A New Winter Coat, Butterick 5685

Hi all,

I made a new coat because where I live, it's cold and can be cold for a long time--like 5 or so months.  Ridiculous, right?  So, to make it less brutal, I make winter coats so I have choices when I put on a coat to brave the cold.  

I finally used the beautiful wool/cashmere blend from Mood that I purchased about 2 years ago. 

I was pretty adamant I needed to use a somewhat classic design so this coat is 'in style' for years to come.

When I fit this to me, I intentionally made the shoulders just a bit wider in the back to accommodate being able to bend, lift, carry, twist, and drive a car if needed.  

I've had this pattern forever.  Here it is for you to see: 

I'd say mine fits just like the line drawing shows.

I knew I wanted to use a fun lining and this fabric is from Fabric.com.  It's a Telio brand rayon and it is just as luscious as the wool/cashmere!

Why make a coat with a boring lining?  Am I right? 

Buttons are from my stash.  

Thanks for reading!

I hope you are enjoying the weather where ever you live.  If you have a favorite cold weather coat pattern, would you please share?  I am always looking for coat patterns that are unique, classic, or just fun.

Sue 

Butterick 6418

This pattern; it's been in my stash for a while and I keep picking it up and putting it back.  Until...

I was in North Dakota, of all places!  A gal there was wearing a super cute gray sweater and it looked like she had a half shirt on underneath that was plaid.  It also had plaid elbow patches.  Of course I thought to myself, I can do that!

Both fabrics were in my stash.  The pattern was also in my stash.

This pattern whips up easily.  It is well-drafted and goes together without any issues.  I added the plaid at the hemline and the elbows.  

View C has an overlay as the design and at first I thought I could just use that view, but duh, this is made in a knit and my plaid is a woven.  

I cut the plaid in the shape and length I wanted, hemmed it, and attached to the hemline.  

For the elbow patches, I played with the placement and size and sewed them on prior to constructing the sleeve.  

Super easy, right?

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Butterick vintage top: Sewn feature!

I had one of the biggest sewing honors of my life, and that was to be asked to make a garment for Sewn magazine.  I was so elated!  Michelle, the editor and founder of the magazine, asked me to make this pattern by Gertie.  

How cute is this little top?

This is Butterick 6563.  I was asked to make View C and I happily obliged.

This was an easy sew and I wanted to use something from my stash that I loved.  I chose this quilting cotton in a ditzy print.  I so love orange for summer!

I will say however that there was still snow on the ground when my hubby snapped these photos!

Michelle wanted a vintage look so I pulled my hair back, put on a scarf, my 'pearls' and my Keds.

This was a fun and fast garment to sew.  The pattern is well-drafted and I like the fit.  Mine isn't as snug as Gertie's but then again, she is much younger than I am!

If you look at the far right of the photo in the middle part, you can see the snow.

Not sure why I was leaned over to the left, but whatever!  

I like the back of this too.  I made a swayback adjustment and it was worth it!

Sometimes I have the goofiest looks on my face!

In this photo you can see that cute little pocket.  

I enjoyed making this pattern and a heavier cotton works just perfect!  I want to make the cap sleeve version with that cute little neck tie.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Butterick 6410 a cocktail dress!

Hello all!  I so enjoyed creating 2 dresses for Elizabeth's day and night challenge seen here: day-night dress challenge 

I choose this pattern, Butterick 6410, for my night dress.  I love super simple styles like this one that you can embellish to your heart's desire!  I had fun creating this dress.

Of course, I couldn't make it as designed without some tweaks, right?

As you can see above, I installed/adhered some swarovski crystals along the upper bodice front.  They were so very hard to photograph!  This was mid-way through the final placement. I so enjoy adding this embellishment--in moderation.  I always feel like when you are embellishing a garment, moderation is key.

Here you can also see that I added a faux leather collar, cuffs, and piping along the yoke edges, both front and back.  I am so pleased with how this turned out!

I really wish it would have been warm enough outdoors to take photos, but it was so cold I just couldn't do it. 

My fabric is one of the #precious fabrics from my stash.  Both the brocade and the faux leather were from Fabric Mart.  I have been waiting a long time to use these and this was the perfect opportunity. 

I really love how this fits me.  I made my usual swayback adjustment, which by the way, is very difficult in such a hefty fabric.

I also made a FBA, and swayback adjustment.  I just love this dress.  I am going to make this pattern multiple times.  Can't you see it so many ways with so many fabrics?

Thank you to Elizabeth for hosting this challenge.  I can't wait to show you my Coffee dress!  

If you haven't seen this challenge, check out the link above!

