Monday 1 February 2010

My most ambitious sewing project to date!


Last week whizzed by in a flurry of economics revision and the resultant over-consumption of tea and biscuits. The exam (on Friday) was probably the worst exam I've ever done, but I'll have to wait for the results to see if it was as dire as I thought!

Anyway, you may remember me mentioning that I had an exciting sewing project under way... well, this coat is the result! All week long I was desperate to get back to work on it, and I was finally free to finish it off on Sunday. I am so proud of it!

It's made from the warmest, softest woolen fabric in a sumptuous deep burgundy colour. I think I may have finally finished my hunt for the perfect coat now :). I think that's one of the best things about sewing - you can make exactly what you want - and it costs less. The materials for this coat were under £20!

I made up the pattern based on the one I used for this dress, and had to adapt it a bit to make it suitable for a coat (for example, allowing for overlap on the front panels). The most mind boggling part was how to get the lining in - you have to plan it really far in advance. I'd compare sewing to playing chess... you have to anticipate what might go wrong and work out how to overcome the problem before it arises.

It's my own personal homage to the 1960s :).

Many of you have asked for tutorials for some of my sewing projects - it's very hard for me to explain most of them because I sort of make them up as I go along. BUT! I'm hopefully going to make a simple tutorial or a general hints and tips one soon!

Sadie xxx

P.S. I dyed my hair! It's a teeny bit darker/redder than before :).

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Seriously - that coat is so beautiful, the colour the cut - e v e r y t h i n g. Well done. I wish I had that sort of talent.

I've been looking for a polka dot blouse for ages - where is your one from?

Stephanie said...

Wonderful job on your coat. It looks lovely.

Iris / London Fashion Diary said...

Amazing!!! I am, like I already said, very impressed with your sewing skills :)
And the whole outfit is just perfect!
xx

Chloe said...

That is Beautiful! The style & colour are just perfect! It's exactly the kind of coat I've been hunting around for, i dont think i have the courage to make one :o)

Love the new hair (^_^)

Chloe x

Unknown said...

Wow that is a gorgeous coat! I love the colour and the style. You're so talented! Well done xox

Monika @ RocailleWrites said...

I love it! I would never attempt something so complicated, but the result is just so pretty! Also, this polka dot blouse looks terrific on you :) Great job! xxx

Dodo said...

It suits you so well! It really is perfect!

Corinna said...

wow, i love your coat! did you make the pattern completely on your own?
the most advanced thing i've ever made is a blazer, but from a pattern out of a magazine ;)

La fille d'Avril said...

congrats! really the coat looks amazing, in fact if i saw this coat at a shop i think i may have buy it

seriously you have done a great job! the design is super i really love it!
plus the colour is really cute

xx

Helen said...

wow! i wish i could sew and make things up as i go along - i really need to start learning.

Boo said...

Beautiful coat and beautiful colour, congratulations! Am looking forward to this possible tutorial too! x

Cherry said...

Wow that is amazing

Secondhand Stella said...

Wow... you are so talented!

sophiemakesthings said...

this coat = amazinggg! :) How did you cover the buttons in the matching fabric? its lovely, you should be so proud! i love the colour too, looks very warm :) x

Anonymous said...

wow, amazing. I wish I could do that!

Steph & The Spaniels said...

Love this :) ur soooo pretty & have amazing style!
great post as always x

Jen said...

You're so good at this sewing lark! Your latest creation looks like a true vintage masterpiece.

Hatty-hero said...

WoW you are truly gifted at this its amazing Xx

Unknown said...

What a beautiful coat! I especially love your buttons, they're perfect!

http://wrappedupwithstring.blogspot.com/

elin-alice said...

Oh, I've always dreamed of sewing my own coat (I've been looking for years but it seems impossible to find the perfect one in the stores!) and if only I was able to do it, I would sew something very similar to this one. It's lovely!

Chloë, Wardrobe Quarry said...

I'm in love with your blue tights

Bethany said...

Your style is so inspiring! I'm having such fun looking over your projects. Very lovely blog.
Bethany

Carolyn said...

Beautifully tailored coat, and I love the way you've paired it with navy blue; fab sense of colour!!

Cindi said...

