A new blog deserves a new coat.

I decided to start this blog and see if I like posting this winter.  I'm an avid lover of cloth and try to make up a lot of my finds.  Perhaps you will find some inspiration, as I have from blogs I follow.

And, since I plan to enter my new coat in Marcy Tilton's contest, I'll post first about that adventure.

I've been sewing since a teen, and am on the far side of middle age, so I don't take classes lightly.  But, when I saw Craftsy's Kenneth King "Coat with a Fly Front" class, I went for the whole adventure of it.  ( I had the honor of touring the delightful Prof. King's studio and dining next to him when he was living in San Francisco and I attended Sandra Betzina's Sewing school).

This class starts you with a Vogue pattern (included in the class!) and has you altering it for 2-3 lessons.  Then, you put together the coat in a wonderfully, logical fashion.  I love the turn of the collar, for instance.  And, the inseam pockets.  I've made 20 coats at least and the parts that are hard to make look professional are the pockets and the buttonholes.  Also, this type of classic collar is hard to make look right, but this class has many tips for all these potential problem areas.

I added a full lining, as I like the way that feels and looks.  Catch Marcy's post on linings.  I think this polyester Duchess satan fills the bill.  Like minds, hum?

The finished coat fits wonderfully, and is fun to wear.

So, the blog isn't nifty yet, but I'll improve that soon!  Thanks for reading.

Sally

Ps. My cashmere Sally handle came from an idea launched at me when I retired-sew the good stuff first!