Wednesday, May 28, 2008

vintage coat






I finally got this coat finished last night- it took a lot longer than I planned. The outer blue fabric is a piece I found at the Salvos last winter, held together with some rusty pins, looking and smelling like it had seen better days. Its amazing how a little napisan can bring old fabric back to life!
I opened it out and it looked like just the right amount for a little coat, took it home and measured it...and would you believe it- it was exactly the amount I needed right down to the last centimeter! 115cmX140cm exactly! This was the second time this has happened to me. A month earlier I was at the Salvos hunting for fabric to make myself a coat, I found a piece I really liked (and the choice was very limited), took it home to measure and it was the exact measurement as well! Divine intervention? Absolutely. God really does know the desires of our heart, as small and insignificant as they may be. I had never made a coat before and didn't want to experiment on expensive suiting fabric. I think I paid about $12 for the two pieces- bargain!
The pattern is not an original vintage, its Ottobre "girls wool coat" 5/2006. And a quick word about matching up those checks- remind me never to do it again! I am sure it doubled the time spent meticulously pinning, cutting and matching checks.
Grace chose pink for the lining, which surprisingly turned out a pretty match. Somewhere I went wrong and the lining was too short, so I added a line of the pocket fabric to the hem, still too short, so I added a little lace and it was perfect. Very feminine. I also stitched the height on a little tag for future reference.
I will enter this in the Crafty Mamas May competition and see how it goes.

14 comments:

Jenny said...

Just beautiful

Peta said...

The coat is just gorgeous, what a fantastic job you've done!

Kylie said...

Naomi - that is fantastic. You have matched the checks very well. You should be proud! Love the lace detail too...
Kylie

Jetta's Nest said...

I'm going to say it again...my jaw literally dropped when I saw this coat. I'm totally in love with it!

naomi said...

these comments are so nice- thankyou!!

Anonymous said...

Naomi, it is just beautiful, congratulations.

Marie said...

Naomi - love love love your coat. Just wanted to say that the lining piece is short (by a lot) - I made this coat up last year (from fabric found at an op-shop, snap).

Anonymous said...

It is simply beautiful...

thank you for sharing.

Maria in PA

Anonymous said...

i showed this to the girls at work and they absolutly loved it!! and so do i. it's simply adorable naom

Anonymous said...

Im in love! Think you could make it in my size?

Gill - That British Woman said...

that coat is stunning, you have a true talent..........I'll also have one as well!!!

Anonymous said...

love this coat naomi - well done!
have you made one for you?
love lib

naomi said...

Lib, I started a coat for me last winter and I am about half way with it. I am notorious for starting projects and finishing them years later! I really MUST get it out:)

Amelia said...

fabulous coat, completely professional. is it the autumn walk in paris coat? the japanese style one looks v cute too.