{ sewing } mini challenge: winter coat
October 10, 2010
Fidget's Wanderings Coat (which is not like anything in the mini boden catalog, but I am still counting for the challenge) is complete!
After rediscovering this sweet pattern in my studio, I decided to go in the Princess Coat direction. I also knew, immediately, that I wanted it in peacock blue wool. And orchid pink inside...
perfect for princessing about the grounds.
I found some yummy faux fur online, hand sewed it into a loop and attached it by hand to the hood so I can machine wash the rest of it when needed. The pattern showed fur at the cuffs as well, but I thought it was too much for this version. I like the pink peeking out of the sleeves, anyway.
As for buttons... There were so many options! Toggle or regular? Colored, wooden or metal? I felt like there were a hundred tiny decisions to make and, really, any of them would have looked fine. In the end, I went with an antiqued pewter. (I did start to fear it was looking a little civil-war-esque, and maybe it does, but whatever!)
The buckle is vintage and shipped from England. So very appropriate for this coat, don't you think? It showed up black and antique gold, but I added some craft paint so it would match the buttons. I had no idea how difficult it was to find belt buckles. Joann's did not carry them and so many of my online sources carried boring stock! Thank goodness for etsy.
I love how the back of this coat is gathered. It is even pretty from behind.
Once I was mentally prepared to tackle buttonholes, I discovered that my machine did not, in fact, want to make them either. Too many layers or something... So I hand finished each buttonhole with a super tight blanket stitch around and around and around. I had basted the layers together at first and then liked the look so much that I went ahead and made them permanent.
This ended up being a nice little exercise, really. Much less stressful than setting the machine loose on my precious garment and watching in terror, as it happened, through parted fingers. (Although it did add about 4 hours on the project. Ahem.)
The inside was delicious fun. The pattern calls for secret pockets and embellishments, so I gave her plenty. This little circle will get her name embroidered this week:
There are two little pockets -- one with a button, and one open -- on her left panel. The pockets are lined too.
The right side has a zippered pocket for extra safe keeping. She has her Found Jewels in there already.
By golly, she likes it! She really really likes it!
As any princess should.
xoxo
O.
M.
G.
(yes, I just said OMG out loud, for real)
This is delicious. I could not love it more. So, so gorgeous!
Posted by: Emily | October 10, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Thank you!! But Im all drooly over your bag, so maybe were even. xoxo
Posted by: chris carleton | October 10, 2010 at 11:02 PM
It is so cute, so perfect! I can't believe you accomplished it. Well, maybe I can believe it, but I'm still kind of awestruck. :)
Posted by: Grace | October 10, 2010 at 11:23 PM
It is absolutely exquisite. You are my hero.
Posted by: Sarah :: greenclogs | October 10, 2010 at 11:38 PM
No words. Just so... so... Is it weird to be in love with a coat???
Posted by: natalie | October 11, 2010 at 12:12 AM
Gorgeous! Can't wait to see it in person! yay!
Posted by: Aunt Fashionista | October 11, 2010 at 12:40 AM
Oh, the details, the details - so glorious. She looks wonderful in it too (especially that final pose!). Amazing work, you!
Posted by: Ali | October 11, 2010 at 05:50 AM
Oh Chris - this turned out perfect! Fantastic job... I love all the secret pockets!
Posted by: Rhonda | October 11, 2010 at 06:36 AM
Beautiful! Awesome!!
Posted by: Paige | October 11, 2010 at 06:58 AM
amazing work!
what a lucky little girl! it really is beautiful.
Posted by: sarah | October 11, 2010 at 07:20 AM
The coat is FABULOUS! And your princess is divine in it.
Posted by: Kristine | October 11, 2010 at 07:26 AM
Absolutely wonderful! And what a super model!
Posted by: Mom | October 11, 2010 at 08:43 AM
It looks beautiful - what a grogeous colour, too! How perfect it all looks.
I keep considering making another coat, and lovingly feeling the wool at the local fabric store, but it's hard to feel inspired when the weather is still hot.
Posted by: UK lass in US | October 11, 2010 at 09:54 AM
One lucky little girl!!
Posted by: Julie | October 11, 2010 at 10:01 AM
She obviously loves it!! What a stinkin' fun coat! Sigh... maybe I'll have a girl next time :-)
Posted by: Cristin | October 11, 2010 at 10:36 AM
That turned out beautifully. I'm kicking myself for not buying the pattern when it was available. At least I got the village frock :)
Posted by: The Sewing Dork | October 11, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Wow! That is great! What little girl would not love that coat! AND oh my goodness is your little girl precious or what! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | October 11, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Beautiful! I love the secret pockets! Very cool!
Posted by: Erica | October 11, 2010 at 12:57 PM
so adorable. my eye went straight to the buckle; it's such neat contrast to the sweetness of the coat because of it's scale and color.
Beautiful sewing job.
Posted by: Diana | October 11, 2010 at 01:44 PM
That coat is absolutely adorable (and so is the model - especially the last photo!) Wish I had little ones but all my little are big!
Posted by: Martha Ann Murray | October 11, 2010 at 01:45 PM
That is so adorable! Love the pockets inside.
Posted by: Nikki | October 11, 2010 at 02:53 PM
holy moly! a keepsake, for sure.
Posted by: beki | October 11, 2010 at 03:56 PM
This is just BEAUTIFUL!!! You are phenomenal!!
Posted by: Michelle Whitley | October 11, 2010 at 04:21 PM
That is amazing! And gorgeous! So much beautiful work and how rewarding that she loves it! I want to make a coat!
Posted by: Anneliese S | October 11, 2010 at 06:09 PM
Of course she likes it! What's not to like? It's beautiful! I adore all the secret pockets inside. How fun!
Posted by: Patty Boyd | October 11, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Annabelle wants one. What are we going to do about that since I don't sew?
Posted by: Dalai Lina | October 11, 2010 at 10:30 PM
She's a lucky little girl! The fabric is wonderful. The color is very special. The pockets take it over the top!
Posted by: Pat Sieler | October 12, 2010 at 07:11 PM
That is absolutely adorable!
Posted by: Shealynn Benner - *Shey*[B] | October 13, 2010 at 03:07 AM
oh Chris, it's beautiful!
And really funny....I have the same pattern that I've been meaning to try and I have that same fabric that I've need to use! Wow, a wandering coat sounds lovely. You did a wonderful job with it. It's stunning!
Posted by: dana | October 13, 2010 at 01:09 PM
you rocked that. Seriously so gorgeous! such great craftsmanship and what an eye for design and color!
Posted by: Kelli | October 13, 2010 at 04:48 PM
you are simply amazing. your daughter is soooo lucky!
Posted by: jenv | October 13, 2010 at 07:04 PM
I seriously thought the first picture was straight out of a magazine. I'm not kidding. Then, I kept reading and realized it was Fidget in THE jacket. Wow! It's absolutely beautiful. Way to stick with it to the end. The details are so worth it.
Posted by: Erin Tink | October 15, 2010 at 11:48 AM
just wanted to let you know that something lovely happened to me today…I found your blog…delightful
Posted by: melinda | October 15, 2010 at 10:28 PM
so fantastic. You're gonna feel so proud watching her trot around in this!!
Posted by: stacy | October 16, 2010 at 10:41 PM
I love this. It's beautiful and looks like it look a lot of work.
Posted by: tonya | October 17, 2010 at 12:14 AM
adorable! i have this pattern stuffed somewhere and i think it is finally time to get it out and sew something!!!
Posted by: nathalie | October 17, 2010 at 06:46 PM
Wow! A masterpiece.
Posted by: Mary Smith | October 22, 2010 at 10:58 PM