Tuesday, September 18, 2012

I made a coat

After a year of procrastinating, I made Grace a coat.  


For a year, I've had a Heidi and Finn pattern for a swing coat that came with the following disclaimer:  all my patterns are great for those just starting to sew and all you need is a sewing machine - no fancy tools needed!

After a year of being intimidated, despite the disclaimer, I printed out the pattern.

Then, after month of looking at this printed pattern, taunting me, I finally bought some herringbone fabric I liked and I cut out the pattern pieces.

 
I let Grace pick out the lining for the inside of her coat, pink, of course.  She used the excess to decorate herself and the dog.  

I obviously overestimated how much lining I needed.
 

Things were going surprisingly well, until it came time to top stitch.

This is where my amateur sewing knowledge becomes really obvious.  I wanted the top of the coat to have black thread and the inside of the coat to have pink thread.

In a panic, I sent Jill from Sew a Fine Seam an email, explaining my problem.  She wrote back minutes later, hopefully not laughing too hard, telling me it was as easy as having the thread in my bobbin pink and the thread on the top of the machine black. 


Thank goodness for wonderful bloggers like Jill because I was able to finish my coat without throwing my sewing machine out the window :)


Believe it or not, despite having made a few pillows and on a fluke a fitted domed circus tent topper, this was my first experience making clothes. 


Are there flaws...yes.


But I don't think Grace noticed or cared.


As I proudly finished my coat, I pinned the following quote:

Don't be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try.


I am so glad I finally decided to try.

56 comments:

  1. So cute! I was given a sewing machine for Christmas and it's STILL in the box! Seeing this adorable coat makes me want to break it out and get to sewing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is seriously adorable! I love the fabric that you chose and Grace looks so cute in it too. Love it! Way to go...I think this means you are not amateur anymore..even though you weren't really to begin with. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my gosh Amy! That is the cutest coat ever! Grace looks so pleased and what a cute model she makes! Obviously your sewing machine is not possessed! Thanks for the tip on the dual colored stitching...I sure didn't know that!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You have been one very busy girl! That coat is so adorable and so stylish and Grace obviously loves it, too! What wonderful skills and attitude you are modeling for her! Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You go girl! I'm impressed - looks fabulous

    ReplyDelete
  6. That looks so great! I can't see any flaws at all, it looks so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! Wow-wow-wow! That is gorgeous. Nice job, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very cute and beautiful. If you need sewing questions you can also get a hold of me (I am a 4H sewing leader, but I would rather sew 'flat' items (quilts, etc) anyday over clothes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow Amy! I'm so glad you took a chance because your fabric and pattern choices made for a beautiful coat! Your model is as cute as your creation :) And for a beginner to be able to create a coat...well that's all the inspiration I need!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Amy, you did such an amazing job! I can't believe that was your first time making clothes... it totally looks like something you bought from a cute boutique shop. I'm sure it helped having such an adorable little model too. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love it. I want one. No. Seriously.

    Your daughter is so cute too. She is rockin' that coat.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Absolutely amazing! But I will stick with curtains and pillows ;)

    ReplyDelete
  13. You did an outstanding job!! Way to go!! Now I want one for myself;) Love the fabric you used, and Gracey's choice of pink for the lining is just perfect! I love how the pink peeks out making a subtle appearance:D Funny thing is that I have this pattern saved in my favorites over at Etsy for some time now but since it only goes up 6T I never did get it... I did email Heidi & Finn if they plan on making it in bigger sizes.. but I got the disappointing answer of no. I did forget about it until now...BUT now that I have little miss Sofia.. I finally have an excuse! Thanks for reminding me of it! I totally have to make it now... I just hope that mine is comes out just as cute as yours!! If you have any pointers... send them my way!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh.. and I would never have guessed you have never sewn clothes before! You are just a natural at anything you make, aren't you? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, I am so impressed! A darling swing coat. She looks amazing. What talent.....

    ReplyDelete
  16. Insane. INSANE! Make ME a grownup coat, pretty please! Just like that one.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Seriously, your first attempt at sewing was a coat? A lined coat? With sleeves? Wow! You are brave and wonderful and I salute you!
    Grace looks adorable and that pink lining with the herringbone is perfect. Very well done. And thank you for the top stitching hint

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a lovely coat and pattern, lucky little miss

    ReplyDelete
  19. It looks AMAZING! Congrats on facing your fears, and making an awesome coat! Now you won't be afraid to try anything! ;) I would love it if you would link up to my Tip Toe Thru Tuesday party going one right now. It is a three person co-host party, so that's triple the views. I hope to see you there.
    http://christyscuties.blogspot.com/2012/09/tip-toe-thru-tuesday-link-party.html

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love this coat! It is so adorable! Great job! And she is so cute in it!

