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Thursday, September 3, 2015

The Pattern Hacker


As you know, this is not only National Sewing Month, but it's also Sewing Indie Month as well! Just a quick note about National Sewing Month. I for one am so very happy to have a month designated as a national sewing month. There was a time when I actually thought I would see the world of home sewing come to an end. At one time there were numerous fabric stores in downtown Chicago. Even our beloved Marshall Field's had an entire floor of fabric and yarn. Now we have only one fabric store in downtown Chicago. What was Marshall Field's is now Macy's and there is no fabric by the yard to be found. But I'm happy to say that my very own little neighborhood here in Chicago now has a fun fabric store, The Needle Shop and we also have a new quilt shop with delightful fabrics. So sewing is on the rise!!!!

By now, you may have figured out that I am once again the Pattern Hacker for Sewing Indie Month. I fill kinda like a super hero ;) A super hero with a pair of scissors and a sewing machine!! Actually, I am quite honored to be asked once again to head up this segment for Sewing Indie Month. Like last year, there is a contest and there are some wonderful prizes to be won. You can see all 3 categories and the accompanying prizes HERE.
The winner of the Pattern Hacking category will receive:

Click HERE for contest rules and how to enter.
Now, for a little hacking!
My first project is going to be the Spearmint Coat from Lolita Patterns. 
The neckline is very low with a large ruffled collar. (Please forgive my wrinkles!!) It's a very feminine design. Since I would like to wear this coat in the winter, and it is Chicago, I need a collar that isn't quite so open. So what to do?
A little sneak peek at what the new collar will look like. I'm keeping the beautiful shape of the collar, but forfeiting the ruffles to fill in the neckline. Be sure to pop back by next Thursday to see the finished collar and the how-tos.
Now, if you've made it to this point in the post, I have a surprise for you! I have 2, yes, 2 Spearmint patterns to give away, WOO HOO!!! 
If you would like a chance to win 1 of the patterns, just leave a message on this post. I will announce the winner on Monday, September 7, 2015. 
A little about the coat. I love the fit of this coat! Enough said :)
I think Sewing Indie Month is off to a great start!



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39 comments:

  1. JenniSeptember 3, 2015 at 5:08 PM

    This is a pattern I have always liked but lack the courage to make, maybe a win would inspire me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownSeptember 3, 2015 at 5:10 PM

    I adore the shape and details of this coat! I'd love to win!! :)

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  3. MelwykSeptember 3, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    A great pattern -- and can't wait to see your finished hack. So glad you're running this part of it again this year -- you are so inspiring when it comes to making a pattern your own!

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  4. stacysewsSeptember 3, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    I've always liked this coat, but have the same issue with cold winters - I like the change!

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  5. VeronicaSeptember 3, 2015 at 6:42 PM

    You are so very creative, with all of your projects, always something new and what makes it even better your ideas are so easy a beginner can do them. Love what your doing to the coat, for the area i live in the ruffled version would be great.

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  6. LizaSeptember 3, 2015 at 8:08 PM

    Love this coat!.

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  7. 365 DressesSeptember 3, 2015 at 8:09 PM

    You are a superhero! I love the coat---even with the open neckline. There's something about ruffles on a coat! I think your collar will be spectacular, too. Do you remember an Anna Wintour outfit with an extreme collar, in silver as I remember?

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    Replies
    1. Rhonda BussSeptember 3, 2015 at 8:17 PM

      Hmmm, now that you mention it, it does ring a bell :)

      Delete
  8. SueannsewsSeptember 3, 2015 at 8:32 PM

    I love that pattern and I think your changes are great.

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  9. AndieSeptember 3, 2015 at 9:40 PM

    I like your hack better than the original because I prefer to have my coats close up close to my neck. The rest of the coat is a pretty pattern. I'd probably go a step further and add a hood to the coat (the hood could continue down into the lapels so you could still have some of the open effect when it's warm, but then it should button up tight when it's brisk out). Love the rose color, too.

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  10. NursebennettSeptember 3, 2015 at 10:11 PM

    I love that coat, both the original and your changes. Throw my name in the hat, please? It might take me a year to make it, but I've some wool in stash that would work. :)

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  11. PinhousePlaymateSeptember 3, 2015 at 11:57 PM

    Your collar hack looks great so far :) I think the original collar is lovely, but would cause some issues in the Norwegian winter. Over here it would be best suited as a fall/spring coat. I would love to try this pattern, as I really *should* sew some outerwear!

