I guess I'm back. I was able to accomplish a LOT on my coat today. In fact, it's all sewn up except for a belt, belt loops, snaps, and the inside seam where it needs a bit of hand sewing. There is one problem. I don't have enough to make a belt out of the same material. This is a purple wool belt from this other Burda coat. I am thinking that I may try to find some black leather and make a black leather tie belt. What do you think? I'm not sure if it will look too thrown together. Maybe with some nice plaid belt loops it won't look too bad. Maybe I can make them thick and do four of them or something. I'm not sure . . .
Overall? Well, I love it, of course. Nothing screams Dawn like RED, PLAID, and BRIGHT!
I love how the plais lines all come together in the back. I put the collar on the bias because, well, why the hell not?
I think I'm going to use these big sew-on snaps. They are fun and I've always wanted to use them in something. My iPhone is there for reference. These puppies are big-uns.
Here's the intersection of the facing, lining, and hem. Usually I can never get this area to look decent. I used this Thread's tutorial this time. It seems to work really well and it doesn't look bad. I've tried the Fashion-Incubator tutorial for bagging a jacket and it never works for me.
This is another Gorgeous Fabrics fabric. I was planning on doing an Ann fabric every week while she was doing her hospital visits but then the bottom of my life fell out. I was still thinking of you Ann!
I think black leather would look cute, or maybe a solid of one of the colors in the fabric (such as if you could find a match for the red), especially if you added some other detail that had the same material incorporated into the coat. I think that way it might look a little less 'thrown together.' Maybe you could add those additional bands on the sleeves? I don't know what they are called, but they are like little belts on the sleeve wrists, and can be adjustable, and have their own little 'belt loops.' My winter coat has them. Like in this picture: http://shopimages-pe.delias.com/156544_gym_w.jpg
ReplyDeleteAnyways, it's looking cute! :)
I love your coat, but I'm more concerned with the 'bottom of my life fell out' comment. Hope things are ok/get better soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the coat! I like all the lines formed by the plaid, too. Question--what are the dots on the front of the coat? are they placeholders for the snaps? I think that a belt that picks up a color in the plaid will work. Black is easy because it's easier to match, but I think that beige or red (if you can find the right shade) will work. I'm glad to see you back--I hope that you are able to find some equilibrium. Take care!
ReplyDeleteRose in SV
Coat looks good! Do you have enough scraps to make a belt with a strip of the fabric on black leather? Or red leather might be good.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I agree with the other comments.
Gaby
Agree with all other comments re red leather if you can find a match (is it a match for your previous leather belt). Also troubled by bottoms out of lives - bottoms out of jeans are bad enough!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you back blogging. Your coat looks great. Sorry no real ideas on the belt. Some of the comments left already seem pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a belt which is partly fabric partly leather, as it would look deliberate rather than like you lost the 'real' belt and added one in from somewhere else. Other details in the same leather e.g. covered buttons, wrist straps etc would all echo the fact that the second fabric was deliberate not an addition.
ReplyDeleteA perfect plaid coat! I think a black belt with plaid loops will work really well.
ReplyDeleteYour coat looks wonderful! THe plaid in the back is pretty darn awesome. I'm glad that you are back, and hope that things are better for you soon.
ReplyDeleteYour coat is smashing! What a grand job with the plaid lines... I am so impressed!
ReplyDelete"I guess I'm back. "
ReplyDeleteOh Dawn, that sounds so tentative. I hope everything works out okay for you. Almost every one of us has had the bottom either drop out or be kicked out from under us. Hang in there and be strong.
Your coat looks beautiful. I would make a leather belt, but not a tie belt. I think for that coat I would go with something that has a very cool buckle. MJ Trims has some nice ones: http://www.mjtrim.com/Catalog/Category/425.aspx.
Hugs
Ann
I like the contrast with the dark belt so I think black leather would be great. I also like Plummy's idea of incorporating the black leather somewhere else too, maybe a purely decorative sleeve tab, but that may not be possible since the coat is done.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back! I hope you get the bottom back soon. :-)
So glad to see you back. I hope things will be OK.
ReplyDeleteGreat coat! I'm sure you'll make a great decision on the finishing details.
