Make Nine 2020 Results

Back in May, I posted a new Make 9 because I was not inspired by the original plan made in January. I can happily say that I made lots of progress and completed 6 of 9 items.

 

First, the Burda love is in full effect. I don't know why I continue buying Big 4 patterns when I rarely sew them. I can probably find a similar pattern in a Burda magazine and be more confident in the drafting/fit. I digress.

COMPLETED

•  4-2008-107 (blue jacket):  Wore it once whilst working from home. Love it and will certainly wear it again.
  
• 1-2008-125 (blue shirt):  This was a surprise favorite. I detest stretch cotton poplin, but was very happy with the comfort and fit of this pattern. The style is very distinct, so I don't think I'll make the pattern again. But, maybe I'll give stretch cotton poplin a second...nah. That stuff is evil.
• Blue Calla Amaryllis (tote bag):  After much fussing, swearing, and broken needles, the bag is finished! It was worth it and I'm glad I kept with it.
• 2-2005-129 (striped skirt):  I like the style, but not the fabric. This is likely going in the donation pile.
• 11-2016-102 (plaid skirt):  Still haven't worn it. I keep forgetting about it. 
• 1-2018-121 (polka dot skirt):  Quarantine eating has made this skirt a wee bit tight. Maybe I'll get to wear it next summer.

 ABANDONED

• 5-2005-120 (orange shirt):  I tried to like this, but I just don't. The front and sleeve ruffles are cute, but the wrinkles are not. All this needs is buttonholes and buttons, but that's not going to happen because I'm not motivated to finish it.
• 1-2008-105 (shirt of a 1000 buttons):  Still want! It's in the plan for 2021.
• 1-2008-109 (skirt):  Good skirt; not interested in it right now. Maybe later.
  

I really like this concept and intend to continue with it in 2021. The tentative plan has some interesting and time-consuming Burda magazine patterns. 😬 We'll see how that goes! I'll post that along with my sewing year-in-review next.

L

Jedi Smurf Coat: Sewing the Skirt

I'm back with the next update on sewing the coat. 

In this post, I talked about the trouble I had sewing the pockets onto the front skirt panels. I emailed Burda for help; they replied with pictures of how the pockets are to be sewn. It makes SO MUCH more sense now!

The instructions say to lay hip yoke piece (12) right sides together with lower front. Seam line meets with open side edge.

What the instructions don't say is that this piece should be oriented upside down! I tried every configuration I could think of - EXCEPT this. 😬

 

Such a small - but important - detail! Now I see why it's important to clip at the mark: it helps making turning the hip yoke to the inside easier.

 

Despite now understanding how this is supposed to work, I still did my own thing because my fabric was just too thick to do it this way.

After the pocket flap is attached, I stitched the pocket lining to the front, right sides together. The pocket flap is sandwiched between the two layers.

After rolling and pressing the seam to the inside, I understitched the lining in place.

Next I pinned the hip yoke to the pocket lining, right sides together.

(wrong side of the skirt faces up)

 

I stitched the vertical seam from the waistline to the point where the pocket flap ends.

 

 

Sewing this area took a bit of finesse. I basted by hand and sewed carefully to make the front corner area remained smooth and flat.

 

Once the front hip yoke is sewn (and edges finished) to the pocket lining, I stitched in the ditch through all layers to secure yoke to the front.

 

 

The pockets sag a bit because of the weight of my fabric. Even in the model photos, there appears to be some level of bagginess.

As of today, the lining is completely sewn and attached to the facing. I'm dragging my feet on finishing the coat because the already-hemmed lining is longer than the coat in a few places. Why? I have no idea. I need to trim all of that off and re-hem it. 

 

Finally, I need to attach the sleeve lining to the sleeves, add buttonholes, and attach the buttons.

Preliminary assessment:  ehhhh...it looks great from the front on the dress form. On me though, I don't think it's the right shape/style. The coat is very full and sticks out in unflattering ways.

It's hella warm, though. 😁

L