{ thrifting } making me smile
{ blushing } thank you!

{ sewing } mini challenge: winter coat

Fidget's Wanderings Coat (which is not like anything in the mini boden catalog, but I am still counting for the challenge) is complete!

the wanderings coat

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...

wanderings coat

perfect for princessing about the grounds.

wanderings coat

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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.

wanderings coat

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!)

wanderings coat

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.

wanderings coat

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. 

wanderings coat

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:

wanderings coat

There are two little pockets -- one with a button, and one open -- on her left panel. The pockets are lined too.

wanderings coat

The right side has a zippered pocket for extra safe keeping.  She has her Found Jewels in there already.

wanderings coat

By golly, she likes it!  She really really likes it!

wanderings coat

As any princess should.

xoxo

Comments

Emily

O.
M.
G.
(yes, I just said OMG out loud, for real)

This is delicious. I could not love it more. So, so gorgeous!

chris carleton

Thank you!!  But Im all drooly over your bag, so maybe were even.  xoxo

Grace

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. :)

Sarah :: greenclogs

It is absolutely exquisite. You are my hero.

natalie

No words. Just so... so... Is it weird to be in love with a coat???

Aunt Fashionista

Gorgeous! Can't wait to see it in person! yay!

Ali

Oh, the details, the details - so glorious. She looks wonderful in it too (especially that final pose!). Amazing work, you!

Rhonda

Oh Chris - this turned out perfect! Fantastic job... I love all the secret pockets!

Paige

Beautiful! Awesome!!

sarah

amazing work!
what a lucky little girl! it really is beautiful.

Kristine

The coat is FABULOUS! And your princess is divine in it.

Mom

Absolutely wonderful! And what a super model!

UK lass in US

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.

Julie

One lucky little girl!!

Cristin

She obviously loves it!! What a stinkin' fun coat! Sigh... maybe I'll have a girl next time :-)

The Sewing Dork

That turned out beautifully. I'm kicking myself for not buying the pattern when it was available. At least I got the village frock :)

Jennifer

Wow! That is great! What little girl would not love that coat! AND oh my goodness is your little girl precious or what! :)

Erica

Beautiful! I love the secret pockets! Very cool!

Diana

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.

Martha Ann Murray

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!

Nikki

That is so adorable! Love the pockets inside.

beki

holy moly! a keepsake, for sure.

Michelle Whitley

This is just BEAUTIFUL!!! You are phenomenal!!

Anneliese S

That is amazing! And gorgeous! So much beautiful work and how rewarding that she loves it! I want to make a coat!

Patty Boyd

Of course she likes it! What's not to like? It's beautiful! I adore all the secret pockets inside. How fun!

Dalai Lina

Annabelle wants one. What are we going to do about that since I don't sew?

Pat Sieler

She's a lucky little girl! The fabric is wonderful. The color is very special. The pockets take it over the top!

Shealynn Benner - *Shey*[B]

That is absolutely adorable!

dana

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!

Kelli

you rocked that. Seriously so gorgeous! such great craftsmanship and what an eye for design and color!

jenv

you are simply amazing. your daughter is soooo lucky!

Erin Tink

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.

melinda

just wanted to let you know that something lovely happened to me today…I found your blog…delightful

stacy

so fantastic. You're gonna feel so proud watching her trot around in this!!

tonya

I love this. It's beautiful and looks like it look a lot of work.

nathalie

adorable! i have this pattern stuffed somewhere and i think it is finally time to get it out and sew something!!!

Mary Smith

Wow! A masterpiece.

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