Faux Shaved Lamb Fall Coat - Burda Style 7028

I finished this months ago, and it was just in time for the midwestern mild winter.  

I've wanted to make View A for quite some time, and I knew I would make some changes.  Starting with, adding a collar.  And in this case I did just that.  Anyway, here is a quick pattern review of this coat project. 

Pattern Description:  Coat and jacket.  That's all Burda Style indicates on the envelope.  Their descriptions are just as vague as their sewing instructions.  But I must admit, they always have interesting styles.  So, I will add that view A is a cocoon style coat with waist darts and in-seam pockets.  Both views are lined and have drop sleeves.

Pattern Sizing:  The pattern comes in  sizes 10 to 22.  I used a size 16. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Pretty much.  I made a few minor changes.  Instead of one button, my coat has three. 

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were typical Burda.  Nothing difficult or confusing.  I did make a few changes in how I constructed my coat.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  

 

Likes:

• The cocoon silhouette of the coat.  I've never made or had a coat styled like this.
• The front in-seam pockets. 

Dislikes:

• Construction of the lining and how it is sewn to the coat.  I followed this step.  After I completed it, I tried it on to see how the coat would lay/hang on my body.  The hem was all wonky.  There needs to be at least an inch hem in the coat to help it hang better, which I did around the curve from one side to the other.  That improve the hang of the coat. 

Fabric Used: This coat is made with Theory black faux shaved lamb (#313222) from Mood Fabrics.  It has been in my stash for at least four years.  So Mood may not have it in stock anymore.  It is soft to the touch and has a knit backing.  It was easy to sew.  For the lining, I used a crepe back satin that I purchased at JoAnn's.  The weight of it adds a bit more thickness to the medium weight coat. 

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I really didn't do much in the area of fit alterations.  I used size 16.  But I think size 14 would have been better.  The sleeves were extremely long (Cut them to appropriate length) and the neckline is a little too roomy.  I did take in the sides about one inch for a slightly closer fit. I added buttons.  One button isn't enough.  Lol  And, I used the crepe satin to make the button loops.  No other changes other than the hem construction that I mention above.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I really think that I may sew it again.  Maybe next time with a detachable collar.  Just for fun.  I do recommend it to others.  You may want to make a muslin before cutting into your fashion fabric. Wink, wink.

Conclusion:   I like how this coat turned out.  It is quite different from any other coat that I've made.  So that’s it for now.

 

Happy Sewing!

C

 

 

Winter Is Coming!

"Winter is coming."  That's a famous line from the "Game of Thrones".  In the movie it means that something bad was about to happen.  In this instance, it literally means "winter is coming." Lol

It's time to start making "our" winter coats.  In my effort to "get ready", I decided to take a look at some of the coats that I've made over the past 15 years.  So this post is to take note of my coat making journey as well as inspire others. 

So here goes!

Butterick B6244 (2016)

Butterick B6385 (2018)

Burda Style Mag 10-2008-101 (2016)

Burda Style 6462 (2019)

Burda Style 6462 (2019)

Kelly Anorak Jacket (2021)

McCall M7254 (2019)

McCall M7480 (2017)

Simplicity S2057 (2020)

Simplicity S2508 (2021)

Simplicity S2812 (2011)

Simplicity S4356 (2011)

Simplicity S9388 (2021)

Simplicity S9388 (2021)

Vogue V1060 (2012)

Vogue V1216 (2011)

Vogue V1262 (2013)

Vogue V8212 (2016)

Vogue V9037 (2016)

Are you planning a coat project? How many? What fabric and color? Please share.

Happy Sewing!

C

Simplicity Shacket S9388 In Denim - Better Than The Last

Here I go again!  This is my second shacket, and I'm loving it even more than the first. 

This medium weight denim that I bought from JoAnn's is perfect.  For this version, view A, I decided to make a few changes.

The first was to change the design of the hemline.  I wanted to add a curve hem with slits on the sides.  So, I used a bowl the create the curve. then I decided the length of the slit. Easy, easy.  

With the first shacket I thought the front placket was a little too short.  But I wasn't absolutely sure because I added a few inches to the length.  For this version I cut the pieces exactly as instructed.  True enough, the placket is nearly two inches too short.  So after changing the hemline, I had to redo it and shorten the front enough to fit the length of the placket.  Easy solution.

Next change, I made the sleeve pleats deeper and I turned the upper part of the vent in.  The sleeves are really BIG, and the cuff too.  This change makes it fit a little better.

The final change was to use snaps instead of buttons.  I put them on today after finishing it a week ago.

This one is so versatile. I can wear it with almost any casual outfit.  today I'm showing two style options:  leggings, tall boots, and a colorful scarf and slim pants and a turtleneck top.  Not shown today, but definitely a great outfit for me too: a simple pullover dress cinched at the waist with a big scarf draped about the neck.  The style options are endless.