    Holly

    ReplyDelete
  21. Are you serious!?!? Is there nothing you can't do well? I love the design and fabric choices. What a treasure this will be for her lifetime! Just think, your granddaughter could one day wear that - and she will smile knowing her grandma made it! OK, maybe I crossed a line calling you a grandma already - sorry - I digress - but I was just trying to illustrate the special gift this coat will be to your daughter and her daughter and maybe her daughters daughter - there I go again, talking about your great grandchild. ;)

    seriously though, this is so lovely!

    great job Amy!

    hugs, janiene

    ReplyDelete
  22. Awesome! Your topstitching is so much nicer than my first sewing project (since Home Ec in Jr. High). It was a pair of overalls for Juju's first Halloween and I think I ripped out the topstitching three times. I hadn't quite figured out the rhythm of guiding the fabric and pushing the foot control, which led to lots of birds nests and cursing :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. oooohhh - love the lining - love it - and the little person inside the lining inside the coat... ha ha . Go Grace! & You rock Mom. x

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is adorable!! And I love how much your model loved her new coat!!!! Great job!! And I love your quote, I have to remind myself all the time that the failing is in NOT trying, not in trying and not suceeding (the first time!!) Thanks for the reminder. You are amazing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I want one! Love the lining Grace picked out....great contrast with the herringbone.

    ReplyDelete
  26. You did good, PDC-pretty darn cute. I have an offer.... I'll bring my puggle so adorable daughter can decorate two, and I'll arrive with my ZERO sewing skills and boss you around making me stuff based on the lone fact I knew about the bobbin thing. You are the only person known to man who has ever made me feel smart when it comes to sewing. Thank you.

    ~Bliss~

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow! That was brave of you. A lined coat sounds pretty intimidating. It turned out fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  28. WTG!!! Congratulations! It looks wonderful!! :)

    StacySewsandSchools.Wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's beautiful Amy!! And I did was not laughing - I was glad I could help you out!

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is the cutest!!!! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  31. So cute, I just adore the pink lining! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!

    ReplyDelete
  32. This coat is so cute! I'm like you and feel intimidated to do something as big as this, but it looks awesome! It gives me some hope for future sewing projects. ;-) Love the colors too!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I think you did a great job...love the fabrics together :)
    Shannon

    ReplyDelete
  34. You did a beautiful job. She is so cute.
    Debi @ Adorned From Above

    ReplyDelete
  35. You did a Great job.. and your model is gorgeous of course!
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

    ReplyDelete
  36. It's adorable! I can't believe it's your first attempt at clothes--so well done. That pink lining is sweet. Bravo! Standing O to you!

    Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina

    ReplyDelete
  37. This is absolutely gorgeous! I would feel the exact same intimidation at the idea of sewing a coat, but this turned out so perfect that I may have to try it . . . in my size : )

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congrats on making your first coat, it looks lovely and your little girl certainly seems to be enjoying it :]

    www.jbseatsandtreats.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. It's a beautiful coat. You should be very proud of it.

    Sarabeth
    Life of an Agnostic Sunday School Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  40. This is so cute! Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Love this...I applaud your ability to overcome your fear of sewing something that detailed. Thank you for introducing us to such a cute etsy shop too:D

    ReplyDelete
  42. Love love love that coat! Looks great, and what an adorable little model too! thanks for linking at tip toe thru tuesday!
    xoxo
    Kim
    ps. I'll be featuring this at the party tomorrow! Please stop by and grab a button... oh and I'm following you too!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love your coat so much I picked it as one of my features for this past week.

    Holly

    ReplyDelete
  44. This was also one of my most clicked on my link party! I’m featuring this tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  45. That is really cute, can't believe it is a beginner pattern (not calling you a liar, just REALLY impressed!) I'm going to check out their patterns. Not much of a sewer but the bobbin thing had me laughing....mainly because it's something I would do.

    ReplyDelete
  46. It turned out beautifully! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/how-to-make-natural-tinted-lip-balm-and.html
    from Wednesday until Sunday.
    Hope to see you there.
    Debi Bolocofsky
    Adorned From Above
    www.adornedfromabove.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. It is beautiful!! Congrats on finishing it!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. It's beautiful, very pretty. I just adore the collar.
    Prue x

    ReplyDelete
  50. Oh Amy...this really was SO easy. All the credit really should be given to the pattern maker.

    Yeah, the bobbin thing did throw me for a loop :).

    ReplyDelete
  51. What a great blog it is!!! You are in truth on your way to colossal success. Well done. bubblegum casting reviews

    ReplyDelete

I am head over heels you took the time to leave me a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...