Thursday, October 6, 2011

Purple Coat Pictures and a Review!

I found a cord to transfer photos from my camera! It's not my cord, but it works!




I made a few mistakes. but I'm not telling.  Let me know if you notice the glaring one.  I was so upset I almost cried.  

So things I would do differently if and when I make another coat/jacket:

  • Interface the collar better and maybe even tailor it.  It wrinkles badly, and it makes me sad. 
  • Interface the hemline of the coat
  • Interface the tie.  It did not call for it, but it would be nice if it had more body.  
  • Use Polar fleece instead of hair canvas to set in the sleeves.  I used a method I found online and it worked well, but left the wrinkly marks of the curling hair canvas inside the sleeve. Because the self-fabric is not very thick or lofty, I can see the canvas rippling at the sleeve cap. 
Things I'm happy with:

  • I'm pretty happy with the fit.  It fits as well as other coats I own, so yay!
  • I love the color.  I feel very unique.
  • The retro look.  Peter pan collars are in for Fall (I just spent 3 hrs. photocopying international magazines at my new internship and I saw a whole lot of peter pan collars)
  • The covered buttons! These are my favorite (and the sleeve bands).  Making the buttons was so easy.  I used 1 1/8" buttons because that is all I had. I barely had enough and used two different vintage brands. I have a huge stash of buttons to cover I got for $3 at a flea market.
  • My top-stitching is pretty amazing!  Not gonna lie...

 
The front. Oh I love the buttons!

The side, with the belt tied in back.  
The back.

The 3/4 view. I love the pockets too!
Speaking of pockets....
So exciting.....
Sleeve bands, and buttons!

The lining!  It wasn't difficult to figure out at all!  

Pattern Description:

McCall's Misses coat/jacket pattern with various lengths, collars, and sleeves. I made view A but with added sleeve bands.  
Pattern Sizing:

8-14 I made a size 8 with some modifications. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yup, pretty much. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Very, very easy.  I did mess up the collar though.  I think I interfaced the wrong piece and then put it on backwards so it folds left over right instead of right over left.  Oops. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

It was very easy to fit.  My first muslin of M6246 was AWFUL!  I switched patterns as a result.  

Fabric Used:

A wool woven coating or suiting.  It is kind of in between weights. I got it at the LA Garment District.  The poly lining is from Jo-Anns.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I added the sleeve bands.  The coat folds over left over right like a man's jacket.  Oops.  I took the CB in an extra 1/2" total from the notch and then blended back to zero.  I needed the ease in the upper back, but the lower back needed some fitting.  Also placed the buttons where I wanted them, not quite according to the pattern.  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yup.  One day I will make the the other collar version.  I have some RTW trenches that I love, so I probably won't need a new coat any time soon.  
I highly recommend this pattern.

Conclusion:

In the future, I would interface the collar better.  It is wrinkling annoyingly, but everyone I've asked says it looks fine. I'm just being critical.  Also, I would interface the bottom 4 inches of the hem.  It needs some more stability.  





 More pics...The Boyfriend, who is A-ma-zing, took so many!






8 comments:

  1. Super!! I don't see a glaring mistake. I think it looks great! You must be tickled pink with it,umm or tickled blue in this case :O). I too just love covered buttons.

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  2. Wow Rebecca, what a terrific coat. Love the detailing on the sleeves and the fit is perfection.

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  3. I love it! What a great fabric, and I also love the buttons. I have this pattern, and I didn't like the rounded collar in the pattern photos, but your version has me convinced that it's awesome. Well done!

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  4. Hi Rebecca,

    Truly inspiring! What a beautiful job you did on your coat ! I pinned it at Pinrest ! Perfectly done!McCall’s 5525 www.burdastyle.com Beautifully done. First timer coat, Stunning!
    http://pinterest.com/pin/296367856/
    Very Best Regards,
    Elise

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  5. You did a fantastic job, I love the color too! The "glaring" mistake isn't obvious at all, you did an awesome job with this coat, and you've inspired me to make a red one for myself:)

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  6. Looks fantastic, but then again I knew it would when you purchased the fabric! :)

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  7. Great looking coat in a great color - and the men's wear detail is a feature, not a bug!

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