Red Pea Coat

I'm almost done with the red pea-coat styled jacket. I have to confess that I'm not happy with it. I think this stretch twill has too much drape for a jacket. The jacket just needs more body. I only have the sleeve hems, buttons and buttonholes left to do.And a good pressing. If I have time I will make another jacket to enter in the contest as I'm not completely pleased with this one. I can still wear it, but I don't consider it good enough for competition purposes. I do love this pattern, but in the future I will only use fabrics that are coat-weight.



Charity

Progress Report

I'm going to have to really keep on track if I'm going to get 10 pieces sewn by April 30th, the Wardrobe Contest deadline. I'm going to do a weekly progress report. Here is where I'm at as of today. The Contest calls for 10 pieces, 1 jacket or dress, 1 accessory, 4 tops and 4 bottoms. You can make more as long as the ratio of tops and bottoms stays equals. I just realized that I put in an extra bottom. I will either have to eliminate a bottom or add a top. I will make that call closer to the deadline. For now the plan will stay as it is.

PROGRESS REPORT:

Piece One - Red Polka Dot Rayon Blouse - muslin test completed

Piece Two - Red Polka Dot Rayon Skirt - nothing yet

Piece Three - Navy Daisy Silky Blouse - muslin test completed

Piece Four - Navy Moleskin Skirt - nothing yet

Piece Five - Navy Moleskin Top - nothing yet

Piece Six - Red Twill Peacoat Jacket - Muslin test completed (see corduroy jacket below) So far, I have cut out this piece, assembled the sleeves, done the side seams, set the sleeves, Hong Kong finished the interior seams, made up the collar, and interfaced the facing. I'm getting ready to attach the collar and facings next. I've probably got about 3 hours left to finish it up.




Piece Seven - Red Twill Skirt - Setback on this one. I thought I had enough of the red stretch twill to do both a jacket and this piece. However, there was barely enough for the jacket. I will have to look elsewhere for the skirt fabric. I was hoping to work entirely from my stash, but am not sure I have another red solid for this piece. If I have to buy I will not attempt to match the jacket fabric exactly. It is a sateen-finished twill in a lipstick red. I know that our local sources will not have this fabric. I bought it years ago and it has since been discontinued. I will attempt to find a textured red tweedy fabric or a red denim. Something that will coordinate, but not look like an attempted-but-didn't-make-it match.

Piece Eight - White Denim Capris - nothing yet

Piece Nine - White Lace-Up Tunic - nothing yet

Piece Ten - Contour Band Jeans - nothing yet

Piece Eleven - Madras Plaid Purse - nothing yet

Trial Run

I finished a trial run of a pattern I intend to use in creating the wardrobe below. It's Simplicity 4077. I decided that I'm not crazy about the ruffle front and will just do a plain front. I will also do a capped sleeve version of the pattern instead of the little cuffs. They're cute, but they are too trendy and will date faster than a regular short sleeve. I am also changing the band collar to a bow tie. I'll simply lengthen the band and attach it so that the ends are free for tying into a pussycat bow.







Charity

Lesson Day

Today was sewing lessons day with Emily and Sarah. Emily continued progress on her sheath dress, finishing the bodice and bagging the lining. She got some good practice in on stitching a shaped seam with all the shifting and pivoting necessary to keep an accurate seam allowance. Next week Emily will start on the skirt portion of her dress and will learn to do French seams. Sarah started in on project #3, a lined vest with deep scoop neck, princess seams and button front. She chose a black moleskin with very thin lavendar pinstripes. I taught her how to do a tissue fitting, about grainlines and how to do a fabric layout and cut-out. Next week she will learn to mark and then begin construction. Both girls are doing marvelously and really learning how to manage their sewing time efficiently and to be precise in execution. We discussed the idea of the three of us each doing a State Fair entry this August. Something with a lot of "WOW!" factor. We'll let that percolate in their brains for awhile and see what develops.

As far as my own sewing..I hope to get a bit done tonight, but this week will probably not see a lot of sewing progress. :( :( I am substitute teaching all week. Hopefully the kids will be kind and I'll have some energy left to get at least a little done in the evenings!

Charity

Finished the Vogue 8090

Okay! I finished up the Vogue 8090 jacket. I have mixed feelings about it. I love the lapped "tails" in the front and back, but I'm not crazy about the shoulder line. I don't think I'm a dropped shoulder girl. I need a set-in sleeve and a bit more of a tailored fit. I plan to make some pants from a denim in the same color but without the quilting and a skirt too, if I have enough fabric. But I have two other projects to finish before those.

Here are the photos of the jacket. They're bad photos. Not enough lighting, but should still give an idea...

Jacket On


Jacket Back


Inseam Buttonhole


Jacket Inside Out - Bound Seams


Charity