V8379 Dress: Silver White Winters that Melt into Spring

Posted in 2013 Sewing, Finished Projects by

Hey gang! I’m back with another creation. But, first, I’d just like to thank you so very much for all your wonderful comments on my coat post! I responded to each and every one of you. I might still get some more wears out of the coat since it’s proven to be suitable for temperatures in the low 50s (~11C). I don’t like to layer, which definitely helps!

Okay, so “toodle-oo winter” because it’s back to my newest spring creation, even if it was on my fall sewing list hehe. This is my second version (with a few changes) of the ever-so-popular Vogue 8379 wrap dress.

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M5717 “Sabrina” Coat: Live from Lincoln Center!

Posted in 2013 Sewing, Finished Projects by

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I finished! I finally finished! It’s so surreal after months of working on this (and having the fabric for well over a year)! My tailored wool coat based on McCall’s 5717 was finished a few days after the official first day of spring, but winter decided to hang around so that I could wear it. This is the first time in my entire life I’m grateful that it’s still cold. :) And where better to celebrate than at one of New York City’s greatest gems: the one and only Lincoln Center.

I call this coat “Sabrina” because, after watching a ton of movies during this coat project, I remember attaching the flap pockets to the coat during Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina. And she’s classy, which is what I was aiming for here. So…there you go, a name was born!

To see all posts in this tailored coat series, please click here. Otherwise, the curtain’s up so let’s get on with the show! Oh, and please pardon the photograph-heavy post – I’m just completely over the moon about how this coat turned out and the fact that it’s actually done.

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How I Adjusted M5717’s Armscye

Posted in 2013 Sewing by

Well, after a few days of snow in the city, we were greeted with a particularly lovely Saturday. A perfect day for Lladybird Lauren’s sewing meet-up if you attended. I was super bummed that I couldn’t make it, but I hope everyone had fun and I’d love to get together for a meet-up sometime soon! Perhaps April?

In any case, I wanted to dedicate a post to my adjustments to the armscye of the M5717 pattern that I’m using for my tailored coat. I had a hard time finding a tutorial in my books or online on how to do this, but I used a little common sense and bits and pieces of online information and went to work.

The problem? On my first muslin I reached up and found the sleeves pulling down tight on me at the upper arms. Through self-diagnosis, I figured out that this was due to the fact that the armscye was much too low (this apparently is a common issue with patterns – go figure!).

An article in Threads Magazine called “To Get the Right Armhole, Fit the Bodice” helped steer me in the right direction. I needed to raise the depth of the armhole, and here’s how I did it:

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I’m in the Mood for…Mood

Posted in Musings & Everything Else by

I’m sure I’m not the first to come up with that post title. Oooh, clever.

Remember how I said I was headed to the Garment District on Saturday for some top-stitching thread? Well, I decided to head to Mood! Guess where everyone else decided to go? Mood! The nice man working on the 3rd floor in the fancy suit fabric section said the best time to come on Saturdays was from 10-12 “when all the New Yorkers are sleeping.” After that, it’s party city! Duly noted, sir, duly noted.

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Random Photo Alert: Not Mood, but aren’t these travel sewing machines in the front super cute?!

On Saturdays they close at 4. Since it takes me 10 years to write a blog post, re-size and insert photos, edit, etc. I got a late start and arrived around 3. You have to take an elevator (or go up the secret staircase) to get to Mood on the 3rd floor. And you know the elevator operator knows everyone that gets in wants to go to the 3rd floor haha. Come to think of it, it’s pretty ridiculous how much energy is used up by that elevator going up and down constantly when all you really have to do is climb two flights of stairs! Oh well, I’m sure Mr. Elevator Operator doesn’t mind the job security. :)

Anyway, here is the scene at 4. The store appropriately put the song “Closing Time” on the loudspeaker:
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Sleeves and Pockets and Hemlines, Oh My

Posted in 2013 Sewing by

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The sleeves are in! That was the big project this past week, although I did some little things here and there elsewhere on the coat. As promised in my last post, here’s a full shot of the coat as it now looks. It’s odd because the photo looks a bit blurry (and it is in parts), but I think a lot of that is the visual effect of the fabric. Who knows. I’ll get better outdoor shots (at a fun location!) when the coat is done and done. :)

So, yes, here is the coat with the belt, pockets, and fuller/extended/non-ruffled skirt. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I’m working on a modified version of McCall’s 5717 – I decided to omit the ruffle and lengthen the coat to below the knee for a more classic look. It will also provide coverage to my longest dresses and skirts that hit just below the knee. I’m excited! I’ve already tried it on with heels. After all this time and thought, it’s such a natural high to see your vision come out as you had hoped. (There’s also a big sigh of relief that goes with it!)

What do you think of the mini model at left displaying its mini wool cape? It even turns around in the following photo of the back…

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