I have been working (somewhat feverishly, lately) on finishing up the wool trench coat. Just for a refresher, here's the pattern I'm doing - View C, shown in purple in the center inset:
This has been my first coat, and there are a lot of other firsts with this too. (First completely lined garment, first lined pockets, first belt carriers, first sleeve tabs, first two-part sleeve, first shoulder pads, first sleeve heading - this is a neat trick) first woven with princess seams, first sewn wool garment, etc. etc. etc.) I have learned so much but in that learning process it's been very difficult to document everything, mostly because I've done the majority of the work in my six-hour sewing classes on Saturdays. The other reason is that I feel like I've ripped out practically everything that exists on this coat.
Here it is as it stands - right now it first needs pressing again and then it needs topstitching, buttonholes, buttons, sleeve lining hems (outer sleeve hems are already handsewn - what...) and bottom hem. I have pins to mark where the buttonholes will go. I had to lighten the exposure on many of these pics to get the details to show up in my dark hallway outside my sewing room, despite taking the pictures just now at lunchtime.
Here's the full length shots - I think the dress form is crooked, so I have to fix that.
This picture looks a little weird, as I had to get going back to work and didn't have time to mess with it:
I probably wouldn't have stuck with it if I didn't have this class to hold my feet to the fire, but I'm glad I did. The next one (what...) will be even better. The fit part was easy - it was a straight pattern size 12 with Miss Petite adjustments, no others were necessary. Other than needing to shorten the bottom hem a little, it really fits me perfectly everywhere, which is pretty amazing given my height. It's nice to know that whenever I'd want a trenchcoat, I could make this up.
It was more "fabric management" (i.e., fraying) that made me crazy. I think I would make this is a regular trenchcoat fabric next or in another fabric that didn't fray, or wasn't loosely woven so I could serge the hell out of the pieces first. I did serge a few of the pieces to clean them up, but it tended to distort them a little even with the differential feed set to zero. I am liking the (close-to) end result though and plan to finish it up before class on Saturday. Next up for the class will be pants - should be interesting!
It's lookin' good! Can't wait to see you in it!
Posted by: kozykitty | November 05, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Very impressive and very inspiring!! I was wondering the other day how your coat was going. I have never sewn a coat but really would like to sew a casual jacket of some sort. I have a piece of dark brown corduroy and matching lining, and I know I want something with a cute feminine shape, but that's as far as I've gotten. Yours just looks awesome, Robin!
Posted by: Sally | November 05, 2009 at 05:30 PM
It's looking great Robin!!!
Posted by: adrienne | November 05, 2009 at 08:59 PM
I hope to gain enough skills one day to make a jacket like that - or any sort. It's a really nice jacket!
Posted by: Robyn | November 06, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Looks fantastic! A really good learning experience. I was thinking of trying out the Built by Wendy jacket sometime...oh so scary.
Posted by: Amanda | November 06, 2009 at 08:20 AM
What a project! I admire your skills and your tenacity. Good work. The coat looks fantastic.
Posted by: Pam Price | November 06, 2009 at 08:28 AM
This looks terrific! I've been anxious to see pictures of the fabric you chose and how it was all coming together...worth the wait! I love some of the details...great job so far!
Posted by: Rachel | November 06, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Did J.Lo just flash us? lol Coat looks good! I'm so jealous about the pants class!
Posted by: Jenny | November 06, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Just love the coat! Not too bad for your first one too! I really like the fabrics you chose too.
Posted by: Zonda | November 06, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Impressive! Can't wait to see it on you.
Posted by: Vickie | November 07, 2009 at 08:32 AM
The sewing looks fantastic! I can't wait to see you wearing it in all its glory!
Posted by: Leah | November 07, 2009 at 08:55 PM
The coat looks amazing! I wish I could sew like that! Can't wait to see it modeled.
Posted by: Lara | November 09, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Nice! And jsut so you know, I found myself perusing sewing patterns for pants the other night. I totally blame it on you. I haven't taken the jumpyet, but I can feel it edging closer.....
Posted by: Carol | November 09, 2009 at 05:07 PM
That looks excellent. I think projects that make you do a lot of new things at once can be a bit intimidating, but end up being worth it in the end.
Posted by: marjorie | November 13, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Hey, this is great! And you learned so much by doing it. It's projects like this that we treasure.
Posted by: Kat | December 04, 2009 at 10:14 PM