So, here's to the trending shacket.  I'm going to get plenty of wear out of this baby. ;-)

More to come.  Rhonda and I will continue our little sew along with a pink wool shacket.  So stay tuned.  Be sure to check us out on Instagram too.  There may be additional postings as we go along. 

Happy Sewing!

C

Shacket - Trending Now Simplicity S9388

Shacket (a.k.a., the shirt jacket)

 

 

Just a little inspiration today.  I added Simplicity S9388 to my sewing list.  I want a shacket.  I don't know what color yet. 

 

Stay Tuned.  More on this upcoming project.

Happy sewing and have a great weekend!

C

Updates

At the Mona Lisa in Los Cabos, Mexico

I didn't want another day to go by without posting something on my blog. We are in desperate times.  The world is suffering from the corona virus pandemic.  Cases of the disease are rapidly rising across the USA now.  Many states are on lock down, Illinois included.  This is a time that we NEED to be UNIFIED, compassionate, patient, supportive, and hopeful.  More importantly, we need to remain prayerful.

When I returned home from vacation on the 14th, I was not feeling my best.  I just thought I was tired.  But after a few days, I developed a low grade fever, congestion, a dry cough and sore throat.  Common symptoms to the corona virus.  So I was quarantined for 14 days with a promises of being checked up on by my doctor and a date to be tested for the corona virus.  Well, this is day ten of my quarantine.  My symptoms have definitely lessen.  On Monday, my doctor prescribed a Z-pack antibiotic to further help with my recovery.   Unable to leave home, I have depended on my daughter, who is a healthcare worker to do any shopping that is needed for my household.  It has been a challenge to secure basic necessities.  People are still hoarding goods and making it impossible for others to get what they need.  This is incredible.

I digress..,

In the mist of it all, I've been able to do a few things for myself and around the house.  Like taking care of my own personal hygiene and disinfecting areas where I had been.   Most of the time, I could get my own meals, not much cooking though.  I've spent most of the time in bed watching TV, texting, talking on the phone, on Instagram, on Facebook, reading, and thinking about sewing something.

It wasn't until Monday of this week that I was able to sew a little.  I made a dress and two tops.  Being in my studio a few hours per day, gave my an opportunity to survey some of the UFO's I managed to accumulate.  As I forge through my bags of projects, I thought about the Instagram Sewing Community making masks for their families and healthcare groups.  I want to do something useful too.  So today I decided to pull out some cotton fabric to try my hand at making a few.


Also, my thoughts have been on blogging and the lack there of these days.  I'm more incline to post on Instagram.  It's quick and easy.  At the same time recognizing that it is not the best platform to share all the details.  More and more, people are using Instagram and videos instead of blogs.  Ideally, I hope to find a balance.  Because I don't want my blog to die. 

There are several March projects I need to publish.  To name a few:  my black herringbone coat;  the orange and white Butterick dress, B6680; and the cream, black, and sand face Butterick 6674 dress. I hope you will continue to read my blog and share any comments that you like.  It's great to share and to journal my journey. 

In this time of crisis, stay well and busy.  We all must make the best of it and do what we can to help others.  No matter how large or small the deed, everything counts.  Be blessed and be well.

I decided to include a few pictures from my vacation.  It was a happy time for all that went to Los Cabos.

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

What's Going On

Hi everyone,

It's been a minute! Okay, several minutes (weeks) since I last posted.  I've been quiet on the blog this month, but I'm busy working multiple projects with most of my sewing time being sent of my latest coat project. This will be the second year that I chose to make a coat close to Spring instead of in the fall.  Believe it or not, it's a good time to make a coat in preparation for the next fall/winter season.  The excitement of having something new is not lost because it is the end of the season make.  Living in the mid west, I can expect at least two more months of cold weather and will probably get to wear my new coat at least a few times before it's stored in the coat closet. Then when winter comes again, it will be just as nice to have a new made coat to keep me warm.

My new coat is made using a Simplicity Project Runway pattern that I purchased many years ago.  I'm calling it a coat of many pieces.  The version that I'm making requires the use of 21 pattern pieces.  That's a lot!  I'm using a black wool blend from Minerva Crafts online store.  The plan this weekend is to finish my coat.  So stay tune to the reveal and full review.

Another thing that has been keeping me busy is pattern preparation for upcoming projects.  This year, I'll be trying several new jacket and dress patterns.  When I say "new" I mean it will be the first time to make something using them.  I'm continuing my plan to make a variety of jackets/coats to complement my wardrobe.  Additionally, my dress collection is a little anemic, in my mind. ;-).  There are a few I want to make this spring and summer.  Below are a few that I'm currently working on with  potential fabric already to cut and sew.

Mood Fabric #328986

Mood Fabrics #MD0368

So, that's my little sewing update.  Hopefully I'll have another post up before next week.

Happy Sewing!

C