Cherry Cola Coat: aka My Minoru

So, I made this jacket AGES ago.  And I kept promising to post about it.  Whoops.  Well, better late than never.

Things I love:

I love how easy this coat was to sew up! It really went rather quickly, and the instructions were so easy to follow. Tasia did it again!

I love the fabric that I used :) I was a little worried about the fabric at first.  I have always loved the print.  I bought the fabric online, and I know what cotton canvas feels like, but I was still a little nervous when it came in the mail I kept thinking "oh man, is this going to make a good jacket?  Is the fabric going to be right?"  But after it all came together, it was so great!  I love how vibrant the colors are, and the pink pops of cherries make me smile!

I changed a few things.  I added pockets, although I should have made them on my muslin as well, because I didn't get the height of the pockets just right.  I used the pocket pattern from the Peony and just stuck it right in the side seams.

I also couldn't quite find the right zipper length that I wanted, so to compensate, I didn't put the zipper all the way to the top of the collar.  Instead, I added these FABULOUS buttons that came from my grandma's button stash that I inherited!

Aren't they freakin' amazing?!?!

Things I would change next time:

I wouldn't line the whole thing with shiny, slippery fabric.  I would line only the sleeves with slippery fabric.  I don't really love opening up the zipper and seeing the high gloss fabric peeping out at me.  I think I would prefer a matte fabric.

I would sew in the waist elastic during the muslin phase.  I didn't do this, I just drew on the line, and it looked great, and in the final project it is so close, but I would have dropped the elastic down about 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

I would decrease the size of the hood.  It is too tall on me!  Haha, when I actually pull the hood out to wear, it is so tall that the front flops down over my eyes.  I would also definitely not recommend using a slipper fabric to line the hood.  Bad plan.  It slips on my hair, so the hood has real trouble staying up.  So either my hood is falling off my head or over my eyes.  Ugh.

But, all those changes aside, I love this jacket!  I wear it all the time!  It is so cheery, and I get compliments on it all the time :)

Below are a few photos from our Engagement Session.  Almost my entire outfit can be credited to Sewaholic patterns *grins*  Minoru Jacket and Renfrew top.  Two of my favorites combined!  All photos were taken by Brandon Witzel.  He took both our engagement and wedding photos!  He did such an amazing job :)  If you live in the Portland, Oregon or LA, California area, look him up!

Confessions of a newly-married, newly-moved, new-careered, sewaholic

Alright lovelies.

Time for some bold-faced honesty...

Have you heard that little truth about getting married, wanting to snuggle down in your new nest with your new love-bird, and eat yummy things; spending all your time oogling googly eyes at each other... and getting chubby.  Yeah.  It's wonderful.  And it sucks.  So, I haven't gotten fat, but I've definitely padded some areas a little more than I would like and it kills my drive to sew.  Why would I want to spend so much time and energy, lovingly fitting, professionally finishing, and meticulously sewing a form fitting dress for a body that I'm not proud of.  Super lame.

So, I've been avoiding sewing.  And I've missed it so much!!  A few things have fired my obsession for sewing again.  One, I discovered Bloglovin' in lieu of Google Reader shutting down.  This lovely blog following format allowed me to totally indulge forced me to catch up on blogs that I hadn't read in a while.  This made me so uber jealous that I wasn't sewing beautiful things for myself that I immediately went to my pattern stash and fabric stash and said, "to hell with this feeling chubby business!"  And made a skirt.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new skirt.  I have a second version on my cutting table at the moment. 

I was wearing the skirt, and my sister-in-law took some photos, and I thought to myself... not too bad :)  But I would love to look better.  I suppose that sewing awesome clothes for myself is a decent incentive for getting in shape.  So again, I'm on the war path.  I'm warring against my adipose cells.  Healthy food, gym time, lots of water.  We'll see how it goes.  Good thoughts, prayers, and encouraging words accepted.

As for this blog.  I love blogging.  It makes me feel as though I can connect with sewing friends in a way that I'm not able to do in my face-to-face, everyday life.  I also a little bit of an 'excitable follower'.  I suppose what I mean by this is, I read this fantastic blogs like Sewaholic, Lladybird, and Oonaballoona, and I want to blog as well and as prolifically as they do!  I get swept up in the awesomeness of posting, and comments, and wanting to be a well-known name in the sew blogging community.  But I can't do that.  A) I'm not that great of a writer.  B) I don't really have a whole lot of time to do it.  C) I have an awesome husband to spend time with...

