Help Me Decide!

Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your kind wishes for my dog Gracie. We are a week out of the second surgery, and oh my, what a difference! She has started wanting to scratch her ear, so I think that's a good sign, a sign of healing. She was so funny last night, she was lying on the sofa beside me, and wanted so badly to scratch her ear. Her back paw would go up, but stop short, as if she was saying, "oh, but I really want to scratch." She has actually been quite good about keeping her foot out of her ear. The vet said that the stitches need to stay in for 14 days, so I think that if she has had this much improvement in a week, the next week should be all the better. And I will have a huge sigh of relief :)

Oh, and my toe is healing, not that it's such a big deal. I walked a little too much yesterday and paid the price last night. In time, this too shall pass :)

A few weeks ago I shared this coat that I have had forever. It's a faux fur coat that I really love. The fur is quite nice. While I won't wear it any longer as is, the fur can be saved, so I've decided to remake it. The coat is now apart, and I need to decide what to do with it.   

I have this trim which a friend gave me and I have been aching to use it. It may be a little difficult to see, but it has a lovely gold metallic thread that runs through it, and ruby beads in the center of the flowers. I have quite a bit, so there are lots of possibilities. 

I found this picture, and fell in love. I want a longer coat, so I thought I could do something to create a full skirt. I should actually have enough of the faux fur to create a great skirt.     

 Maybe something like this.

I really like this coat as well. I thought that I could use the fur and trim around the bottom of the coat and maybe mix it with a wool coating.

And then, OH MY GOODNESS, I love this coat!!! If I did this, I would forget the trim all together and mix the fur with a cotton velvet. 

All are quite dressy, so it's not a choice between something casual and something dressy. I would love your thoughts. 

Whatever I decide to do, it should be really pretty. 

Thanks for your thoughts!

Rhonda

My Stephen Burrow's Inspired Coat

Thank you to everyone who sent notes yesterday. I'm so very happy that I once again received a great report. It seems that the moles have grown a little in size(width), but not in depth, and depth is what can mean cancer. So, I can still see, and you will continue to receive my crazy blog posts ;)

Our fashion show chair for the upcoming 2018 Haute Couture Fashion Show has been very inspired by the work of American designer, Stephen Burrows. She would really love to have an entire segment of the show devoted to pieces that have been inspired by his work. 

Yesterday, I shared with you the sewing challenge entitled, "Designin' December." Linda of Nice Dress, Thanks I Made It, loves to sew and loves to try and inspire others to sew, so she came up with the idea to encourage others to copy, rather than purchase a garment that they would like to have in their wardrobe. If you would like to participate, she even has a button that you can attach to your blog.
   

When I did a little research on Stephen Burrows, I found the coat below and loved it! So I told our fashion show chair that I would recreate it with the hope of getting a few others to make up a Stephen Burrows inspired design for the fashion show. So since I am coping a designer original, I thought I may as well participate in the Design' December challenge. 

My fabric just arrived yesterday. My coat will not be an exact match, but still inspired by the original. Sadly, I just couldn't get the light right, as the colors are much more vibrant than they appear, especially the yellow. It's much closer to the yellow in the original coat.

Now to make up a muslin. The coat is a very basic design, it's just a matter of the placement of the colors. I think it will be a lot of fun to play around with the colors.

The fabric is a washable merino wool ponte from Fabrications in Michigan. I was a little concerned that all of the colors that they had on their website might not be available, but when I called to order, I was told that if they don't have it in stock, it's not on the website. Nice!

So, a fun new project. 
You won't miss me walking down the street!!! 

Monday Morning Inspiration

It's Monday, and it's also the first day of the month. May 1st is my personal kickoff to spring, so this is a very happy day for me. We had SO much rain over the weekend. My garden is quite happy, weeds and flowers alike ;) The blooms have finished on my cherry tree, but the apple tree is bursting with blooms. The squirrels typically eat all of my apples, but who knows, maybe there will be enough this year for me too. I'm not counting on it. Those little buggers snatch the apples off the tree, take a bite or two and then leave the rest. I don't mind sharing, but at least eat what you take!!! 

