Inspired by Salvatore Ferragamo - Simplicity 2812

                                                        Oops forgot to press the loops on the sleeves.  Easy fix.

Today I was able to wear my first made-by-me coat of 2011. Believe it or not, this coat was a UFO. I first thought of making it back in February 2010. The fabric was a gift from Marji.

Salvatore Ferragamo's collection is all about black and white houndstooth. His designs are featured in all the top fashion magazines and are also posted on the Style.com website. Both Carolyn's and Erika B.'s recent creations inspired me to finish this coat sooner rather than later. And I'm glad I did. I'm very pleased with the results and am eager to get some wear out of this coat before the Chicago winds become bitterly cold. The black and white pattern can be worn with some of my favorite colors: red and purple. And of course black.

I used Simplicity 2812 to design my coat. Although it's not a new pattern, it is still current and has a lot of nice design elements. This pattern has been reviewed about 18 times on PR. So, my use of the pattern may not give any new information about how the pattern comes together or how well the instructions are written. But I did want to share my experience on making this coat.

Pattern Description: Misses' lined coat in two lengths and jacket with collar and sleeve variations. (Simplicity's descriptions are so vague. Seeing the drawing gives you a better idea of what's available in this pattern.)

Pattern Sizing: 4 - 22; I used size 14 with modifications.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. My finished coat was close to the cranberry (drawing) version on the envelope.


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. For the parts I read. At a glance, none of the instructions were vague or confusing. Typical construction of a princess seam coat.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? There are quite a few things I like about this pattern: the gathered collar, welt pocket, empire waist, princess seams for easy FBA, and the tabs on the sleeves. I have no dislikes.

Fabric Used: Woolen black and white houndstooth and for the contrast a black woolen. Lining - basic polyester lining from JoAnn's in white. Before cutting fabric I preshrunk it by pressing with a lot of steam.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Many changes:

- I wanted to maximize the use of the fabrics. The houndstooth is a loose weave woolen. So I decided to make bound button holes in the contrasting black fabric (tighter weave). I made them using a combination of Summerset and Sherry's tutorials.

- I interfaced the entire coat except for the sleeves for more support and body.
- Sleeve heads were added.

- Contrast fabric tabs, loops, front facing, collar, buttonholes and pocket welts. The contrast makes the coat pop.
- My standard FBA
- Lengthen the sleeves about 1 1/2" and the coat about 2".
- Added about 1/2" to the center front of the coat. I like a little more overlap at the front closure of my coats.
- My standard prominent shoulder Blade and swayback adjustments

Challenges: Matching the pattern of the fabric across all seams with the given fabric yardage.

Learning: Making this particular coat, I noticed that my right hand is significantly larger than the left. (Got to exercise the left arm a little more.) And this is my first time making bound buttonholes. The tutorials made it easy.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may make another view of this pattern, and I do recommend it to others.

Conclusion: I love, love my new coat. This was the perfect time to make it. Pairing the simplicity pattern with the fabric was great foresight on my part. It's classic and just in time share in the Ferragamo fashion sewing sphere.

All pictures are here.

Bag in Hand - Clutch Purses for Every Occasion

How many of you are glad to see the come back of the clutch purse?  Well, now they are hot.  Do you think clutches are way too small and very inconvenient?  Not to worry, they come in a variety of sizes and styles.  Some even have a shoulder strap to free up your hands.  I like the idea of clutching my purse every once in a while.  Here are a few jazzy pocketbooks that caught my eye.

I know some of you style goddesses will make you own purse this season.  Happy Creativity!
C

Inspiration comes from Vogue magazine.

Snake, Rattle and Roll

Snakeskin is big this fall, heavily featured in magazines and on the runway. I've always loved snakeskin. It's exotic and beautiful.

A few years ago, I made a faux snakeskin jacket that I'm still wearing this fall season. It's a great jacket to throw on with jeans or a skirt.

Last month, I made my first structured purse using a snakeskin print fabric from Vogue Fabric. Later I will make a matching jacket. This fabric only cost $4.99 per yard. It's reversible and rich in appearance. I think Vogue had it in three different colors.

Today's snakeskin inspiration comes from magazines: Marie Claire and Vogue. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Love, love the killer boots.  And check out the mixed media on the purse and jacket.

Interesting colors on these snakeskin clutches.  Off topic - Kewl boots that look like shoes.

Dress and blouse -  Snakeskin on top of snakeskin.  Interesting..,

Fall is Just Around the Corner

First, thank you for your many, many visits to my blog. And those of you who have left a comment or sent me a personal e-mail, I'm especially grateful that you took the time to send me a message.

I hope everyone's holiday weekend was as planned: sewing, partying, or just relaxing. I had a great weekend enjoying visits with friends and family and a little bit of this and that mixed in. On Friday, the weather was hot and sticky, but by Sunday the temps had cool down to the lower 70's. It's still cool today. The good thing is the sky is clear and the sun is shining. I love days like this, when the air is crisp. Good sleeping weather.

Fall is just around the corner. Or should I say it's here..., I've given more thought to what I will make this fall, but feel like I can't get started until I finish up the few summer projects that are still in the works. On Saturday, I managed to finish up two skirts (will review next). I still have the unity conference outfits to make (white) and a few items for vacation. So the next two months my projects will be a mixture of summer and fall.

There are so many things I want to put at the top of the list, but there isn't enough time or enough me to get it all done. So I'm struggling with what to make first. Anyway, I wanted to leave you with a few things that have provided some level of inspiration for the coming, here already, fall season.

Something neutral or beige is on my list. I'm leaning forwards a beige coat. (Leftover from last year.)

Something with dolman sleeves. I like this top and the trousers.

Something red. I thought about color blocking red with something else. Red by itself is good.

These are but a few inspirational ideas on my fall list. What's on your list?

Happy Tuesday!
C

Fall Is In The Air

Still have a few summer projects in the works, it's past time to start working on my fall wardrobe.

At the top of the list are; a black and white hounds tooth coat. The fabric is a gift from Marji. This coat is right in line with the fall collection of Salvatore Ferragamo. Erica B. posted some of his fall collection on her blog. This UFO was started over a year ago. It's cut, ready to sew and would be the perfect alternative to the traditional trench coat. Vogue 1257 is also high on the list. I want to make this before the harsh winter comes. What's on your list?

A few months ago, I received the Pantone color palette for Fall 2011. I like phlox, deep teal, and coffee liqueur. You may see these colors in my fall wardrobe. The color report it below for your convenience.

Happy Sewing!
C