Sue

A new coat! Butterick 6423

This coat pattern is getting a lot of attention....look at how cute it is!  This is Butterick 6423

I love everything about it.  Here is the description from the back of the pattern envelope: Very loose-fitting lined coat has front shaped princess seam with pocket, curved gusset under arm, lower back seam with pleat.

I choose to highlight some of the design elements, especially the shaped front seam that extends into a pocket!  How clever!  Actually, that is my favorite detail....

I used a heavy wool coating I've had in my stash for quite some time, years actually!  This past Christmas, my two beautiful daughters challenged me to actually sew from my stash--now that's a novel concept, huh?  We agreed to not purchase a single thing in order to complete this challenge--which lasts the entire month of January.  While I am happy with many of the makes I've made, I know to make a dent in my stash, I have to extend this...at least until March!  Do you think I might have a bit of a problem?  I am however very happy that I finally sewed up this fabric.  And, I made a very colorful lining with a floral 100% silk that I've also had for several years.  I think this coat is a match made in heaven for fabrics!  

Construction of this coat is straight forward.  My only deviation from the instructions was when I inserted the leather piping I used...yes, this was also from my stash!  I decided to sew together the piping, insert the piping on the princess seam, and then proceed with the directions.  If I was a brand newbie, I would wait before trying this coat, despite the 'easy' rating.  There is a lining to insert, inseam pockets, lots of hand sewing, etc.  Make sure you have a bit of experience before you try this pattern.  It isn't difficult, but it does require a bit of precision and there are a lot of steps.

Fitting this coat is a bit of a challenge, and I could have done better...I may end up taking it apart a bit...or I may end up just enjoying the easy fit.

I made a sloping shoulder adjustment along with a swayback adjustment and that's it.  I looked at the finished measurements for the bust area and decided it should fit fine and it does.  

With this big old collar, I highly recommend under-stitching it all the way around until you get to where the collar roll stops.  Since my wool is so very heavy, I decided to topstitch 3/8" from the edge. 

This was a fun coat to make, and I received some nice compliments today about it.  Isn't it great when someone comments on your me-made makes?  

Thanks for reading!

I love your comments....

Happy sewing!

Sue

Butterick 6495

I've had great luck with the Butterick lifestyle wardrobe patterns and this one seems to be no exception.

I purchased this for the neckline on the top and dress.  Can you blame me?  It's so cute! 

My fabric is a gorgeous Stof knit I purchased in Baton Rouge, Louisiana while visiting DD1 and granddaughter 1.  Yes, I was also visiting the Son-in-law and need to mention him as he is a great guy.   

You can see the subtle stripe in the knit.  Gray and yellow.  Love these colors together!  

I made my usual alterations for a swayback adjustment and FBA.  I really didn't think I'd need the sloping shoulder adjustment and I was right, I didn't make it this time.  

This top is super easy to sew.  Had I had enough fabric, this would have been a dress.  The back of the pattern envelope tells you that 1 5/8 yard will get you a dress.  I had almost that much and there was no way it would work.  I would have a bit more fabric on hand that what the pattern calls for.  

Isn't that neckline just cute?  It is also modest and work appropriate.  Bonus--no bra strap showing!  

I love how this fits and looks with my simple gray pants I also made.  I see more makes using this pattern! 

Some of you have asked with stitch I use on my hems and here it is!  Number 19 or a honeycomb stitch.  It looks just like my coverstitch only doesn't misbehave.  I prefer this method over a coverstitch machine any day of the week.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Two TNT patterns!

I really love this Butterick 6330 pattern.  I've made it at least 3, if not 4 times.  

We've all seen how this Jalie Helene Shaw Collar Cardi is getting a lot of love and deservedly so!  I am included in all that love! 

I decided to combine these two looks with a simple modification or two and here is what this match looks like!

At first I thought, this cardi reminded me of a lab coat!  Not a look I was going for!

But somehow after seeing photos, things can look better, right?  

Here's an inside peek at the pockets and a modification I made which was to miter the front and lower hemlines.  

Yes, I do still need to get my applique scissors out and trim away the excess fabric.  

And here's the dress!  I so love this fabric!  

You can tell I shortened the sleeves of the cardi to elbow length. On the dress, I, for once, followed the instructions to make a narrow hem at the neckline and shoulders.  Typically I cut bands and sew those to the garment, but since this knit was so fabulous to work with (no rolling edges, stretchy but returned to original shape) I decided to follow the directions and simply make a narrow hem (gasp!).  Guess what?  It worked.  :)  

You'll see more versions of these garments in the future.  I'm not done with either of these patterns yet!

Thanks for reading!

Sue