The Grace Transeasonal Coat

I've finally made the Grace Trans-Seasonal Coat for the winter.  This is a StyleArc pattern, and you all know, I am a big fan! Here's a description: 

This is an easy-to sew, unlined coat with a fabulous collar--wear it up hugging the neck or open to give a more casual look.  Great deep buttoned pockets that are able to carry all that you need. Interesting seam treatment along with bound edges gives this coat a unique look.  

The Grace coat is a fashionable over coat and will become one of your favorites.  

I made this with a wool melton I ordered from Fabricdotcom.  I just love the color and the feel of this wool.  It doesn't ravel at all.  

I decided to add a lining to this coat to make it a bit warmer and I just love adding fun linings to my coat.  Why be boring when you can be bold?  Since the pattern didn't come with lining or instructions to line this, I drafted my own.  It isn't hard and there are so many tutorials online, you can find one that's easy to do.

The lining is a rayon by Telio found at fabricdotcom.  Again, I am a huge Telio fan and wow is this fabric not only pretty but I love how the color compliments the olive wool.

And, since I added the lining, I decided to add another touch and that was to the piping between the facing and lining.  I made my own (naturally) and love the custom touch! 

The buttons, which I really like, are from Hobby Lobby.  Right now, that's the only place in Sioux Falls I can get buttons for garments.  I've really got to stock up on things like buttons, zips, etc.  You never know when you'll need something and no one locally carries it. 

Would you look at my welt pockets?  I decided to add that little 'lip' at the top edge to give this a bit more oomph.  I love it!

You can't see it, but I also idd double rows of topstitching on the major seams.  

This coat is very oversized.  Based on the modifications I made, this is a size down from my typical SA pattern use.  I think it's pleasantly oversized but not so much so.

Can I have you check out how deep those pockets are?  My entire hand, up to the wrist, fits well inside.  

Plus, that collar!  You can flip it up and I added the buttons at the neckline.  If HL had two more of the buttons, I would have added them to the flaps on the welt pockets.  Dang.  I'll have to see if I can get more online. 

Thanks so much for reading!  I got my new coat completed just in time for the snow!

Sue :) 

Rebecca Page Jo Jeans

Hey, another review from Rebecca Page as a brand ambassador!  This time, it's a pair of jeans.  This pattern comes in variations and sizing for the entire family.  

I am reviewing the Jo Jeans, or ladies jeans.  Here's a link to the pattern: Jo Jeans Rebecca Page

These are slim fitting jeans.  They come in a large variety of sizes: XXS to 5 XL.

I made a muslin for this pattern and am glad I did.  These were extremely thin through the calf area.  Otherwise, the fit was really good.  I did have to do a few alterations since I am taller than what this pattern company is drafted for.  

The back yoke, which you can't really see since my hands are in my pockets, is uniquely shaped.  I like it.

This has all sorts of classic jeans styling.  These are comfortable and easy to wear.  I think my fabric came from fabricdotcom.  Love that site for quality fabric.

Yes, I will be making more of this pattern.  Try it! 

Thanks for reading!

Sue

More from Pattydoo! The Nora Coat

Today, I have another Pattydoo review for you!  This time, I made this adorable 'coat'.  My muslin was made from a wool blend plaid and my final garment was made from Telio sweater knit.  

I just love the design lines on this and the fact that the hood is lined.  As with the first pattydoo pattern I tried, the drafting is exceptional.   If you are interested, a link to the pattern is below.

Pattydoo Nora coat

I chose to make my 'coats' more jacket-like with no closures and with a lighter weight fabric.  

So, here is my muslin.  I thought I had matched up the plaid on the front band area, but apparently not!  I didn't have enough fabric to recut, so I am living with it.  You can also see, my band facings are made from a solid black.  In hindsight, I should have cut the black as the piece you'd see on the right side.  

At least my plaids match across the front band area!   You'll notice too that the sleeves are a tad short.  I corrected that on my final garment.  I am hoping this fits DD2.  She's shorter than I am, so this sleeve length is hopefully perfect. 

I really like that the hood is lined on this.  It gives a very nice finish.  There are no printed directions for this and there are videos, but they are in German.  Although, you can see the steps so if you have some experience, you can simply follow along and create this with no issues.

There are also side seam pockets that are very nicely drafted.  I do believe it you lengthened the finished width by about 1/4" or so, you could catch them in the band seam and then they would't flop around at all.

Here you can see those pockets.  I did tack them down to the band at the top and bottom.

Here's my second version.  I used this blush colored Telio sweater knit.  This fabric is so amazing and lucious!  If I can sew about 10 more things without purchasing additional fabric, I am going to treat myself to a few more colors of this sweater knit.  I just love it! 

Here's the inside of the jacket.  No judgement on the sewing room please! You can see the band facing is cut in two pieces. This saves on fabric yardage for sure.

I just love the fit of this.  I lengthened the sleeves by about 2 inches.  With this knit, I did leave the pockets off as I wasn't sure how the fabric would behave with the pockets constructed per the directions. 

I really took my time with this and stabilized the front band area, the shoulders, the back neckband and of course the hemlines.

This might seem a bit weird, but I starched each cut edge prior to sewing together.  I think it made the fabric a bit easier to handle.  

