits well over the bust, but what are the funny wrinkles from the sides? Too small?

I think the problems with this view are that I'm standing entirely too stiff and straight. Although there are those wrinkles that are coming from the side seams again. And what's with the way it juts out over the rear? Is there too much room at the back neck?

From the back - wrinkles above the waist. I did no alterations to the pattern at all - just traced the tissue and put it together in muslin. This is a straight 16.

Another side view when I'm not quite so stiff.

Finally - another side with my arm out of the way. It feels like the side seam is going forward a bit.

So - how do I fix it or do I not worry about it until I try again with a size 18?

This is Where I Get Confused

This is a horrible picture, but this is where I'm hung up on the Great Coat Sew Along. I printed out the instructions for converting the one piece sleeve. I measures the bottom and cut the sides off the sleeve pattern. I curved the lines in on the top sleeve piece. But now? I think I just draw new grainlines from the top of the pattern to the bottom and then add the pieces cut from the top pattern? But doesn't that make the sleeve much bigger in circumference than originally planned? So, I'm going to do some research, read the instructions, see if I can borrow a drafting book, and attempt to carry on.

Hello Pot, Kettle Calling

So, last Thursday The Princess called. She had finally got her holiday bonus and decided it was time to knit a cardigan. She asked me for ideas. I told her top down. She bought a pattern book, all the yarn, needles, etc. She said it was the most money she had spent on anything for quite awhile. Saturday morning, I asked her if she had started her cardigan yet. Click on the link above and find out about it. She said no, because it was the most she had ever spent on a knitted item and she didn't want to ruin it. I asked if she would rather have a cardigan or $150 worth of wool laying around? Hello Pot, Kettle Calling. Yep that's me. See that pile of stuff over <---- there? Well it's not quite $150, but close. There's 5 yards of red wool melton bought on sale from Gorgeous Fabrics, the lining was purchased from Denver Fabrics, today I ordered interfacing from Pam at Sew Exciting, and the pile of notions that I have no idea how to use came from Marjie as part of the Great Coat Sew Along. Today I pulled everything out of the cupboard, cleaned off my table, took fresh measurements and traced the important pieces of the pattern. I almost have the sleeve changed to a two piece sleeve, but I'm having some trouble with the under sleeve portion. I'm not sure if I'll slog through and figure it out because I don't understand why having a two piece sleeve is important. I hope to get the muslin traced and have photos of a muslin before the end of next weekend. I think I may either need a ton of adjustments or to purchase a bigger size. My measurements put me square into a size 18 and my pattern stops at a 16. But I'll continue with the muslin of this size and see what happens. Just so that I'm not telling the daughter to do something that I'm frightened of myself I will proceed with this project.

Coat Progress

I finally purchased the lining for my Great Coat Sew Along coat. Which I still haven't made the muslin for. Anyway, thanks to Erica B and Denver Fabrics my lining is now on it's way. Remember that my coat is red. I am wanting to get the exam room paper to use to trace my pattern before making up the muslin. I'm gonna email my doc today and see if there is someplace locally I can purchase that tissue like paper. I have another 3 day weekend. Currently - I only have 1 pre-cut project on my table (well, okay, 1 that I care to finish there are 3 others) and no pending crafty projects. So, I'm hoping to make progress on a coat muslin this weekend.

Not Much

The fabric for my coat arrived yesterday. To me it looks like what I would call Lipstick Red, but I like it. I still don't have lining, interlining, fusibles and whatever else I might need. In fact, I don't have any idea what all it is that I might need. I need to get some heavier weight muslin and get working on my muslin. Muslins and alterations to be finished this month. I also added a very pretty piece of red knit jersey in my package. I was hoping that it would coordinate with the red print skirt, but it doesn't. I might work well with the large floral border print though. Which I'm thinking might become a shift dress. I just don't know. Decisions like this are what stop me from getting anything done. And now I'm off to watch The Closer. It's a repeat, but since I haven't seen it yet, we are watching it tonight. Gotta run.

Decision's Made

Last night, I sat down with JB and the pile of coat patterns - okay so there were only 5! After discussing the options I decided to go with V8346. I'll be making the red view - that length, that collar, everything. This morning I called Ann, and ordered 4 yards of the Princess Red Wool Flannel. I still have to decide about lining. I don't think I'll need to interline my coat as it never really gets cold in Western Washington, but I'll ask for opinions at my next ASG Neighborhood group meeting. To keep JB happy - I also asked Ann to send me swatches of the August Green, eggplant, and bright peony wool flannel. Who knows, I may end up making more than one coat. I'm feeling slightly (okay really more like I'm drowning here) out of my element here. I just hope I don't mess this up.

More Options

Yesterday, I stopped by Hancock Fabrics to look for the OOP Vogue coat pattern. They were good about pulling their old patterns, so if I really want it, I'll have to buy it online.

Anyway, I picked up McCalls 5247. It has all the elements that Marji has suggested are important in a coat. For awhile still you can see her posts on the the Great Coat Sew Along by following the link.

I also picked up McCalls 5060. While I like most of the details - it's an armhole princess rather than a shoulder princess. And it only has a one piece sleeve. So, it's probably out for this round.

Next, I picked up Vogue 8346. I really like the short version (which is view A, shown in the back), but again - armhole princess and one piece sleeve. The last pattern I got, is also most likely a no. It's Vogue 1266. While I love the collar on View A (far right in the pattern illustrations), I'm not sure I'm up to welt pockets along with everything else. The length is way to long - but that's fixable. Finally it has a 2 piece sleeve, but again - armhole princess.

I wonder if I could take the sleeve from V1266 and use it with V8346, the short version with the shawl collar - maybe even in pink?

The Great Coat Sew Along

Marji was involved in a discussion on Stitchers Guild regarding the making of a wool coat. She brought it up on her blog when showing the wool blanket she's knitting through the summer. Crazy girl! Nothing like a pile of wool in your lap when it's warm out. Anyway - that prompted the set up of The Great Coat Sewalong. I have decided that I want to play - first I want a wool coat. Not as much use for them in Western Washington as I had when living in Missoula, Montana, but still.

I am at a loss. I have One, yep only one coat pattern. It is a Simplicity Threads pattern and has all the elements that Marji has indicated are important for a first coat. But having looked at other patterns, I don't love it. And maybe I want to make 2 coats. I don't know! Of course, I had the pattern in my handbag and now I can't find it!

Here's my first delima. Deciding upon a pattern - I have the threads one (with no pattern number or link). I'm also considering Vogue 7979, Butterick 4665 (I love the collar), Butterick 4875 (I like the off set closing, rather than the double breasted). I'm going to stop by a local fabric store and see if I can find any of these.

Second - what color? I was thinking of making a grey coat. Carolyn met JB and listened to him grumble about how all I wear is bland, boring, earth colors. So, why am I thinking grey? Well - because! Most of my wardrobe is brown. I have a nice brown raincoat as well as a short brown leather coat. But I don't know what to wear when I wear black. I do not want a black coat - so I was thinking grey. But then my ASG friends said if I like brown to make a brown coat it goes well with black.

Last week at dinner, I was talking with JB about this coat project and he said - red! Make a red coat. (The top photo is princess red). All fabrics are available from gorgeous fabrics. I can't really tell how red that red is, so I'm leery of it. I don't want a tomato red, but a rich burgundy red would be lovely. I'm also thinking pale pink - because well pink would be beautiful with all the browns I wear as well as black.

Opinions anyone? On pattern and/or color?