Wednesday, February 17, 2010

McCalls 5759

Let me tell you a little story. Way back in the year 2008, in September, I began a project that would define my life. I began to make a wool coat.

McCalls 5759:


Specifically view A:


I had purchased the fabric online from fabric.com: a coat weight wool in black with white flecks. It was expensive (to me) at $9.95 a yard. I cut the fabric, saving every scrap of the glorious wool. I lovingly sewed the coat together and it came together beautifully, although each fitting was itchy.

I had high hopes my friends. I imagined myself traipsing around Europe in my stylish wool coat. I only had a few weeks to finish the coat, but I was sure I could.

I started on the lining, was frustrated right off at how slippery the stupid fabric was, and how odd it was to try to sew slippery, no body lining to a full body, non slippery wool, sewed the wrong pieces together necessitating some seam ripping, got frustrated, said a few swears, and put the coat and the mal-sewed lining in a box vowing never to rip those seams out and cursing the lining. And I vowed that I would take a coat I already had to Europe, so take that stupid lining and wool coat that made me so angry I could spit. Ha! No Europe for you.

Fast forward to a few months later: my dear friend Sarah ripped those seams out for me. But I was still too angry to pick the project back up again. So back into a box.

Until a few weeks ago. I found confidence in my ability to sew from the projects that I recently completed, and decided that I would finish the coat once and for all. And you know what? Not that much work was left to be done. This all just brought me to the conclusive conclusion that I am, indeed, lame. And have a short fuse.

So here is the completed coat, in all of its glorious glory.


Look how happy I am that it's done!


Flash makes me happier.


So I really haven't mastered the art of self-portraits.


But I'm trying.


Here's a close-up of the buttons and fabric. The wool is so cozy, especially when lined to protect me from the itchiness.


Here's my messy hair.


And my attempt at backwards self-portraits.


Try again Gordita.


Ahh. There you go.


Cute buttons that TC picked out. Also, non seamstress TC taught me how to sew on a button all fancy like on REAL wool coats. (You know with the big knot underneath the button?)


Line them buttons up!


$^&@#*%@# lining!

The end.

8 comments:

  1. SO cute! I have self-portrait issues myself, but I think you managed beautifully.

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  2. WOW - you are fantastic!! A wool coat. I wouldn't even have the courage to begin such a project. It turned out so well!!! good job.

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  3. You getting these sewing projects completed makes me decide I just need to pretend I'm finishing mine by living vicariously through your accomplishments. Saying that "my friend" finished a sewing project is almost the same as saying "I", right?

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  4. Wow! This is beautiful! Great job! I'm very very impressed! One day I'd like to make more than just pillows :)

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  5. I love that coat! And you look amazing! Good job Gordita.

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  6. I am going to be the third Angela making a comentito... and it might be over the top because it will be hitting on several of your last many posts in one convenient place:

    first: you are amazing. really. amazing.

    second: your new custom-made clothing line for you is stunning.

    third: you totally need a charlotte. (what is a Charlotte? you ask... it is a homemade dress form that you use duct tape to wrap an exact replica of you...)

    finally: you look beautiful. enough said.

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  7. Holy crap, that's amazing! Seriously I don't think I could ever sew anything like that. Sigh...envious...

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  8. Third Angela: I totally want to make a Charlotte. I've read about it, and look longingly at dress forms. Maybe someday I'll gather up the courage to make one.

    Everyone: Thank you so much for the encouragement and kind words. When I get frustrated (like at that stupid coat lining) I have your kind words to fall back on and it really helps me keep going. You gals are the best friends I could ask for!

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