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Friday, September 25, 2015

Sewing Indie Month/Pattern Hacking the Spearmint Coat

Sewing Indie Month is almost over!!! Where has September gone??? Although September will end, I've decided to keep the pattern hacking posts coming, at least for a while as there are a number of things that I would like to do and I think it's always fun to see how a pattern can be stretched to so many other possibilities.
Now on to the big project for this month. You'll remember that this is how my Spearmint Coat from Lolita Patterns began. Again, so sorry for the wrinkles. You would think that I don't own an iron!
My issue with the collar and neckline is that it's just too low and too open for wearing during the many cold weather months that we have here in Chicago. 
In order to keep the coat and save the day, I used the existing collar pattern, but re-draped the lower portion of the collar. In case you missed it, you can see that post HERE.
I had hoped to have the collar completely finished this week, but I have yet to find buttons. I'm headed out today on a button finding safari, so maybe I'll be in luck. 
I decided to go ahead and baste the collar together so that you could see what the collar will actually look like. It's a little difficult to get a true impression with muslin. I'm very pleased with the collar. In order to keep the collar closed, I will be adding loops where you see the pins and the buttons will run along the edge of the collar and then down the center front of the coat. There are 4 pins in the collar, but I think I will only have 3 loops and corresponding buttons.
 The back of the collar lays beautifully over the back.
 What the collar will look like when left open.
I decided to go all out wild with the lining and use this vintage piece. Hey, we need a little pop of color here in the winter! The days can get awfully gray.
 A peek inside the pockets.
I decided to make one small change to the collar pattern before I cut it out. As you can see, the edge of the collar flattens out a bit, so I decided to add a curve to that edge. A minor change, but one I felt would enhance the way the collar lays across the back and shoulder.
Be sure to head over to the Sew Independent website and check out the posts from Mary of Idle Fancy who is heading up the Everyday Casual category and Laura of Lilacs and Lace who is heading up the Dressed to the Nines category. 
Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda



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16 comments:

  1. Love the change, The color is gorgeous.

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  2. Love the collar, Rhonda. I can't wait to see you in this coat.

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    1. Thanks Wendy. If it's cool enough, I'll wear it to the November HC meeting.

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  3. I love what you did with the collar! Now that I have this pattern :), I'm even more appreciative of what you're accomplishing here. As designed, the coat's opening is a bit deep so it would be too cold for a winter's day. Your collar looks like it was meant to be - - nicely done! Love the lining too. How fun to open up the coat and find such a lovely surprise!

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  4. Hope you found buttons. Your coat looks great.

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    1. I did! It was a search, but I think that what I came up with will work. Fingers crossed!

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  5. I much prefer your collar and the lining is special. This coat will be fab. I don't know whether to wish you cold weather just so that you can wear it......

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  6. A much more practical collar in my opinion - but I concur not everything need be practical. I love the colour and it should give cheer on a bleak day.

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  7. I must admit, I actually prefer your coat collar over the original. The flouncy collar is a nice idea, but on most all the versions I've seen online of this pattern, it just don't *work* in real life. I am really debating (hard) on whether or not I am making this coat, even if I've already bought the fabric for it. I really need a coat, so I have decided to make a muslin, and then take it from there. I love how your coat looks now and the color is so fab! Looking forward to seeing our finished coat :)

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  8. Your new collar is lovely . Such a good match of colour and style . A very 50 s vibe . I think this has been a very fortunate mistake as the second version is way superior to the first in my humble opinion

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  9. The new collar is so much more attractive. Beautiful colour too.

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  10. OMG the color is scrumptous! I can't wait to see when its finished!

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  11. I love your collar--and immediately imagined it on a cozy top for winter.

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