Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Flirt item #1



Well seeing as though I'm not actually sewing a SWAP I thought I'd better come up with my own acronym.

I am sewing a FLIRT.

F for faith because you have to believe in your own creative capabilities when working with such restrictions; Luck, because stumbling across beautiful bargain price fabrics and finding just the right pattern requires it; I for intuition - because this kind of wardrobe relies on gut feeling alone; R for risk, you have to take a chance on things and T for trust - trust that in the end, the whole thing will come together.

Let me present you with Flirt item 1. The fabric is another Sally Army special - some cotton velveteen I picked up for $4. I wasn't overly keen on it but I thought it would make a good muslin for a suede jacket I was going to make. Instead I turned it into Simplicity 2508 . The fabric is horrible to press and I had to do it delicately under a press cloth and on the wrong side to avoid crushing the thin pile into a matte mess. The back in particular looks like it needs a long hot loving encounter with the iron. I think before I submit this for the competition I will have to get it drycleaned - and hand pick the hem as I bagged the lining and pressing alone will not support the turn up. (harumph!) However, I think you will agree with me that the back storm flap is a cute detail.




The lining is special though and I won't for a minute pretend it was a bargain I picked up after beating off other hopefuls. I got this from Salvage, where I paid a respectable price for a piece of vintage rayon. It is second hand though, so that's good enough for me.



The buttons were another Salvage find, $12 for a card of twelve, and I have been longing to use them ever since I first saw them. With this project I thought they would lift the garment and they match the lining too. I also love the feminine flowers on the trench styling - something so fragile and delicate on a military inspired design.



Well now my coverall is over and done with. I'm quite pleased about it because it can take me several weeks to make a coat and I banged out this one in just on a week, thanks in part to Queen's Birthday weekend and a husband on child minding detail, but mostly because this coat is very simple and I had already done all the fitting on the last version.

This version - gun flaps on the front, storm flap on the back, pleated cuff on bracelet length sleeve,aqua buttons, aqua top stitching.



There are so many ideas pushing around my head about what to make next. Who would have thought a wardrobe competition could be so much fun?

It's a good thing I'm enjoying myself because first prize is a an online class and a pattern, second prize is a pattern. For not winning, I thought I'd console myself with a subscription to La Mia Boutique - which at about $300 - will definitely be worth losing for.

post editing note: I have found out how to remove the puckers from the velveteen - press wrong side in the direction of the nap with a steam iron on top of a thick towel. Thank god for that - because if I'd had to take it to the dry cleaners I would have spent more on laundering than I did on the coat.

19 comments:

  1. Ooh, I love it, especially in that fabric and with such a great lining.

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  2. You have to tell us what the rest of the acronym stands for. Love the coat and its cost defying origins.

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  3. Love the coat, like the acronym, but feeling jealous that you keep finding such great thrifty finds!

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  4. I've thought of my own acronym to describe the Pattern Review prizes: CRAP.

    C is for cheap
    R is for reaaaalllly cheap
    A is for absolutely unforgivably cheap,
    P is for Perhaps it's better to go buy your own prize (As you are doing. Good for you!)

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  5. What a great coat. You are off to a flying start! I'd like to make a coat someday. Snooping around the internet, I've been scared off by interlining, sleeveheads, and other things pattern directions never guide you through!

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  6. Hey I bought that pattern and am just about to cut it out. I was reckless and believed you when you said it was easy - I cant even figure out which picture relates to which style on the pattern because they dont label them. However I am definately going to make it - and am double inspired by this one - the lining is beautiful. The coat is lovely. Love love it

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  7. This is brilliant! I'm very impressed. The lining is gorgeous and the buttons are perfect. What a great start to your FLIRT. I like that, too!

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  8. I think the coat is beautiful, I love the sleeves, the length and the cuff the way it swings out and all those flaps and tabs. When I start sewing again that coat is what I will make, without fitting it of course. When I first read cotton velveteen a fleeting image of a giant stuffed toy whizzed through my mind but no, it looks really great although as you say, an iron encounter will pull it to attention.

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  9. Love the coat - the detailing, the LINING, the BUTTONS are all great. I have to say though, that while I love the look of the cuffs, I'd never make them myself because I'd be scared my wrists would get cold. As soon as I realised that it made me feel 106 years old!

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  10. Great start to your sewing without a plan. Love all the bits of that coat as well as the coat (hope that makes sense!)

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  11. Nice job on the coat. I need to come fabric shopping with you...you find the bargains, I just find rubbish in thrift shops. Nice prize you are planning for yourself. Maybe you need to conduct your own competition and ask La Mia Boutiquie to sponsor it. I have been thinking the last few days that there is room to improve on the competition format. I have been enjoying the Me-Made-May outfits that have been popping up much more than I do SWAP outfits, perhaps because the garments have been made to work and accessorised.

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  12. Wonderful coat!! All the details really make it fabulous, and those buttons are perfect!

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  13. Looks fabulous! I am in awe of your skills. Looking forward to seeing what you make next.

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  14. This is such a fantastic coat! I can't believe that the whole thing was serendipitous....it looks a million times better than the garments that I carefully plan, plotting what fabrics, what buttons, what trim...this is WONDERFUL!!!

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  15. LOVE your FLIRT definition. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Ooooo... flirty.

    Sorry. That sure is a cute coat, though. I definitely think you're a shoo-in to win the prize that, you know, you picked out for yourself. Which is by far the nicest prize on your list. ;-)

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  17. Wow, beautiful coat. Good start of the flirt. Good prize to give yourself!

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  18. Ooh it looks great! I can tell you now you will be needing it today - bbrrrr!
    Love the lining and your contrast trims. For the hem maybe you can stitch the lower seam allowances together from the inside? I wouldn't worry about winning if that is your consolation prize...

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  19. Another gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous coat from Make It Smirk!!!!!

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