So.... I am promising myself a few things.  I promise to try and post on here enough to keep in touch with people, and share my makes.  I also promise to spend more time actually enjoying sewing things, exercising, and spending my time with my hubs and my friends than I do trying to turn this little area in to a well-traveled, interweb, metropolis.

So there it is.

I'll try and be back soon :)  I'll show you what I'm trying to make.  I've missed you all.

xoxo
Montana

Serging the Day Away!

Hello friends!

This week, I have felt like I've done hours of prep work and no sewing!  Does it ever feel that way to you?  The frustrating part is that I have so much more prep work to do!  I still have to cut my pattern for the truffle dress for Sew Colette, and I'm on a Pendrell blouse kick right now, and I'm trying to make a couple more, but add some fun design details so they aren't all the same!  Gah!  So much.  

But speaking of prep work... I recently started doing something that the pro's have probably been doing for a long time and I'm just late to the party.  I used to pre-wash my fabric straight from the store, just throw it in with the correct wash cycle and off we go!  It was very frustrating though, to pull out my pre-washed fabric and have so many strings and tangles from the cut edge.  Only very recently did I think... "huh!  why don't i serge (or zig-zag) the edge and then wash it."  Genius.  I felt pretty proud of myself.  I'm sure this is in many sewing books and it seems so common sense after doing it, but I thought I would share.  Just maybe I'm not the only newbie out there who hasn't quite thought of this simple idea yet!

Dorota doing what she does best

Hope your week is going well!  Are you stuck doing prep work right now?  Or are you sewing away, happily creating your next masterpiece?  

xo

One Week, One Pattern!

Guess what?!  Another fun group to join in on!  This genius idea was put into motion by Tilly and you can find all the details here!  I am trying to decide if I can actually make this date or not, and also trying to decide on which pattern I will use.

Have you joined this sew-venture?  What pattern are you going to use? I want to hear about it?  Are you worried that you won't be able to make enough in time?  Or do you already have several made in your closet?  Hmm...

12 in 2012 Project!

Hello friends!

Have you heard about the challenge that Suzie, from Su Sews So So is doing?  She is calling it the 12 in 2012 challenge.  She has picked out 12 projects, 12 skills, and 12 techniques that she wants to accomplish in 2012.  I really think this is a great idea and want to join!  I wasn't really sure what techniques and skills I wanted to do so I decided to just make a list of 12 projects and will talk about new techniques and skills that I may have learned or used when I blog about each completed project.  So without further beating-around-the-bushage...

For my first project, I decided I would give myself a little leg up...  I've already made my Peony dress, but it was a goal that was totally on my list before Suzie came up with this fantastic idea.  So, why not cheat a lot a little and put a completed garment on the list.  My peony!  Blogged about here and here.
And since I said I would talk about techniques and skills used when I blog about the piece (which I didn't do) I'll talk about it now!  This is the very first dress that I have ever put pockets into!  It was a great learning experience that I have since used on other patterns.  I also used Colette's technique for inserting invisible zippers.  This was a dream!!  I will never put one in another way.  I also moved darts for the first time!  The waist darts were too narrow and I moved them outwards about 1/2 inch each.  Very easy to do, but still a good skill to learn.  Along the same lines, I also shortened the waist to meet where my actual natural waist was.

What is my second goal you ask?  Why, my Minoru jacket of course!  Which is coming along quite nicely, if I do say so myself!  I'm itching to show it to you!  Can I be super honest with you all and tell you a secret?  I may have already finished my jacket... shhh!!!  *ahem* I mean...  I'm strictly following the sew-a-long, and will unveil my finished Minoru jacket along with everyone else.  But just in case you missed the preview of my fabric or *gasp* forgot, here it is again.

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Third.... bomb, bomb, bum..... Bombshell!  I bought this Craftsy course quite a while ago, and I watched the entire video and thought to myself, "wow, I can actually do that!"  then promptly didn't.  You know how doubt creeps in... that voice in my head can be a real little rascal sometimes!  The rational side of myself says, "oh I'm waiting until I have a little more experience under my belt before I try something that involved."  So this darn dress is for sure on my list of 12 in 2012.  I need to just do it!

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I have been dying to make a circle skirt!  I'm pretty sure my love of circle skirts started with Sunni's skirt.  And then I found the wonderful blog Casey's Elegant Musings, and discovered that she had a fantastic Circle Skirt Sew Along.  I was reminded again how much I wanted to sew a circle skirt when I saw Lauren's fan-frickin-tastic version here!  So, needless to say, if you didn't already have it monotonously repeated into your head... I want to sew a circle skirt.  