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  12. BerniceSeptember 4, 2015 at 1:04 AM

    This coat is gorgeous. I'd love to win the pattern. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  13. KadriSeptember 4, 2015 at 1:08 AM

    I love your version of the collar so much better and it seems like a way more reasonable choice to actually protect from the cold. Way to go!

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  14. UnknownSeptember 4, 2015 at 3:13 AM

    Lovely colour for this lovely pattern - what I like is that it comes in my size also ;) I would also have to change the collar - as Norway is quite cold and windy during wintertime :) (And snowy, so I am considering making av wintercoat this feminine, but in a more "hi-tech" material to avoid the soggy wool during wet and heavy snowfalls. )

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  15. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2015 at 5:17 AM

    Put my name.in the hat please! Can't wait to see you hack!

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  16. dorothy scalesSeptember 4, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    omg I love this coat and I have it saved on my computer as well as my pinterest board. I cant wait to see what you come up with. I am so excited and appreciative for the opportunity. Thanks and love your work!

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  17. AlisonSeptember 4, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    I would love a chance to win! It's a beautiful coat and I love your changes as well as the original.

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  18. UnknownSeptember 4, 2015 at 12:11 PM

    What a fun coat. Would be great for San Francisco weather.

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  19. AngieSeptember 4, 2015 at 12:15 PM

    Please add me to the drawing, I would love a chance to win that pattern.

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  20. MiSeptember 4, 2015 at 12:22 PM

    What a great coat! I like the original, and what it looks like you're doing to it.
    I'm loving this sew-indie stuff, I'm finding loads of awesome patterns to buy XD

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  21. Deb RSeptember 4, 2015 at 4:11 PM

    This is such a pretty coat, like you I live in aOk cold climate that makes the exposed neckline a little chilly. Can't wait to see what you do with the collar

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  22. Mother of ReinventionSeptember 4, 2015 at 4:27 PM

    What great coat and that pattern looks lovely. Nice to see an indie with such a decent size range. Looking forwards to seeing what you do with your coat. The colour/fabric are gorgeous. Xx

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  23. Linda ColemanSeptember 4, 2015 at 5:30 PM

    beautiful coat and love the colour you are using

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  24. -ASeptember 4, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    That would make a great travel coat for someone from southern california

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  25. UnknownSeptember 4, 2015 at 6:41 PM

    Such a cute pattern! So excited to be participating in my first Sewing Indie Month and even more excited about participating in the Pattern Hacking category!

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  26. Sew-To-Fit by AD LynnSeptember 4, 2015 at 8:43 PM

    Beautiful coat.

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  27. UnknownSeptember 4, 2015 at 10:50 PM

    I remember thinking the same thing about this pattern - too open for Chicago! It never occurred to me to change the collar. Tammy Randall

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  28. fitchSeptember 5, 2015 at 6:08 AM

    If I win I'll make it red!

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  29. Paula HeadSeptember 5, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    Please enter me!

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  30. Lisa DSeptember 5, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    That is a beautiful coat. It looks like it would be fun to make and wear

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  31. UnknownSeptember 5, 2015 at 4:12 PM

    I would love the challenge of making this coat and using a little creativty to cover up my neck so I would be toasty warm in this lovely coat!

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  32. UnknownSeptember 5, 2015 at 6:47 PM

    This is the cutest coat ever! I am pretty new to the garment sewing arena (I am a quilter) and would love to try this pattern!

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    Replies
    1. Rhonda BussSeptember 6, 2015 at 9:03 AM

      Hi Amy and welcome to the dark side ;) So glad to have you join us in the garment sewing arena.

      Delete
  33. GingerSeptember 6, 2015 at 7:54 AM

    Lovely coat! Can't wait to see your final version.

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  34. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    Gorgeous coat! Can't wait to see how your new edited coat turns out!

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  35. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2015 at 12:05 PM

    Great pattern, and your change looks promising!

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  36. NjeriSeptember 7, 2015 at 2:07 AM

    I hope it's not too late to throw my name in the hat for this pattern. I am looking forward to your tutorial on remaking the collar.

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  37. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2015 at 2:24 AM

    Am I 2 late to the party?

    ReplyDelete

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