Last Saturday I added a new interview to the Sewbussted Material Witness lineup. What a fun interview it was to do. In case you missed it, I've added it below,



I had not met Pamela Vanderlinde prior to our interview, but what a great time we had together. So for a little Monday Morning Inspiration, I thought I would showcase some of her custom work. 

The 2 pieces below are by far my favorite. 

If you watched, or listened to the interview, you heard her say that her passion is coats and jackets. Look closely and you'll see the asymmetrical collar on this jacket. 

 The velvet roses on this coat are just exquisite.

Pamela enjoys taking a basic design and doing something a little unexpected.

This coat is a piece that she did for a class that she taught on pattern insertion. Really amazing!

Her new book on designing coats and jackets just came out in January, so it's quite new. A fabulous book, and one that I think everyone who enjoys making coats and or jackets should have in their library. You can find it HERE on Amazon. 

I thought I would share this picture from her blog, a picture taken in Manchu Picchu. In the interview we talk about her philanthropic work with the Andean women. On the Amawaki website, you can find info on how you can actually go and learn the weaving technique. While you are there, you will stay with a family and experience their life first hand. I SO want to do this!  

Now here's an opportunity!!!

If by chance you are going to be in Chicago on Saturday June 3, 2017, Pamela will be speaking to the Haute Couture Club of Chicago at our annual June Banquet. You can find all of the information in our newsletter HERE. 

I hope that the month of May will bring loads of happiness and opportunity into your life! 
Rhonda

A Little This And That On Thursday/Chicago Marathon and The Pepernoot Coat

What in the world does the Chicago Marathon have to do with the Waffle Pattern Pepernoot Coat??? Absolutely nothing :)

Last fall, I decided that I would like to do the Chicago Marathon this year, and do it not only for myself, but for a charity that I am very passionate about. Fortunately, the Chicago Marathon is not an invitation only event like the Boston Marathon, but you do have to apply and this year the guidelines were a little more complicated. Since I have never done the marathon, and I did not want to do the marathon on behalf of one of their designated charities, I had to apply and then be put into a lottery. Well, if you've ever purchased a lottery ticket, you know how often you actually win...not that often. But I kept my fingers crossed, and this morning, this was in my inbox...

Rhonda Buss:

Congratulations, you have received an entry into the 2016 Chicago Marathon.

I am still beaming! I will do a post in the near future and tell you a little more about my decision and the charity. 

Now for the Pepernoot Coat. 

When I did my post for the sew along, I made a comment about how the jacket could be made without the hood and turned into a spring jacket. I was asked if I would explain more in depth as to how to delete the hood. I decided that it would be fun to have this coat for the spring in denim, so rather than just explain, I am making another coat minus the hood.

I love to look for fabric in antique shops. The bold red, white and blue print came from one of my fabric antique malls in Racine, Wisconsin. Sometimes I'm lucky, sometimes not, but I always enjoy having a look around. So my new spring coat will be made in denim and lined in the red, white and blue print. Rather fun I think :) 

There is really only 1 alteration to the pattern that will need to be made and that is the front band. In the picture of the coat below, you can see that the front band extends into the hood.

Below, I am pointing at the notch that corresponds with the neckline seam.

Simply fold the pattern piece back at the notch.

Now cut out the front band, BUT BE SURE TO ADD SEAM ALLOWANCE TO THE FOLDED EDGE. If you don't, the band will not be long enough.

My lining and coat are all cut and ready to go. I just need to decide if I want red zippers or denim zippers. Such decisions ;)

Although this is not a part of the official sew along, I wanted to do this just to cover the extra possibility of the pattern. Once mine is made, you can then decide whether this may be an option for you as well. 
Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda

Fashion Show Friday/Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat and Sewn Square One Upline Jacket

It has been quite some time since I've modeled a garment for you, so I thought that I would do a bit of catch up today. There are so many that I haven't modeled, so just a few today, and more later.  

First up, the coat that I just finished for the Sew News Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat Sew Along. I absolutely adore this coat. First of all, I love the pattern, but I'm also so very pleased with how the coat turned out.

A view from the back.