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Gertie's Gathered Skirt Tutorial!  Gah, this skirt makes me go weak at the knees and want to put on heels and dance around like a lil' trollop (in a good way, mom.)  I just mean, looking at the skirt makes me feel sassy, and spunky, and utterly feminine at the same time!  Yes please!

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Numero Seis...  A tailored coat.  Through A Good Wardrobe's wonderful list of indie pattern designers, I discovered Jamie Christina Design and this adorable coat pattern!  The Abby Coat is so fun and flirty, with an adorable peter pan collar detail.  I would probably add a few details to really make it my own, but I want to go through Gertie's Lady Grey tutorials and really learn how to tailor a coat, and apply the principals toward the Abby Coat.  I am torn though, because the original Lady Grey pattern is so darling!  Oh the choices!

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Next project on my list to tackle is a good pair of jeans.  I have actually been quite terrified of this idea until I stumbled upon the Jean-ius course that I blogged about here.  I'm so thrilled to be taking a class taught by Kenneth D. King, and he makes it all seem so easy and manageable.  I actually have two different pairs of jeans that I'm considering copying.  One pair is a boyfriend fit jean that is oh-so-comfortable, and the other is a skinny jean that has a slightly more relaxed fit than most. 

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The Chantilly dress pattern by Colette Patterns is a dress that I have lusted over, ever since I saw Tasia's version.  I have some fabric stashed away exactly for this project, but I've been putting it off because the fabric is slippery and I'm going to have to not only line, but probably underline most of the dress.  

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What is one wardrobe staple that every girl should have?  A basic pencil skirt, yes?  I think so.  Probably one in black, and probably one in just about any other color imaginable ~grins~  I do love me some color.  My roommate has a knack of calling them "Montana colors", and then I tease her about her increasingly gray wardrobe!  I don't know exactly which pattern yet, but I think the Jenny, by Burda would be a good place to start.

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Next on the list, the Pendrell blouse by Sewaholic Patterns.  If I'm being truly honest with you about it, I've made one before and was really unsatisfied with it.  But it wasn't anyone's fault but my own.  I used fabric that was too thick and had too heavy a drape to it.  I just didn't fit right.  I also needed to chose a smaller size, because the pattern has so much ease and I like my tops to be slightly more fitted.  

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So, I am an American, but will everyone forgive me and/or accept me if I say that our friends in the UK have a much better idea with the word knickers!  Underwear is just so blah... but there you have it.  I want to make my own knickers!  It seems like such a fun idea and a fairly easy pattern.  There would also be so many fun colorful fabrics and bits of lace that I could add.  Suzie, who actually came up with the whole 12 in 2012 idea just posted a lovely tutorial for making lace knickers!  There are also several lovely tutorials to be found on Pintrest.

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Last, but not least;  Mary from Idle Fancy has totally inspired me to make a dress.  She continues to make Simplicity 2215, which is a button down dress that is so lovely!  I'm dying to give it a go, I just have to find the right fabric... and belt, and cardigan, and shoes, and.... I feel like I'm finding excuses to go spend money.

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So there you have it!  My twelve projects I hope to accomplish this year.  I don't expect to do them in order, but I will try to do them all!  Geez, it seems a little daunting, doesn't it!  How about you?  Have you joined the challenge, or do you have a personal goal list?  Do we have any goals in common?  I'd love to hear from you!

P.S.  Maybe you have already noticed, but I've added two pages to my blog.  One is a little more about me, if you're interested, and the second is a page with audiobooks that I enjoy, since I'm usually listening to one while sewing.

Sew Colette

So friends, I have been debating back and forth.  Should I or shouldn't I?  I have joined the minoru sew-a-long, (even though I haven't started yet... I told you I wouldn't keep up due to work), and I'm in the middle of my peony (which I hope to finish soon).  But I already have the fabric for the meringue skirt all ready and it would be so fun!

So here goes.  Again, I can pretty much promise you that I won't be able to keep up with everyone, but hey, what's a little more motivation?!

In case somehow you have missed hearing about this awesome sew-a-long, it is devoted to sewing one of the patterns from the colette sewing handbook  each month.  It is hosted by Miss Crayola Creepy and by Rhinestones & Telephones!  They are starting this month with the meringue skirt!

How about you?  Anyone else joining?  I joined the flickr group and I'm super excited to see what people come up with!

