Friday, May 19, 2017

Vintage Simplicity 7948

Sometimes a sew is just glorious.
This one was one of those.
~Back Story~
We holiday in Winter, that is the quietest time, on farm, for us.
As a family we love Victoria.
It is so green and pretty and seems so glamorous after dusty, country South Australia.
On our trip last year we traveled to Daylesford to met up with a dear friend and her children.
Whilst there, we popped into Alpaca Passion , a beautiful boutique that had a large basket of Alpaca blanket lengths for sale (amongst other stunning clothing items)
Jed, Liddy and Tildy spent quite some time 'playing' with them and the lightness and warmth convinced Jed to buy some pieces.
They were jolly expensive, $150/m but 2m wide and the quality is divine.
Evidently, Alpaca fibre is hollow and that is why it is light but so warm.
Belive me, if my Merino loving husband was convinced this stuff is the bomb.
For such a special cloth I wanted a special pattern.
Lidia requested a detachable hood and a secret pocket for her i-pod. 
I found this pattern on eBay.
I took my time with this one.
Before I started sewing I interfaced the facings, the pocket edges, the sleeve caps, the front and back yokes, the front edges and both sides of the collar and collar stands.
This meant some areas were doubly interfaced and this was a perfect finish.
I overlocked all the edges of every piece, except the collar, pockets and hood, before sewing. This took some time but was well worth it to stabilise and neaten every thing.
I ended up using three different pieces of satin for the lining.
A thick, vintage satin for the hood which ironed with a very hot iron so I think it may have had some natural fibre content. I chose this for the luxurious look and drape of the fabric.
A soft but weighty satin for the sleeves and a very stretchy satin spandex for the body.
They were all remnants, thus having to use three pieces, with not quite enough for a full lining in the body but the wool is so soft it is not an issue. 
There are so many lovely details.
The deep tucks are stitched in place.
I resisted stitching them with pink thread as I can swop out the pink buttons if Tilly doesn't fancy them.
The pockets are fully lined with the pink satin.
I have noticed on high end clothing that the buttons holes are always sewn and cut, even if they are not functional, so I did that on the sleeve tabs.
The buttons are enamelled, coconut shell and are very lush!
The jacket has a neat A-line with good walking ease but is not bulky.
The back yoke has a beautiful cut and lots of room for Liddy's wide shoulders.
It actually fits me!
The hood is lined and removable.
The buttons are hidden neatly under the collar when not in use.
Lidia loves the hood.
I hand-sewed the hems with a deep hem, during the construction but the coat is edge stitched, as advised in the instructions.
I wasn't sure about this but is does finish it nicely and stop the thick fabric rolling.
 I noticed I didn't get the buttons stitched in quite the right position and the hem is slightly uneven so I must go back and fix that #latenightsewingmistakes 
The instructions were very good. They are to the point but everything I needed was there.
~Lidia's Verdict~
This coat is just so warm, it really feels like a blanket I am enveloped in.
It is extremely comfortable and there has only been one day that I haven't worn it. I think the removable hood is just lovely and very clever.
I still can't decide whether I like this coat or my brown coat that mum made me last time.(I think this one just wins)
Mum's so clever I feel as though I am forever in her debt.
Thank you Mummy I love it.

Thank you for reading.
xx N
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24 comments:

  1. Ohhhh Nicole - this is absolutely exquisite! Such a beautiful coat. Well done!

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    1. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of sewing it Masha. Thank you so much.
      xx N

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  2. That fabric sounds quite decadent. You have made a lovely job and I really like the pop of pink.

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    1. Thank you!
      It was truly lovely to sew too. I am about to start Tilly's.'
      xx N

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  3. That is so very lovely, N! It looks almost grown up but still nostalgic and child-like too.
    Congratulations, Liddy, you have a blue ribbon winner!
    It looks like it has a lot of ease for the size, yes? K fits in vintage 14 for the most part too. I may have to look for that pattern myself.

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    1. Thank you!
      Zara says she would wear it over her cocktail frock if she was going out in the evening, so I agree, it has quite a retro feel.
      It is very roomy, I can send you the pattern if you would like it?
      xx N

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    2. Oh that's very thoughtful, N! I'm afraid I wouldn't put it to good use though -- Kat is so fussy lately that I've given up clothes sewing for a bit-- and I'm sure you'll use it again 😉

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    3. Just let me know if you change your mind!
      xx N

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  4. P.S. K just saw it and says she is very jealous!

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  5. I love those tucks down the front and the hood - what gorgeous fabric! Lydia looks like she's even pleased to model it for your pictures :)

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    1. Thank you!
      I have found her snuggled in it, reading in bed.
      xx N

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  6. What a beautiful coat. The details and finishing are amazing! Your daughter looks lovely and suddenly so grown up!

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    1. I know, 13, it seems just yesterday she was wearing exclusively O+S!
      Thank you!
      xx N

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  7. It's divine. I can well imagine how lovely that alpaca wool is and the analogy of the merino-man being impressed is spot on! It's similar to a Japanese pattern I have but I don't think that one is lined so I just can't go there. Love this so much, and how well that girl praises her mum! (Clever kid)

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    1. Thank you!
      I know, when Jed pointed it out to me I was so surprised, he is a 'died in the wool' (sorry) SRS merino man.
      I am with you on he unlined coats, so much easier to get on and off, little extra bit of warmth and so much neater looking.
      Thank you!
      xx N

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  8. I love the pattern you found for this. Such a special coat, lovely buttons ;o)

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    1. Thank you!
      I was pretty happy too. Sometimes I think I have eBay fairies.
      I have used these buttons often, they wash up well too.
      xx N

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  9. Just stunning... and when you have two more girls to hand it down to (or can steal it for yourself!) then it's worth every penny and moment.

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    1. Thank you!
      I was very pleased when I worked out it fitted ALL of us girls.
      xx N

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  10. I know sheep can take up quite a bit of one's time with all the aspects but I am wondering if this is ever going to entice you to add alpacas as breeders to the mix? It would be a wonderful niche market I'd think in "dusty south Australia". The coat is wonderful! Such a lovely choice of fibre.

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  11. Oh Nicole!!! This is one of my favorite of your makes, ever! Just gorgeous - the fabric, the vintage pattern (swoon!), the tucks, the removable hood, the perfect buttons (soft pink!!!! ahhhh!), there's just so much to love about this. And when I got to Liddy's comments about it? She is a lucky girl, but you are a lucky mum! Knowing how to graciously thank people is an art, and she's got it!

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    1. Thank you, I must admit, I think it is pretty high on my list too (Hugo's peacoat just sneaks in as I sewed that in a post natal haze, I actually don't remember sewing it).
      It is so gratifying to sew for Lidia as she is very honest in the planning process as well. I think she has good visualising skills so she is not disappointed with the results. I am very lucky with her, having your sewing rejected can be very hard on your sewing back bone.
      Thank you!
      xx N

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