The hood. When I initially made the coat, I didn't think I would use the hood. The hood has been great on cold days as well as rainy days.  

And finally, the lining.
If you would like to take a look at the sew along posts, you can find them HERE. 

I am about to wear out this coat!! It's much lighter than the cobalt blue flower coat, so great for a cool, but not cold day. It just seems to slip over just about every garment I have.   

 A view of the back.

And my fun lining!
Be sure to pop over to the Waffle Pattern website and check out Yuki's other designs. I could not be more pleased with this coat, so I feel quite safe to recommend ALL of her patterns :) 

A parting shot of the coat with the bag I made last December for a Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post. 

The Sewn Square One Upline Jacket that I did for the Sew News Sew Along. You can find the sew along posts HERE. When it comes to the 3 coats that I'm sharing with you today, I feel like a kid in a candy store when I look in my closet. I LOVE them all! I'm off to the airport in just a few minutes. We have a very bright and sunny day, but it's a bit cool, so this jacket will be perfect.

I love that the collar is quite versatile. I can leave it unzipped, zip it to the top, or zip it to the top and then roll it down. Even when it's zipped up, a scarf fits nicely inside the collar. A little difficult to see in the picture, but the style lines of the coat are also so very pretty.

The back of the jacket.

And finally, a parting shot of the lining. This was a vintage piece that's been in my collection for quite some time. So glad I had it :) 
You can check out all of the Sewn Square One patterns HERE. By the way, this jacket comes in 3 lengths. The jacket I'm wearing is the longest length.

So that's it for my little Friday Fashion show. I feel so fortunate to have these wonderful garments. Loved making them and loved the patterns :)

Happy Friday to you all!

Rhonda

A Few Notes On Wednesday/The Final Pepernoot Coat Sew Along Post

At about 3 o'clock this morning, both of my dogs were snuggled in close to me when a HUGE KA-BOOM!!! shook the house. It was just a big clap of thunder, but I laughed to myself as both dogs immediately left the bed and headed underneath. I always say that if we ever have a war, they'll be standing behind me saying, "shoot her first!"

Thank you so much to all who left a note on yesterday's blog post. Thank you for the lovely notes on my coat, and a very special thanks for your wishes of quick recovery. I am very positive that all will be well :) The only problem is that wearing a bra is not the best for a few days. I told a friend of mine last night that I felt as though I lost my protection against the world. I did go to my art class yesterday, but I wore a knit camisole, a thick t-shirt and a turtleneck top! Funny the things we'll do :)

For those of you who are following the Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat Sew Along that I've been doing for Sew News, the final post is up and you can find it HERE. I tried to take you step by step through the process of inserting the zipper. Success with your zipper will happen by paying close attention to the notches on the front band pattern piece. There is a notch that aligns with the neckline, and a notch that aligns with the waistline seam. I'm pointing to both of the notches in the picture below. Not only do you need to mark the notches on the front band, the notches should also be marked on each side of your zipper.

   

I also talk about the length of the zipper. I used a 30" zipper and you can see below that there is plenty of room for a longer than specified zipper.

Note too that I used a zipper that will unzip from the bottom as well as the top. This is a great feature that makes sitting in the coat a little more comfortable. Not that the coat is uncomfortable, it just gives the wearer the ability to have a little more room when sitting.

If you have any questions on finishing your coat, or inserting the zipper, please be sure to ask.

Since we added an extra post to the Pepernoot sew along, we're a bit delayed in starting the Magic Bias Dress sew along. As soon as that's up, I'll let you know.

