Vogue 8842 Coat Update

I have been working on my Vogue 8842.  First thing I did was to wash the material.  I wasn't sure if I should because it is half wool and half polyester.  To my surprise, it came out of the dryer even more soft and luxurious.  There was a big ball of lint in the filter however.

I am sewing this with my Kenmore 100 stitch.

My welt pockets turned out quite well.  If you recall, I added the welt pockets, this pattern did not call for them.  Also, I made more of a regular collar.  The pattern used a single piece of material with the lining on the inside.  I didn't think I would like that.
  

The outer shell is almost done.  The only thing left are the cuffs.  Then  I will start on the lining.

I think I will cut the bottom band in half.  It looks too wide.  This will be easy.  It is pinned in place for the picture, because it doesn't get secured until after the lining is done.


In other news:

I purchased a Bernina 530 sewing machine.  It is a cute machine with  knee operation instead of a foot pedal.  Here it is next to my 731.

That is it for now.

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Vogue 8842 Muslin

I purchased some material at the thrift store to make a muslin for my Vogue 8842 coat.  The main reason I am making a muslin is because I am altering the pattern.  Plus, I have not made a coat before, so I am not sure on sizing.  I am using the size 38 from the pattern even though I normally wear a 36 long. I always dress in layers, so a little more room should be good.  The coat needs length added to the sleeves and body.  I am also adding cuffs and welt pockets.

Vogue 8842

Front view.  Left arm has cuff.

The muslin has come together nicely.  I did not line it or put in the zipper and snaps.  I only put a cuff on one sleeve to see how it would look.

Left arm with cuff.  Pattern calls for elastic, no cuff.

Collar up for cold days.  Yes, pockets aren't lined up on purpose so  I can find good placement.

Back

Welt Pocket close-up.  I substituted these for the Boxy Patch Pockets.

I had some difficulty with the pockets, since I have never made a welt pocket before.  After several videos on youtube and reading several books, I finally found a video that explained it beautifully for me. You can watch it here.  I did add interfacing to the welt-flap for stiffness.

Now that I think I have a workable pattern, I will continue with the real material.

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Quick Project !?

Joe found some beautiful wool-blend material at the thrift store.  I thought I would make a shirt for him in no time at all while I was perfecting my new coat in my mind.

Have you ever had one of those 5 minute projects that take forever?  This has been one of them.

I decided to use my favorite shirt pattern, Simplicity 7330 with short sleeves and a collar stand.  There was just enough material for a short sleeve.   Joe doesn't get cold easily, therefore a wool-blend short-sleeve shirt should work well for him

Once I started putting the pattern together, I realized I had cut the back into two pieces.  I haven't made this mistake since the first shirt I made.  I seamed the back pieces together.

Center Seam in Back. Horizontal is a wrinkle. 

Well, then when I was flat-felling the side-seams, somehow I ended up with a lumpy mess.  So I took out my serger and serged the arms and side seams.  Cutting off the mess and sewing it up in one action.  Another mess repaired.

Serged Seams

Then when I was putting the rolled-hem on, somehow I ripped a small hole in the fabric.  Good thing the shirt had extra length.  I cut the whole seam off and redid it.  No more hole.

The buttons were reused from an old ripped shirt.   I am glad I didn't have any problems with the buttonholes,  because they are impossible to repair.  My Kenmore 100 stitch sewed the buttonholes.  I think it did an excellent job.

Kenmore Buttonhole

Oh, I forgot to mention I sewed this shirt with my new to me Kenmore 100 Stitch.  All I can say is Wow!  I LIKE this machine.  Of course, I used my Bernina 731 for the rolled hems, and my Pfaff 794 Serger.

Kenmore 100, Serger, and Bernina 

One thing about learning to sew on your own, a person has to fix their mistakes without any guidance. This is called the "School of hard knocks".

The shirt turned out quite well even with my repaired goofs.  Joe thinks it is a beautiful shirt.  It is good for work and play.

Play Joe

Work Joe

Hunting Joe?

And of Course, I used my Singer 6268 to make the label.  I have a few machines that write, but I still like the font of the Singer.

Now for the coat project to begin.  I am actually go to do a muslin.  I have never done this before.

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