Super fantastic job. Those colors look marvelous together.

B a la Moda said...

Hey girl, you have some talent. I can clearly see it. The coat looks more than professional. Love the color. You know how to do patterns and it is a very difficult thing to do. I remember my pattern classes... Challenging but hard. Yo look pretty on burgundy.


xoxo
B* a la Moda

Parapluie said...

Wow, I'm stunned! That coat looks so wonderful!

le blog de leen said...

loooove your coat, the color, the shape, it's all so pretty
and i love that shirt, and the way you wear it with the high skirt, lovely :)

leen

patty said...

I can't believe you made that coat yourself! I can't sew to save my life. Anyway, I'm a big fan of your blog. Your personal style is so much like mine. :)

Leanne Flavell said...

Wow you look absolutely amazing! So pretty and that coat is brilliant, well done, you have the knack for creating beauties! xo

Hasna A. Adiwinarso said...

oh my god 0_0 you're the prettiest girl i've ever seen. geesh, ur body is perfect :( ESPECIALLY UR HAIR! :) oh my oh my 0_0

Liset said...

That coat is amazing! You did an amazing job, i wish i could make such nice things!

m said...

SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

I like so much the way you dress...

Marie said...

Gorgeous color (the jacket and the hair!)
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
OWOH necklace giveaway

Kristin said...

This coat is complete perfection! I absolutely LOVE it....wonderful job!

Label of Addiction said...

wow... this coat is amazing. Good job - I like it very much and your blog, too :)

FASHIONPICS said...

SOOOO CUTË



XX
/// FASHIONPICS

M said...

Oh you are such a talented darling! I am so jealous this coat is adorable. I love the Peter Pan collar, and you're right it reminds me of the 60's also.
I've made some attempts at sewing and I'm useless- perhaps with practise I might be this good one day.
Oh and your blog is beautiful x

M said...

Oh and your hair and outfit are gorgeous too x

Maria Confer said...

You are amazing Sadie. I love this coat and you did such a beautiful job.

Adore your new hair color, too.

Lulu Letty

Elegant Insignificance said...

The coat is amazing! you are seriously talented. I love the colour and the shape, I would totally buy it! x

The Fierce Berry said...

wonderful post! well, actually I like all ur post hahah :) nice top btw, and the coat, it's amazingly beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

An amazing job, the maroon colour is fantastic. Where do you source your material from? <3

Unknown said...

Agghhhhhh yo're so talented! I wish I could sew! Your coat is fantastic and I love your blouse too!

Anonymous said...

Exactly, sewing is great: you can make every detail the way you like it, AND it is less expensive! You've done a great job on the coat, lovely outfit too!

vanessa porter said...

I dont think you could find a more perfect coat for yourself if you tried!! Wow wow wow, that's the only other thing I can think of to say!

fritha louise said...

You did such a good job, it looks lovely! I really like the colour.

I've tagged you for a "gorgeous blogger award" over on my blog: http://fishtankfashion.blogspot.com/2010/02/gorgeous-blogger-award.html

Faux Naif said...

ohmygosh, sadie, that is MARVELLOUS! you really ought to be proud of yourself; your coat is beautiful.

Amelia said...

That coat is the most delicious color! I love the design. I can hardly believe you made it--it looks sooo good.

Lise said...

I love your style!

Lovely blog (; x

Alice. said...

I love the new hair, and the coat. I love your blog :)

Tabitha said...

I'm loving your outfit posts...so cute!

Wanderlust said...

You're so very talented!

Taylor Kitto / The Little Deer said...

you're hair looks so adorable!!
and i really adore that coat. so talented!!

Dina said...

ive given you an award on my page :)

Youna said...

magnifique !!!!

Mystery Flight Vintage said...

Im so impressed. What a fabulous coat, you are very talented. I wish I could sew anywhere near as good as you.

Anonymous said...

This look is great! It's very parisian chic, and double denim is really in right now!

Bella said...

Wow, it looks amazing :)
I'm so bad at sewing, I'm gonna completly fail my Textiles GCSE, cos I cant even go button holes :/
xxx

Amy // The Girl In The Bowler Hat said...

You are so gifted on a sewing machine! I can't believe you made this, it looks professional!
:)

xxxx