A designer housecoat?

I made Vogue 1239 over a year ago, to use as a robe and swimsuit coverup.

It is meant to be a wrap dress, but I knew when I first saw the pattern that I would prefer it had a different use.  You see, if I am going to work hard enough to do all that topstitching, I want to be able to wear this thing more frequently than you can wear a high-impact dress.

And anyway, who wouldn't want an overlay fancy housecoat?  I made mine so that it could be worn with or without the belt.  I added a button closure to the front so that it can feel secure no matter what.

I used a very soft cotton broadcloth for the outside, and a floral cotton lawn inside (the same as is on the belt).  And I think its pretty obvious from these photos that I have not been ironing my housecoat.

But I do highly recommend Vogue 1239 as a well-executed designer pattern, whether you want it for its original purpose or for an alternative one!

Coats! (part 3 - a classic trench)

I was a pattern tester for Tasia of Sewaholic Patterns for her newest pattern, the Robson coat.

It is a classic-styled trench coat with a gazillion buttons (okay, like 20ish).

I used a heavy cotton twill in forest green for the outer coat pieces, and I found some matching green buttons.

I used an Amy Butler fabric as an accent under the collar and under the flaps, as well as inside the pockets.

I am a big fan of two-piece sleeves - they curve with your arm and fit so much nicer than one-piece sleeves.

Some detail shots:

Here is a close-up of the bias binding used to finish the seams (I used around 15 yds). You can also see the lining peeking out of the flap.

pocket lining (above) and collar lining (below).

Overall, I consider the Robson Trench coat pattern to be a great staple for any wardrobe.  There is a good chance that I will make another.  Thanks Tasia, for the opportunity to test this pattern!

Made Me May: Week 2 continued

I made it through all 7 days of week 2 wearing me-made clothes!  Here is a recap of the second half of the week.

May 9: The shirt is a heavily modified version of Simplicity 2255.  I removed all the darts, and added gathers at the shoulder seam for shaping.

I also altered the button positions, so that they are placed in pairs down the front placket.

The jeans were altered to a narrower trouser-style fit from the original wide leg trousers that they were.


May 10: This is a self-drafted shirt with a modified princess seam and cap sleeves.  This is quickly becoming another of my go-to shirt patterns.  I used this pattern to showcase one of my favorite Liberty prints, the Tatum in aqua.

Even the side view shows pretty decent shaping.  I'm pretty proud of this pattern!

May 11: I went walking about Boston proper on Saturday in this dress, made from a pattern that I cannot find (it's either butterick or simplicity).  The front wraps around to tie in the back.

It also has side-seam pockets, useful when strolling about town.


May 12: Sunday was a lazy day.  I hung out around the house sewing in this comfy knit shift.  This was a very simple A-line dress with raglan sleeves, finished with white bias binding.  
That's it for week two!  Stay tuned for the rest of MMM'13!

Also, happy Monday!

Coats! (part 2 - the Minoru Saga continues...)

This winter, I completed my second Minoru (but just in time for Spring to arrive).

This one is made with a burnt-orange hued wool with a herringbone weave.  The fabric itself feels amazing.

I made this version a bit longer (about 6 inches), extended the front pieces to get rid of the zipper placket, and then added a covered placket.  I also added welt pockets on the outside.
For the record, I am not a pear shape, but I like pretending.  I usually consider myself to be either a rectangle or an inverted triangle (my hip and bust measurements are almost exactly the same).  But by choosing clothes which exaggerate my hips I can minimize my bust a little more, which is why I tend to like Sewaholic patterns.
  
The hood is lined with a plaid silk - very luxurious.  The coat is also lined in the same silk, except for the sleeves which are lined in a more slippery solid burgundy-colored silk (not shown). 
Here you can see the zipper placket a little better, as well as the lining, and my "hidden" inside pocket.
I also left off the elastic cuffs and the elastic waistband, instead putting two pleats in the back to give a bit of shape.  I will be very excited to test out this coat fully come winter.

Made Me May: Week 2

An update on MMM'13:

May 6: This is Simplicity 2255.  Probably the first button-down shirt I ever made.  

This one has a few flaws (the interfacing I used in the placket and collar causes most of them), but it is still a shirt I wear often.  I call it my Asian Lumberjack shirt, because of the combination of mandarin collar and plaid fabric.

May 7: Vogue 1314 made out of a silk jersey. I like the side gathers, the longer length, and the sleeves on this pattern.  I've been searching for more go-to knit patterns that could be used for work clothes and this one definitely fits the bill.

The dress turned out a smidge tighter than I prefer, but that is mostly because my silk jersey is not as stretchy as regular knits.


May 8: This me-made outfit it self drafted.  The skirt is the second garment I EVER sewed and the first one I made without a pattern.  It is made from an embroidered border-print cotton and lined with a sheet (I didn't have any hemming to do).

The top is a self-drafted pattern I made recently, finished entirely in french seams.  It's a very universal blouse, and goes with most everything in my closet.
I did redo the zipper on the skirt last year, because my original attempt left a white zip showing, and a small gap between the top of the zip and the waistband.  It's all fixed now!
I hope your May is going swimmingly!

Coats! (part 1 - a.k.a. an Ode to the Sewaholic Minoru)

I don't know why I like making coats so much.  I have made at least 6 so far (4 for me and 2 for the husband).


I previously showed you my first trench coat - a grey, raglan-sleeved coat with an orange silk lining and a self-made buckle.  The pattern was from Burdastyle, and I altered it to have a zipper instead of buttons.
 


Then, a year ago I made my first Minoru.  The outer is a heavier weight cotton, the zips are metal.

 
I added side-seam pockets on the outside.  I also use the inside pockets, often for my cell phone.

The lining of this coat is quilting cotton, and the sleeves are lined in pink silk.

The hood is extremely useful, especially when we have unpredictable springs showers (which happened just today!).  It zips out quickly, and is large enough to fit all my hair inside.


But after making this first minoru, I started a list of improvements that I knew must happen on my second one....stay tuned to find out more!