Sunday, August 5, 2012

Kestrel Coat for the Kidlettes

Surely you remember this coat?
A beautiful jacket and my first giveaway.
It got a good work out on our holiday and now it has jetted off to a little girl on the other side of the world.
So,it was time to make a new one.
And given my love of productive sewing and the fact that Matilda has grown.
Its was time to make two.
On our recent holiday Jed found this marvellous warehouse which sold all sort of treasures including fabric.
Digging through a box I found an amazing piece of wool coating in the most delicious shades of coral,jade,blue and pink flecked on an oatmeal background.
I had to have it!
I sent Jed up to ask the price and he came back with a big grin and declared it was $10 but warned me it had flaws.
It did have flaws but there was still plenty left to make Tildy a coat.
By placing it up to the light I was able to mark the worst flaws.
There were a few holes but mainly they were wear marks.
Jed suspected it was used to wrap something as packaging.
I used some funky Tula Pink Prince Charming for the lining and fussy cut the back piece.
(But I didn't bother doing that with the other pieces)
Liddy had commented that the sleeves were a bit grippy so I used a de-lustered satin for those pieces.
Now,for Liddys Kestrel....
I picked up a beautiful dark navy and cream woollen coating as a remnant.
As Lidia has sensitive skin(to match her soul)we decided to line the collar with the same satin.
I added the completed collar first to see if it would be a little less fiddly then the original method.
I stitched from the outside notch.


Trimmed the sewn section.
Turned and pressed well.
Leaving the seam allowance out between the notches.


I sewed it to the jacket outer matching notches and then folded it down while lining.
On Tildy's version I made the separate scarf section longer.
A piece of dowel is handy for turning.




Both turned out quite nicely!
Did you know you can purchase extra labels here?
Cute little size 2.
Those beautiful gathers.
Satin sleeves for dressing ease.
Funky frogs for the lining.
Elegant size 6 with a wee bit of length added to the sleeves for an extra season.
A thread-through scarf for a change.
Glossy black buttons stitched with green embroidery thread for some whimsy.






Satin scarf facing for a scratch free wear.
And some more Tula Pink fun to stop it being too grown up!


Thanks for stopping by!
x N
Full tutorial here

22 comments:

  1. Both coats are gorgeous, Nicole!

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  2. Thank you Cindy.
    I do love this pattern.
    xx N

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  3. Just beautiful and I love the attention to detail such as the smooth sleeves. I would have never of thought to do that!

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    1. Thank you Rachel.
      I cannot take credit for that idea,my friend Sandi came up with that one!
      xx N

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  4. You've outdone yourself again! These are tremendous.

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  5. Nicole:
    Great tip about using the satin in the sleeves to make the coat easier to get on and off. Love that frog fabric for the main linings for a flash of fun flair!

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    1. Thank you Erin,the sewing community is a great way to get some new ideas,I was given that tip!
      I like the cotton through the body so that the coat still breaths.
      (And the little girls love Tula Pink)!
      xx N

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  6. Your sewing is just magical! I just love those big buttons. Such lucky little girlies.

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    1. Thank you,magical,that is a lovely thing to say!
      I must admit to a big button liking plus Tildy finds them easier.
      xx N

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  7. Gorgeous, love your fun linings too! Before you know it, the cooler weather will be here, so I should probably start planning one now, even though it's still stinkin' hot here.

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  8. Thank you!
    I think you could safely draft the 3T and roll the sleeves up.
    This one fits Tildy just right(now)!
    xx N

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  9. I think I'll do that. When I sew, I always ask myself, "What Would Nicole Do?" (WWND)

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    1. That's fantastic-someone should put that on a wrist band!
      He he he,Thank you!
      xx N

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  10. These are both so beautful!! Is the pattern lined in the instrutions or is this a mod of yours?

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  11. The coat is fully lined Sharon,no facings,so it sews up quickly!
    Thank you!
    xx N

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  12. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.....!

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  13. Thank you thank you thank you!
    xx N

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  14. Beautiful. I just love the classic, Audrey Hepburn-esque lines of this coat. And your sewing is, as always, impeccable!

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  15. Thank you Inder,I do like this coat.
    You shall have to make one for your missy-moo!
    xx N

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  16. Nicole - can you remember if the guide to fabric length was accurate or quite generous. I have a smidge over 1.2m (for a size 5) and I'm keen to know whether it is worth me purchasing this pattern for this smaller amount of fabric. The guide suggests 1.5 yards but I find most guides to be quite generous (esp Oliver and S)

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  17. Hi Aynsley.
    If your fabric is not directional and you are happy to jiggle cut, I am sure you would get it out.
    I cut my lining and then used that as my pattern pieces, then I could but the pieces up together.

    I hope that helps!
    xx N

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