The Turquoise Truffle Sorbetto

I'm sure that you are sitting in your chair (or laying on my bed as I do often while checking my blogs) and asking...

"Montana, don't you sew anything other than sorbetto blouses?!"  Truth time.  Yes.  Yes, I do.  BUT, when I'm short on time and need a sewing fix, there is nothing quite as satisfying, especially since I love love love them!  They are so fun to wear.

As you guessed it, here is another one!

I was planning on taking pictures along the way to show you the construction of the tucks.  But I got too excited and forgot.  Oops.  You'll just have to imagine if you will.  I originally wanted to try pin-tucks, but had an idea in my mind that I didn't quite have the fabric for.  So, I settled for just regular old tucks with a much smaller version of the original box pleat in the center.

I wasn't able to tuck in the perfect amount of fabric in order to use up all the fabric alotted for the box pleat, but that just meant that I had my roommate help me with the side seams, which ended up with an awesome fit that I love :)

Another fun adjustment is the back neck.  I have noticed that the back of my sorbetto's tend to gape slightly when my shoulders are not slouched.  Now, this may be a whole different fitting issue in itself like the slope of my shoulders, or an incorrect back width or between the armsyces (armsycies? armscye?  armsceese?!  Really, what is the plural for that???) or something.  I will really have to consult my Fit for Real People, one of these days.  But anyhow.  To quick fix the problem on this top, I just made a quick inverted pleat in the center!  It actually turned out way more adorable than I planned.  And, of course, this gave me just the excuse that I needed to put a fabulous, sparkly, vintage button on the back :)

And I shall name thee, the Turquoise Truffle Sorbetto.  And you shall be mine!

Minoru Sew-A-Long

Hello friends!

I'm in!!

More on that later!  I know I won't be totally on time but,  I have picked my fabric (it should be in the mail) and I can't wait to show you, but for now, you'll have to just wait, jittery with the anticipation!

~wink~

Peony Fitting Issues

First Goal of the New Year:  The Colette Peony!

I saw this pattern when Colette first released it with it's fall patterns, and to be honest, I wasn't super impressed...  and then I saw it made up in some patterned fabrics and fell in LOVE!  I had bought some Amy Butler fabric on a whim, and just happened to have enough, because when I started thinking about making the Peony, I realized I already had the perfect fabric in my stash!  But I am determined to make this dress well, and be happy with the fit when I'm done! 

I've discovered that I am fairly picky with bodices.  And, I really don't think I've made one yet that I like.  It is time for this to change.  So, I'm working on the fit, and I don't know how I feel about it.

I made a muslin of the bodice ( I haven't yet attached the sleeves, I wanted to get a fit for the bust part first.)  I was horrified at first because the neck was sooo high!  I felt like I was choking, but when I turned it down such as it would be with the facing attached, it felt better.  I also felt like there was way too much fabric across the back shoulders, but when I put in the zipper, it felt a little better.

I talked my love into taking a few pictures for me so that I could analyze the fit better and hopefully get some suggestions from you! 

One of the biggest things that I have found is that I feel like the front, underneath the bust is way off.  After looking closely, I think the verticle darts need to be moved outward about an inch, they are not pointing towards the bust point, they could also be shortened about a 1/2 in. I think.  I'm not sure if this will help with the bagginess or not though...  Will it be different with a skirts weight to pull down on the front?  Is there a way to shape the darts differently so that I don't have quite so much fabric there?

Based on feel, I thought the back was going to need some major adjustments, but based on the picutres, I was actually quite pleased.  Maybe a slight swayback adjustment is in order, but I am not sure.  Confession:  I have never actually done a swayback adjustment, and only fairly recently (within the last 3 months or so) figured out what the heck a swayback adjustment meant!  (If you are new like me, here is a post by Gertie that gives you an idea of what a swayback adjustment is...) But after checking with my Fit for Real People, I realize it would be a fairly easy adjustment, and I'm hoping it should take the few little wrinkles out in the middle there.


What do you think?!  I am relying on you my friends!  I don't have anyone else to help me, so please by all means, shout out any ideas!  I appreciate any feedback! 

I'm super excited to just get to making this dress, but I also don't want to waste my time to end up with a mediocre product, so I'm really trying to pace myself.

Side note:  This is also the first time that I have traced a pattern!  I used freezer paper, as suggested in the Colette Sewing Handbook!  It worked wonderfully!

Looking forward to your ideas and comments!  Thanks so much for stopping by!