For the first time in a while, I actually had a block of several hours in which to sit down and sew. So I did. Here’s progress on my McCall 5525 jacket, done in Amy Butler Full Moon Polka Dot in lime, one of my recent cute prints acquisitions:
I’ve got most of the shell done, which took longer than one would think because I decided to interline all of the pieces with muslin to give it more body. Yuck, like cutting pieces for TWO jackets. (Cutting is my least favorite part of the sewing process.) Now I’ve just got facings and lining left, and then finishing. And I’m considering adding button bands to the sleeves.
Although I do love to make fun coats, I took this one on with some apprehension because it seemed as though it could veer into crafty crazy territory, a.k.a. calico housecoat. But it’s actually looking ok so far- it looks less crazy on me than it does on the hanger. And Dan didn’t burst out laughing when he saw it, which is generally a sign that something can pass for Real Clothes, rather than Sewing Project. Keep your fingers crossed for a final result that I won’t be ashamed to wear out of the house!
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April 3, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Elizabeth
Looks great so far! It’s definitely far out of crafty crazy territory. You can relax.
April 3, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Katie
So far, so good! I think that print is subdued enough to keep it looking like clothes rather than a quilt. Fun clothes – but clothes.
April 3, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Meredith P
So, is that selvedge I see there? Did you cut it cross wise? Inquiring minds want to know, if you did, why? Definitely a sharp looking spring coat!
April 3, 2010 at 5:45 pm
selfishseamstress
Oh, yes, I forgot to mention- I did cut crosswise. The reason for it is that the polka dot pattern on this fabric doesn’t have diagonal symmetry- the dots made “longer” stripes in one direction than the other, sort of like a rectangular plaid. You can see what I mean here:
Anyway, I wanted the “longer” stripes of dots running vertically to elongate the silhouette, so I cut the fabric on the crossgrain :)
April 3, 2010 at 6:04 pm
kathleen
I like it so far – very cute!
April 3, 2010 at 6:43 pm
marLou
The print is not overwhelming so I don’t think there is any danger of a strident coat. Great idea of elongating the look. Looks very sophisticated.
April 4, 2010 at 4:56 am
Auntie Allyn
Wow, that’s a bold choice of fabrics . . . however, I think it works! You might have gone into the “crafty” category if you’d have done contrasting lapels or something like that, but I think you’re going to end up with quite a stylish Springtime coat!
April 4, 2010 at 6:33 am
beangirl
BAHAHAHHAAA– no, just kidding. I agree with you on the possibility of craft madness, but so far so good. I think the key here (and elsewhere) is IMPECABLE STYLING and ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Which, as we all are soooo aware, is just up your perfect little look-at-me-I-can-make-anything-look-perfect alley.
But I’m not bitter. Really.
OK, I’m off to make a sundress out of quilting cotton. Well, it’s for a six-year-old.
Just hush.
April 4, 2010 at 6:48 am
peter
I love it so far and I hope it doesn’t take down your ceiling fixture.
April 4, 2010 at 8:23 am
oonaballoona
well, if you’re ashamed to wear it out of the house (and really, i think you should be), i know a wee pixie in new york who will gladly take that horrible thing off your hands.
April 4, 2010 at 8:52 am
Double straight stitch, my new best friend « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] I thought last night that I was going to have to halt progress on my crafty McCall 5525 jacket because I decided I really wanted to topstitch it (to ward off some of the homemade look) and I […]
April 4, 2010 at 12:27 pm
patchworkpalace
I think your coat looks really cool. In the UK we have an online company called Boden and this could easily be in their catalogue…in fact it’s very tasteful in comparison with some of the fabrics they make coats from.
Go for it, you will stand out in a crowd…for all the right reasons!
April 4, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Victoria Baylor
Your jacket is looking lovely thus far!!! I love your choice of fabric. Can’t wait to see the finished project:)
April 5, 2010 at 6:47 am
The minimalist considers an addition to her toolbox « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] to find a teeny bit of time in the early evening to swing by the store to find buttons for my crafty McCall 5525 coat. The question is, while I’m there should I also buy a sleeve […]
April 5, 2010 at 8:06 am
amber
Yeah, this is coming along really nicely. I’m jealous dude.
April 5, 2010 at 12:53 pm
McCall 5525: What about buttons? « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] the McCall 5525 jacket, now partially lined, partially topstitched, yet to be hemmed, and probably you’re sick of […]
April 6, 2010 at 2:22 am
senaSews
Oh, that coat looks really nice. Love your topstitching with the double straight stitch! What a fun coat!
April 8, 2010 at 8:22 am
Burda 5.2010 preview: A keeper forever! « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] I didn’t actually have time to do much sewing, but I did manage to put the buttons onto my McCall 5525, which I am now calling ‘Key Lime Trench,” so that project is now done, photos […]
April 10, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Key Lime Trench! « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] bands on the sleeves- in the end I think they’re helping to keep the trench from looking too crafty-quilty and giving a more tailored finish. There’s lots of topstitching too, which helps as […]