Passport Stamps on my Minoru
We already know life has kicked me more than once lately . . .But, in short, I made my Minoru before I left for Ecuador. And, to my chagrin, I'm finally getting it on here. Good grief! But, before the gushing of my favorite coat--that I've gotten compliments from my Momma and across the globe about, the first two days of Me Made need a super quick round up.
Day One
Some quasi shameful RTW running capris, a Deer and Doe (actually my muslin Plantain), a do rag with scraps from a bag I made and wore out, and you can't see them but knickers. I graded at home, all day, so this was spiffy. I did blather, for a moment, the last entry here about knickers.
Day Two
My one hour convert (a pair of jeans into a skirt) and a renfrew. The Renfrew is a perfect wear to lounge, and here I just got back from a long overdue massage and mani/pedi. Hence, she's a little stretched.
And now . . . onto my coat.
I had planned this coat for this Spring, thought about it for a year (!), and I meticulously sought my fabric. Yes, no joke . . . a year of plotting for an all purpose jacket. You'll see why.
The photo on the way to the airport, in new mittens and a hat. Wear old ones with a new jacket? As if. Mittens, color work on size 2 needles. My second pair, and they are going to last me for life. I also knitted those wicked ass tight so they are sturdy as all get out.
I made the strap for my bag, too. Though, the hardware busted mid week . . . the metal on the latch cracked. So . . . now I need to find another set so I can fix my strap.
Hat, my pattern from the Amy Butler yarn my sister sent me for Christmas.
At the Telefocon in Quito. Well, the parking lot before the treacherous climb.
Waiting in line to come down.
And since you really want to see my coat . . .
Voila!
(PS, I was pulling out clothes to pack, hence the piles to the side.)
I didn't have to, but I added the splash of twill tape to the top. I think it really adds a nice touch, and I used it for my loop. Also, FYI, it allows you to not give a rats ass about the neatness of stitching the collar seams together through all the layers. Just make sure the outside is pretty because you're covering the ugly side with pretty twill. Yes, I totally admitted that.
Me and this coat in Amsterdam. I got that scarf in Ecuador, at a shop with a student from El Barrio (Queens). I've worn it once--or more--a week since. Here my hair is mostly wet, as I gave up on taming it in Amsterdam. So much humidity. Though, I rarely tame, tame it. So, whateves.
Me and this coat leaving Ecuador. I was ill, and bloated, and all around ill. That's me and our guide from Ecuador. He took us across the interior and worked alongside us all week. At the airport, heading home. That's my largely unblogged Coco under there. My hair hasn't been that big since circa 1992.
All zipped up.
Look at those seams . . . I went slow and meticulous to match them, top-stitch them pretty, and . . . well make a year long thought process pan out.
I used regular thread to top stitch, as I was looking for a subdued design.
The guts, if you must. And . . . on Instagram you saw it: the Paris map fabric. How fab is that? It's basic quilting cotton weight, and the shell is organic cotton twill (from Mood).
I moved my label this time, so I wouldn't interfere with my pretty twill tape.
My elastic gather . . . honestly, after cutting the two pieces for my wrists I had enough to cinch my waist here. Mine is a little more cinched than the pattern calls for, but I am pleased with it.
Pretty, huh?
The hood . . . Honestly, I leave the hood out. I like the look, and besides the one time I had it in I needed the hood to shield me from rain.
See how nice she looks all zipped up? Nice, sporty, a little understated.
So: the changes:
A) I lined the hood
B) lined both sides of the inside collar. Note, on next version I'll put the zipper in like a welt pocket so that the edges are in-cased. No one can see it but me . . .
C) used some of the twill tape to bind the seam inside the collar (emeshing the collar and coat seam). No one can see it but me, but . . .
D) Took the sleeves to a quarter inch seam allowance.
E) Twill tape to the collar and lining seam
F) Refused to cut notches. Used my pinking shears. Everyone should do that. Saves time, sanity, and . . . works like a champ.
G) shorted the elastic piece on the waist (about three inches). It provides the allusion of being smaller. Or so I think.
H) pockets. I removed one chest pocket on the inside. Yet, I added pockets on the outside. How? I used the pattern piece to the Colette Juniper pants (the piece for the lining), and I placed the pocket on the bottom flush with the bottom of my coat (1.5 inches below the waist). Hence, when I sewed the bottom seam my pocket was secured there too. No pocket crumple.
Would I make this again? Certainly. I really want a hot denim version. But, while I know I want a dark wash I can't decide if I'll to top stitching in purple, white, or standard goldenrod. Jo did one, and I love hers. She lined it with some Amy Butler fabric . . . on a denim one I would line mine with another quilting cotton. Perhaps an Alexander Henry skull design. Cream background, with funky skulls and flowers. So really, I think the decision is purple or goldenrod top thread? Seriously, I want to make this one in September for fall. Granted I would border on Canadian Tux territory, but with a flashy scarf, that I nearly always don, I could totally pull it off. Not to mention, Jo's is pretty snazzy.
I had three yards of lining, and was left with the tiniest scraps. I'm not even sure they are big enough to use to make pin cushion pieces. This is all good . . . but how do you get so much out of three yards? The pockets and hood lining are cut on the cross grain.
On that lovely note, two days down for Me Made . . . my coat is up. Now, onto grading and this:
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