I did edgestitch the facing so it wouldn't roll to the outside.  

The directions have you add a piece of bias to the back neckline, which I forgot to picture.  I highly recommend this step, especially if you are using a knit.  There's a lot of weight on that part of the garment with the two piece and layer hem.

I think I have a new layering piece this winter!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Violet knit jacket by Style Arc.

Winter is rapidly approaching, and I wanted a few cozy pieces to layer up and keep warm.  

On IG, one of my favorite reviewers is @birdy_sew_obsessed.  She recently made this in a textured white and I was instantly in love!!!  Do you know the feeling?  I simply had to make this.  

I ordered this lovely, thick knit from Fabric.com.  The manufacturer is Telio and this is just lucious!  

It's thick, warm, and that texture!  

Since I knew this was exceedlingly big, I sized down one size from my usual SA. 

This pattern is well-drafted and goes together easily.  I made a few mods to the construction to give an overall cleaner finish on the inside. 

Would you just look at that fabric? 

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Patty Doo Zoey Colorblocked top

Today I have for you a casual, colorblocked top by a new-to-me pattern company called Patty Doo.  This company is based in Germany.  I fell in love with this design.  

And, here are the line drawings.  

This pattern is not available in English on Deutsch so I simply printed out the pattern pieces and figured it out.  It isn't difficult at all, as you can probably guess.  

If you are interested, here's a link to purchase the pattern or to look at their other pattern choices.

Zoey pullover

I picked my size based on the very helpful finished measurements chart included.  It's all in CM, so I used a handy calculator to translate that into inches. 

The fabrics I chose were from my stash and leftovers from a previous project and a purchase from the defunct Hancocks.  Am I the only one who is still mourning the loss of Hancocks?

Drafting on this garment is amazing.  Everything fits together beautifully and this sews together like a dream.

I really love this and plan on making more!

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Another pattern review for Rebecca Page...this time it's for a ladies coat.  Here's the pattern image:

Cute, right? 


From the website, the pattern is described like this:

The Stella coat is a WOW piece… Fully lined and tailored, this adventurous beginner to intermediate level pattern gives you a classically beautiful and flattering garment that can be worn as an extra warm layer or as the hero of your outfit!

Here's my description: This is a slim-fitting coat that fitted in the bust and upper torso.  It flares at the waist line to a dramatic high-low hem skirt.  It's fully lined, has optional welt pockets at the waist, an optional welt pocket at the chest, and an optional back belt.  There's a concealed button asymmetrical button closure at the front.  The lining shows.  

Here's my make: 

I used this orange sheltan wool from Fabric Mart.  I so love this color! 

The lining is from fabric.com and the maker is Telio.  It's a rayon blend and is so lovely! 

This coat has some fun details like the high-low hem and the optional pockets.  I can't imagine making a coat and NOT having pockets.  Where will your keys go?  

When I said this coat is slim fitting, I wasn't kidding.  I feel like it's a tad tight in the upper bodice.  Luckily one of my daughters lives not too far away, and I want her to try this on.  You can also see how the concealed button band lies in this heavy wool.  This probably wasn't the best fabric choice, but sometimes I just like to go big and bold.

The skirt on this is so dramatic! I really do like how the back fits on this.

That all lies really nice.

This coat was a labor of love.  It took time and I am not 100% sold on whether it's right for me.  I may make this again but will need to make some modifications to the pattern.  I felt like the sleeves were a bit small for the armscye.  I should again mention I was a pattern tester and hopefully with the final pattern they adjusted this piece.  If you decide to make this coat, check the pattern measurements and make a muslin.  You'll be glad you did!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Rebecca Page Sonia Skirt

Hi all,

Yes, I've been sewing.  Sewing up a storm actually, but I've been pattern testing and that takes time and you need to wait for the pattern release in order to post.  

Welp, that day has come!  

I was lucky enough to get to make this adorable skirt.  I love this pattern!  It is a fun and fast make and depending on your fabric choice, you can make this super casual or dressy.  It's up to you!  

I used a fabric from my staff.  This is a crepe in a rich print.  I can't remember where I got it but I suspect it was a Fabric Mart purchase.  This fabric was lovely to sew.  I am now a bit sad I waited so long to stitch it up.

This skirt definitely has a swish factor. 

Those little pockets are really nice too.  I made the midi length.  If I had enough fabric, I would have made it longer but I didn't.  With super swishy skirts like this, they are a bit of fabric hogs.

I love the fit of this straight from the package.  I made zero alterations to it.  I simply matched my measurements to the pattern and it fits perfectly.

I also like the belt loops.  Luckily, I had the black textured belt and it works with this quite well.

See how full this is?  I should also mention that I covered my own buttons for this.  I knew the buttons on this had to be special and covering your own was just the right touch.

My top, is the Itch-to-stitch Bellavista top in the softest knit from Sly Fox Fabrics.

  

I've made this top numerous times and I still plan on more.  How's that for an endorsement?  

But back to the fabric...

I found Sly Foxo online and went ahead and purchased the knit in several colors.  I am so happy with how this fabric looks, performs, and feels, that as soon as I make the four or so tops I plan to with what I have in my stash, that I'll order every available color.  It's amazing!

Thanks for reading!

Sue