Love the coat! And, I agree with Ann (on everything). So glad to see you sewing! It's therapeutic, so keeping moving forward and you'll find your balance. You remain in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute coat! I like the black belt, and kudos on the finish at the corner....that's a spot that I have trouble with too :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad your back. Love the coat. I think the black leather belt will look great. If you had known ahead you could have used the leather for the upper collar to tie it in.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you back Dawn. I was wondering if you were ok. I love reading about all the wonderful things you make and you sure do inspire me.I often wonder where you find the time to sew so many great things. Sending good vibes your way. Kathy Perth Western Australia
ReplyDeleteThe bias collar looks great -- much more interesting. I think a plain, wide, black belt with a buckle would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteReally nice job with the plaid. Makes me want to get my hands on some myself . . .
What a beautiful coat. LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI really hope things are better soon. You're in my thoughts. {{hugs}}
Hope you take this comment with a grain of salt. I like the belt idea. Maybe one side leather and one side the fabric, if you have enough. But I am not sure I like it tied in front or that length. To me it makes it look too much like Luke Skywalker. But then, wha'doIknow?
ReplyDeleteHang in there, girl. Spring will come every year, you know.
Love your coat, and hope (truly) things get under control the way they should be. A chain type of belt with red non shiny leather maybe.
ReplyDeleteOOh! This turned out very nice indeed. I like how you cut the collar on the bias-- it adds some interest to the back of the coat. And, I LOVE the huge snaps!
ReplyDeleteI like the coat a lot! I just used some snaps like those (on a red plaid coat, of all things!) and the snap shredded the thread. I don't know why, but the metal edges were very sharp and cut right through. Maybe try a quilting thread or something stronger than normal thread.
ReplyDeleteSide note: I know it can be tough to adjust to a "new normal," especially if it's something you haven't anticipated. I hope things get better for you, and that you get the strength to deal with what's come your way.
Nice coat Dawn! And you're right, it's definitely so you! Thanks for the Threads tutorial! And glad to have ya back and I hope life for you is able to calm down a bit.
ReplyDeleteHaving the bottom fall out of your life sucks rocks. SO sorry. You've got virtual buddies here rooting for you. PS - the bottom of your life grows back, eventually.
ReplyDeleteI've missed you! It's good to see you posting again. Your coat looks great and I imagine a black leather belt would look nice.
ReplyDeleteBut where are you going to hide your light saber NOW?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're back, and sewing, too! We're here for ya!
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn, so glad to see you back! You are an inspiration to us in "blog world!" For two years I have been climbing out of hole that became my life. It has been difficult but sewing has helped me refocus and renew. Hope it works for you. Love, love, love the plaid...red is great. I like the idea of a belt with a buckle. Maybe black leather with the buck the size of one of the plaid block repeats????
ReplyDeletestedelIt's great to see bright, red and plaid Dawn back! I too think a black leather belt with several wide loops would be terrific. So hope that sewing is helping you cope with that bottom area. Your friends and fans are rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteLove that jacket! Great fabric; great to have you back!
ReplyDeleteWell you look just smashing darling....
ReplyDeleteAnd I vote for red leather belt. Would you have enough plaid material to cover a round belt clasp with it?
P.S. The book Jackets for Real people: Tailoring Made Easy / Marta Alto, Susan Neall, and Pati Palmer gives really clear illustrations for how to tackle that facing-hem-lining intersection totally by machine.
ReplyDeleteLovely and bright. Perfect for you and your VERY cold winters. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great looking coat on you. I like the idea of a black belt. Thanks for reference on tutorial.
ReplyDeleteGreat coat! I like the black belt idea with plaid holders.
ReplyDeleteGreat coat. Glad to see you're back and hope things are better soon for you.
ReplyDeleteI just began reading your blog in Feb and love your enthusiasm for sewing and willingnesss to share your skill.
ReplyDeleteI did miss you and I hope all is well, but really, I don't think you should feel like you need to explain your troubles to readers.
I hope all goes well for you and your coat is beautiful. I have been dying to see the product. It really is beautiful!
Hope things level out for you soon. I'm thinking of you. Your coat dress looks lovely. I really like that color on you. Great job.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be reading you again!
ReplyDeletegorgeous fabric... my style!
ReplyDelete