Wednesday, 26 July 2017

1940s Claremont Coat - Decades of Style

July in Melbourne, Australia can get quite chilly.  I'm sure, that by comparison to other parts of the world it's relatively mild. June was quite warm by comparison.

I really like this weather, but, it's only good if you are suitably rugged up.  So herein lies the problem. You throw your favourite coat out because it started looking tatty last season with every good intention of making another coat before the next season.  As I said good intentions.

As you well know, I've reached a sewing block in my head, usually I'm enthusiastic.  I can not give you any good excuse as to why I haven't been sewing, I just haven't.

I purchased the pattern to the 1940s Claremont Coat  from Decades of Style a while ago. A beautiful, stylish coat.


It came in PDF format, and so had to get it professionally printed, I ummed about the cost of printing (around $35) - because the width didn't meet the standard size of their printing machines (I'd already spent around $25 for the PDF pattern), and then decided that I'd come this far and spent the money on printing (that was our Summer 2016/2017).

I wanted a coat that would make a statement, something I couldn't find in a shop.

Five weeks ago, I decided to cut the pattern. The coat of course had to be a red wool I had. I needed that half a metre extra for the sleeves, frustrated I continued and had to cut them on the fold.  Adjusted for my measurements as the pattern only came to a size 46, cut the fabric and lining.  There it sat for another three weeks.

It's Friday July 21 and a week ago I finished the shell and lining.  It is coming along quite well, after a few hitches.  This is not a difficult pattern.  However, I think I am going off road with the instructions for attaching the shell to the lining as there is too much hand sewing in the instructions.  At this rate, I'II be 100 before this coat is done.

I don't know what my mental block to sewing has been about.

It's getting real cold in Melbourne at this stage, 1 (one) degree celsius over night. Icy over the day (when there's no sunshine); yard duty as a teacher is not much fun.  This needs to be my motivation to finish this coat this weekend.

The story will continue with the big reveal.....

Happy sewing everyone

Sandra

#vintagesewing;  #vintageinspired; #handmadewardrobe; #memade; #memadeeveryday; #isew; #ilovetosew; #lovetosew; #handmadewardrobe;  #handmadeeveryday #sewcialist #letsmakethings #letssew #handmadeclothing #sewinglove #sewingproject #sewing #sewingpattern #handmadewithlove #imakemyownclothes #isewclothes #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizefashion; 

Saturday, 8 July 2017

What to make with vintage fabric?

The items I've made were inspired by a vintage fabric that was my mother in laws. I was feeling a bit blue and the bright fabric cheered me up (my back has been giving me trouble for sometime now and my pain tolerance was down).

How could I use this fabric for practical purposes?

My thoughts started in the bathroom.  We always have toilet rolls sitting on the side of bath.  Why not have something cheery for them to sit in:


There are many tutorials on line for making these fabric baskets, it's hardly rocket science.

I've been toying with the idea of a patchwork/quilted bath mat.  So why not one to match?

Here it is (finally - it's been on my mind for over a year):


I'm happy with the outcome.  Husband questioned how Victorian it is (our house is of the Victorian Era), but, I can justify that the extension (where the bathroom is) is not original to the house and hardly Victorian!

Anyhow, I'm happy with the outcome (the very colourful fabric is the vintage fabric).

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra