Carly's little red cashmere coat is now complete. I had a dickens of a time photographing it. I don't know if there was too much contrast or what but these are the best pics I could get out of very many. It does look much cuter IRL.
The pattern is from Gail Doane's "Sew Cute Couture". I did the following changes to Gail's wonderful design.
* I made the sleeves 2 inches longer to accommodate Carly's measurements. Gail's garment is really a swing jacket. I lengthened it 2 1/2 inches to get the length I wanted. The pattern is lined edge to edge so there was not much fudge room here. Therefore,
* I decided to make a free floating lining and do a faced hem to maximize the length I had available. I eked out every square inch of this piece of cashmere. On the lining you can see how it is just gathered and pressed flat in the pleat area. I thought if I did a pleated lining it would just bulk it up too much. this worked fine.
* I did bound buttonholes.
* I did a different configuration of the felted hearts on the coat. Just a personal design decision.
* I decided to do the big "hamburger" bullions on the collar only. All of the other hearts have more traditionally sized bullion roses.
* My fabric was 100% cashmere from Fabric Fix in Manchester, NH, purchased about two years ago. The lining was 100% cotton homespun.
* Buttons were covered with a lined piece of the homespun.
* Interfacing was a weft insertion. If I did this again I would use a much firmer interfacing for the collar front facing area. The soft cashmere really needed some stiffness up in the button area. Live and learn.
* This is Carly's winter dress coat and I know her mom will make good use of it. Carly and brother twinlet Zak attend a lot of birthday parties, going from the house to the van and back to the house. Carly will learn at a young age how to enter a room in a killer outfit. Doesn't every young lady need to know this? This won't be used for any outside play. Heaven forbid! So I did not do a flannel interlining. I had enough bulk to deal with as it was.
* Zakie is not forgotten. Grandma Bunbun will make him a felted Pendleton wool beret.
* Now Carly has her toile dress with the matching plaid piping, her cashmere cloche with the cockade, and her little cashmere swing jacket. Does it get any better than that?
And check out this picture DH took this AM thru the window on the door and the wreath, too cool.
You are amazing, this is the cutest coat I think I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, that's one darling little coat! The construction looks impeccable.
ReplyDeleteOMG that could not be cuter if it tried! I just know Carly will love it. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful as always
ReplyDeleteAn heirloom! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat is just the most gorgeous coat I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteOh Bunny, I love every single detail. The coat is definitely the cutest I have ever seen! I love every single felted heart. And your bullions are just perfect.
ReplyDeleteLucky Carly, I bet she'll remember this beautiful ensemble when she is a lady.
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented.
Just too, too adorable! All that handwork is so beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteThat little girl has a coat like no other. That's a wonderful plus to sewing--having original and unique creations. I hope you get a photo with her in her coat and hat. Beautiful.
ReplyDeletePhenomenal! All the embellishments and fabrics work wonderfully together - a result of careful planning. Thanks for the sleeve tip, too. I'll have to try that on the plaid jacket. I've bagged many sleeves in a slightly different way, but what you've posted seems to be a bit easier.
ReplyDeleteBunny
ReplyDeletethis just speaks to my heart. it reminds me of when my mother made me a little coat. But mine was nothing like this!!! I love how you put so much attention to every detail in everything you do!!!!
Carly will indeed turns heads in this precious coat ensemble!!!!
sara
Absolutely precious, Bunny. Would love to see a picture of Carly wearing the entire ensemble. As always, your workmanship is totally professional.
ReplyDeleteCissie
una maravilla, la afortunada se habrá enamorado del abriguito rojo
ReplyDeleteSo cute, Bunny! Little girls should always wear adorable coats like this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful coat! A labor of love.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful coat, I have made a few of Gail's designs and I just love them. Your adaptations are wonderful. Lucky Carly !!
ReplyDeleteNow, I know I have to make the coats for my grands that I have been trying to find time to make. That is the cutest little red coat. I love the plaid lining and those hearts are adorable.
ReplyDeleteSuch a precious coat! The construction is impeccable. Bravo! I love your bunny tag. Such a cute idea instead of the standard "Made with love by..."
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I have no granddaughters, but I am still planning to buy the Cute Couture book....just in case one is in my future. Seriously, what does mama do with the beautiful clothing you make for the grandkids when it's outgrown? Give to charity? Pass on to a friend? It's such a lot of love, work and hours put into each one and they outgrow them so quickly!
ReplyDeleteBunny, the coat is absolutely adorbable, and Carly is going to be too cute in it. I love every little detail.
ReplyDeleteThe coat is so cuuuuute!!! So totally darling. Do you get to see Carly in it?...or do you get pictures? We'd love to see them!
ReplyDeleteBunny, I'm so far behind on reading blogs and sewing for many reasons -- work being done on the house -- a family cookbook I'm doing for the holidays -- but I have to add my admiration to all the others. This truly is a work of art. You inspire me! What a wonderful legacy of beautiful handwork you are sharing with your family.
ReplyDeleteThe construction looks impeccable.
ReplyDeleteWork from home India