Wednesday 13 November 2013

Raincoat progress

Thank you all for your helpful comments and advice on my last raincoat post. There were some fab suggestions, but in the end it was a toss up between vintage McCall's 8006 and Simplicity 5928. The Simplicity pattern won, for the simple reason that Amy of Sylkotwist had a copy of the pattern and very generously let me borrow it - thank you! I did love McCall's 8006 but just couldn't track it down. Simplicity 5928 is a princess seamed pattern from the Look Slimmer range (hoorah!) and has some lovely details such as top stitching and concealed side pockets.


Amy's copy of the pattern is a size 14.5, with a 37 bust, I would normally go for a vintage 36 bust, but as the coat has very fitted princess seams, I'm quite glad of the additional room.  So far, I've pinned the pattern pieces together and fitted them to Angie. The fit seems pretty good and I'm tempted to just steam ahead without a muslin. The only anomaly I found with the pattern is the length. Simplicity half size patterns are designed for petite women, or to be more accurate, specially sized for Misses and Women about 5'2" to 5'3". This seemed like a dream come true for me as I'm exactly that height and almost always have to shorten patterns to fit. It wasn't quite that simple though. The envelope illustration clearly shows the length of the coat skimming the knee, yet on Angie, (who's more or less my height), it's virtually ankle length.  I tried to make allowances for the fact that the pattern is from 1973, and as we know, the entire population walked round in towering platforms like this.


But the girls on the envelope are all wearing sensible court shoes, which sort of blows my Elton John massive boot theory out of the water. It's very odd, and even taking the generous 2" inch hem into account, I'll still have to shorten the pieces by about 4 inches. Harrumph.

For fabric, I'm using a waterproof coated microfibre fabric in navy from here. This is the same type of fabric that Winnie used for her Robson Trench and I'll be utilising all the sewing tips she included on her post. They were primarily to use weights to cut the fabric out (which I do anyway), use hairgrips for seams and DON'T USE PINS! This is all new to me so I'm looking forward to the challenge.

The pattern comes with lining pieces so I think I'll add a lining too. I have two in my stash that would be a good match for navy. The same teal polka dot lining I used for my Abbey Coat...


...or this lovely flash of gorgeousness. Any preferences?


I'm hoping to get started on this pretty soon as the rain continues to lash down most days. I'll keep you posted.... x



19 comments:

  1. How bizarre ref the length! Looks a great pattern otherwise though. My vote would be for the floral lining - the colours match a lot of other items you've sewn and it is just so damned gorgeous! The little blue flowers would tie it in nicely with the outer fabric too. The polka dot is lovely, just a little predictable perhaps (but then, predictable can be nice too - is this going to be a formal (work) jacket or a less formal one? Rachel :-)
    p.s. love the new blog layout!

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  2. The floral lining definitely gets my vote. That would be gorgeous!

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  3. Use the flash floral lining! It's red and flowery and perfect! :) That's weird about the length - ugh.

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  4. Ooooh! I am super excited to hear you are sewing this pattern. I have the exact same one, from my mother's pattern stash. I just haven't quite gotten around to sewing it yet. I Can't wait to see the finished coat.

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  5. Definitely the vivid red floral, it'd look amazing when the wind whips up the hem....a real hint of fun!

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  6. I'd use the red lining under the navy coat for a splash of colour and interest. You're coat will be fab.

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  7. Oooh, how exciting Jane! I can't wait to see how brilliantly this turns out...and please use the lush floral lining!xx

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  8. I'm weighing in on the side of the red floral for the lining, to provide a fabulous contrast to your dark outer fabric. Shame the length was so off, but I guess you've proved it's always useful to check before you cut. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

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  9. I'm with everybody else, the red lining !

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  10. Oooh, please go with the red floral lining...it's so cheerful, especially on dark, dreary days - a splash of colour can really lift your mood and make you feel better :)

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  11. Right, it's unanimous, the red floral lining it is then! Thank you all! x

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  12. Yep, I was going to say red too. Look forward to seeing how it goes

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  13. Yeah! Glad it's going well so far Jane, looking forward to seeing your progress, exciting! And red will be smashing!

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  14. Excitamundo!! It's going to be fab Jane!! But shame you won't get to wear your boots...

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  15. Looking forward to seeing pictures of the coat in progress! And the red gets my vote, too :)

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  16. Red flowers,red flowers! That is all.

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  17. Oh I love that coat and truly wish it were a current pattern. That is the style of coat I love. As for lining, since you intend it to be a raincoat, I would go with the red floral inside, for the pop of color that a rainy day needs. A red umbrella will be the perfect accompanyment - or add a hood, lined in the red. I have a raincoat pattern from the Green Pepper (Silver Lake maybe?) which is the closest I have ever come to finding a pattern that matches my favorite but now discontinued London Fog raincoat, complete with zipout liner and hood. I absolutely love your Abbey Coat. Is that a current pattern? Great blog. You are giving me a lot of inspiration. I have not sewn for myself for years as it seems I am constantly fighting a weight battle. I hate altering, so I do not want to use my great stash when I am a size I do not wish to stay. Our 50th high school reunion is coming up in April and I already have a dress pattern selected and will soon get the fabric, probably linen, and with either make a collarless jacket, or wear a great red pique one I got at the thrift shop for $6.00 (before 25% off coupon). Thanks for the inspiration. I truly appreciate it.

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  18. Sorry for suggesting a hood. That's what I get for writing before Ihave read the whole post.

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  19. Red floral print would look great, also looks like it would be a great dressmaking fabric

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