my wardrobe: toggle coat.

My new coat is finished! Now I'll be warm and toasty!

Happy Thanksgiving week to you! My guests are coming over tonight and guess what? I'm making chicken curry. Yeah, so much for wanting to be all vegetarian. But I thought I would pick something easy, that I've made before.

Keep warm. Be thankful. Drive safe. xo

{a few more coat pictures here.}

my wardrobe: winter coat.

I decided a couple months ago that I *had* to make myself a new winter coat. The one I'd been wearing I sewed on Thanksgiving about, oh... three years ago? And while I can still technically wear it, I really want a new one. So I bought some really nice twill weave wool (feels slightly felted, which makes for lovely sewing) in brown and cream. Then I bought some huge (okay, only 2") toggle buttons (they are wooden, but look a bit like bone). Next I had to figure out what pattern to use and what lining to use, because I always seem to think of the lining last (I hate lining). I ended up using some cotton/linen check fabric I already had, because I was determined not to buy anything else. Then I found this really great 1960's coat pattern (I ended up buying two, one in a larger size and then when I got lazy and didn't want to grade the pattern, another in my size). One big thing I forgot about when making this coat was that the pattern called for shoulder pads. I didn't read the directions before making the coat (or really during, either) so when it came to attaching the sleeves, I couldn't figure out why the shoulders were so huge! Then it dawned on me. So annoying! I ended up having to take in the shoulder seams another 5/8" and then move the sleeves in by almost another inch. It took some fiddling, but I finally got it. I should have checked that before cutting out the coat, but I didn't want to make a mock-up and I didn't feel like reading the directions completely through before starting. What can I say? I get lazy sometimes when sewing for myself. :) But in the end, it all worked out. I'm still waiting on the rope I ordered for the button loops (woven cotton cord is harder to find than I thought). But I am really happy with how it turned out, especially seeing as I didn't exactly spend the time to make a mock-up and all.

Pictures to come once it is completed! And a very happy weekend to you all!

{above images: 1. dear creatures coat., 2. simplicity 4110, 3. vera coat., 4. carven tweed toggle coat.}

holidays.

Lots to do these days. I've been getting my tired body up at 5:30am the last few days so I can get a few more things crossed off my lists. I'm not only taking off for Christmas, but my younger brother is getting married January 2nd (and um... still haven't made my dress for that yet...) and then after that I am going to house-sit for some friends. That will actually be fun, as I plan to bring drafting supplies to make some patterns. Been wanting to try my hand at this for years. We'll see if anything actually gets accomplished. I am imagining lots of laziness accompanied with loads of tea and coffee and hands filled with knitting needles. The house is a lovely Edwardian structure and they have a kitty! Also I won't have a car, so basically will be stranded there for a week, which is fine with me. It will be a nice "break," even if I will sort of be working while I'm there.

it's gettin' colder

{mismatched, but cozy}

Today I wore a summery skirt, just because I felt like it. Pair it with some thick leggings and voila! Summer skirt turned winter skirt. I want to get wool tights, though. That would be so nice.



Look! The kitties want a peek!



Got this magazine a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to look at it a lot. There are two skirts in there that I want to make up for the winter. I am thinking wool and corduroy. Yesterday I picked up a corduroy skirt and a bias plaid Christmasy looking skirt at Salvation Army. All together it was something under $5. That felt good. They need washed, though. And I might change the lining in the cord skirt. I love winter clothes and bundling up. I'm still knitting up a storm, but have decided I'm a very loose knitter. I think I need to use needles two sizes smaller than the patterns recommend. Luckily, the garment I am knitting right now will look nice in the looser knit, so it should be fine.

Stay warm!