Have a wonderful day. Enjoy your bras!!!
Rhonda

Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat Sneak Peek

It's a beautiful, but rather cold morning in my part of the world. It was 70 degrees on Sunday afternoon, and this morning...27, and that's not Celsius!!! Oh well, it is Chicago :) For those of you who may be coming to the Pattern Review Weekend in May, know to be prepared for just about anything!
I missed connecting with all of you yesterday. I've had a place on my back that I've been dealing with, a little concerning as it is right at my spine. The doctor had given me some cream to shrink the spot. It was smaller, but he decided that he didn't like how it looked, so out came the knife. It was rather painful, so I rested and took it easy yesterday afternoon. I'm much better this morning and I'll shortly be off to my art class. Always puts a smile on my face :)

Just wanted to give you a heads up on the final Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat sew along post. The Sew News blog is showing that the post is up, but when you click on the post, nothing is there. I'm sure it will be fixed shortly. As soon as the post is up, I'll be back with links. In the meantime, I thought I would give you a sneak peek at my finished coat. I still need to press it(please forgive me), but all in all, I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

I decided to use the black velvet for the center panel of the hood. There was no way that I would be able to match the pattern, so I thought that the velvet was a better alternative. In the above picture, you can see that I also lined the hood in the velvet. 

A friend of mine gave me a bag full of buttons that her mother saved from what must have been an incredible wardrobe. In one box, I found the black velvet buttons that I used on the sleeves. Just the perfect button.

I didn't get the coat finished in time for Easter, but the Haute Couture Club of Chicago is hosting its annual fashion show this Sunday, so the perfect place to wear the coat. Sadly, I won't be to be in the show this year. 

Have a wonderful day!

Rhonda

I Love My Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat!

We're in the 3rd week of the Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat Sew Along and I am in love with my coat. Talk about flower power!!!

The fabric I'm using for the lining is from Tessuti Fabrics in Australia. when I purchased the fabric, I had a skirt in mind. Maybe serendipity, maybe just dumb luck, but when I began working on the coat, I immediately realized that the fabric was perfect for a lining. The only problem is that I only purchased a meter of fabric, so not enough to line the entire coat. But, I had a beautiful piece of black silk that blended perfectly with the fabric, so rather than ditch the idea, the sleeves are lined in black. 

The lining prior to the sleeves being added.

If you would like to check out the 3rd week of the sew along, you can find it HERE on the Sew News blog. 

I can't wait to finish my coat. I'm hoping to wear it on Easter Sunday. In our final post, we'll work on the pockets, attach the 

hood, insert the center front zipper and hem the skirt and sleeves.

If by chance you are working on a Pepernoot Coat, I hope you are loving yours as much as I am loving mine!

Yuki, the designer of Waffle Patterns has 3 new patterns available,

1. The Tosti Utility Jacket

2. The Dropje Hooded Vest

3. The Yuzu Raglan Coat

I think that one of my next projects will be the vest. Love the dart detail around the neckline.

Happy Sewing.

Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration

I hope your Monday is off to a great start!
Well, I have to say that you all surprised me. Last week's inspiration post was all about skirts, and I gave you the chance to vote on the skirt that you would most like to see drafted out. I initially had only 4 up for the vote, but it quickly became obvious that I needed to include number 5, the red skirt. Not only did I need to include it, it was the hands down winner! I think it will be a fun skirt to draft out and make. 

But so many of you really liked the other 4 skirts, so I have decided to draft them out for you as well. 

The skirt pictured below has already been drafted out by Studio Farro and you can find it HERE.

So starting next Monday, in loo of our normal Monday Morning Inspiration post, I will begin drafting out the skirts, starting with the red skirt. but,who knows, I may still try and sneak in a little inspiration  too:)

So often with the Monday Morning Inspiration posts, the pictures are great, but the question is....how do I make what I see?

I posted this coat a while back and it has been repinned so many times. Great coat!

Here's a pattern that is similar in feel. It's McCall's 7025. The inspiration coat has a notched collar and the skirt is tiered, but the McCall's pattern makes for a great jumping off pattern. Combine it with Vogue 8346 and you'll have the exact same coat.

This sleek trench would be easy to copy using....

 Simplicity 2311. Just eliminate the buttons and add a zipper.

How about making a much prettier version of the Prada coat pictured in the middle below

 with Vogue 9040

Sometimes, it takes a little more drafting knowledge to get the design that you would like, and sometimes, it just takes a little bit of looking at the patterns we have available. 

Be sure to stop by tomorrow, I had a bit of a hectic weekend and I didn't get my sleeve draft posted on Saturday, but I will tomorrow. 

Have a wonderful week!!! 

Rhonda