Monday, September 12, 2011

Next Up in VoNBBS: The Raglan Sleeve Coat!

If you started reading my blog back in the day (the 2009 era), you know that the whole purpose of it, originally, was to complete all 14 projects from a 1952 book called Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing. You also know that I shamefully ditched that project (after completely 8 garments) when I got too busy with my own book. Well, it's time to get back in the saddle!


Project #9 will be the Raglan-Sleeve Coat, a roomy swing coat. I started by making a muslin. I thought I would need extra room since my pattern is intended for a 32" to 34" bust. But no! It fits perfectly. It's not really much to see yet, is it?


I've also been gathering my supplies. I'm making it in a pretty blue wool/angora coating from Paron's. It will have a caramel-colored charmeuse lining with big white polka dots. And the icing on the cake? A removable faux fur collar. I can't wait to cozy up in it this fall!

The bound buttonholes are made, and now I'm diving into the rest of the construction. Of course, I will keep you updated as I go along. More to come!

P.S. Also on the interwebs today: check out my interview with Alison Reid, author of Stitch Magic--the book that inspired my STC Craft Stitch-Along!

56 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you're returning to the VoNBBS projects (I've missed them; though I completely understand why they got pushed to the side! ;)! Hooray! The coat is beautiful; I've been itching to make a similar style jacket for this winter, but have some other things to make before I dive into coats/jackets (since I already have too many!). The wool you chose is gorgeous, and I can't wait to see the project as it takes shape. :) What sort of buttons have you picked out?

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  2. I'm sure your coat will be sublime... but I HATE, yes HATE raglan sleeves! I have a weakness for vintage coats, especially children's coats (with many patterns in my collection), but i steer clear of raglan sleeved coats. Looking forward to seeing your coat though :)

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  3. Yeaaa! I originally came across your blog when I did a Google search for sheath dresses and your beautiful red VoNBBS number came up =D Raglan sleeves aren't flattering on me, unfortunately, but I can't wait to see how yours came out, especially with those fabulous fabrics!

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  4. Whoopa, it's back! Great. :-) Lovely fabrics.

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  5. Excited to see you back on the VoNBBS projects! I am about ready to start the Lady Grey sew-a-long from last year...better late than never!

    Where did you get the faux fur & charmeuse? I haven't come across anything like that in Midtown?

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  6. welcome back, gertie! how great that you've finished your book--which we're all so excited about--and already have new things to share. you're incredible!

    i love a swing coat, and have considered one for myself. i'm so looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

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  7. Gertie, you're so timely! The latest THREADS magazine touted a raglan-sleeve swing coat.
    http://www.petitepluspatterns.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=250&Category_Code=PATTERNS#n

    I've been thinking of sewing this up for my momma for Christmas. :) I look forward to seeing how yours comes together!

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  8. Hi Gertie!

    Any chance you could post a bound buttonhole tutorial using the method you went over in class with us last month?

    Jen
    (from your Sunday class)

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  9. Oh, that is going to be one beautiful coat. I can just see it on you.

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  10. Nice! The colors are going to be so beautiful and I love the idea of a faux fur collar. I have some soft fluffy gray fur-like fabric, bought with that idea in mind, but to justify it I'd have to be planning a winter visit to anywhere but here.

    I'm making V1137 (the vintage reproduction) which has a similar silhouette to yours but with kimono sleeves instead of raglan. It's cut out but has to wait for me to finish a couple of dresses.

    I look forward to seeing yours as it develops.

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  11. It's the perfect color! The lining and the fur are to die for. So glad you are back to VoNBBS, and better than ever!

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  12. Oooh, I am so excited about seeing this! I just bought the exact same pattern and can't wait to try making one as well, although I find the thought of making a coat a little daunting still.
    Your fabrics are stunning and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished coat.

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  13. Gertie, I love the fabrics you are using!! I'm dying to see this coat when its finished. The lining fabric is to die for.

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  14. May one substitute real fur? (I confine my use of faux fur to stuffed animals.) Where I come from, a dead coyote is a good coyote.

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  15. Oh good heavens, that is going to be gorgeous! I love the polka dot fabric.

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  16. I love the faux fur! I think it's great that it nowadays can look so fabulous! Good luck!

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  17. YAY !! so glad you're returning to the VoNBBS projects - I cant wait to see what you stitch up next ! xx

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  18. Anon, the faux fur is from NY Elegant Fabrics. Printed charmeuse can be found pretty much anywhere in the garment district. Mine is from Chic Fabrics.

    Solange, haha. That's like asking if you can use turkey as a substitute for tofurky. In other words, yes. :)

    Jen, I'm going to do a bound buttonhole tutorial this week. But it will be for the patch method, which is my new fave.

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  19. You colourchoises are nothing short of delicious.
    That coat will be wonderful, I´m sure

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  21. I love the lining fabric. I ALWAYS enjoy a special lining. It's just like some delicious secret known only by me.

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  22. Wow! I can already tell that it's going to be just divine! I love all of your fabrics!

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  23. I am another person glad to see the VoNBBS projects returning. I totally understand why they went to the side and every post in between, but it's nice to see them back. I do love your fabric selection. I look forward to seeing it come together.

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  24. Wow that will be one amazing coat judging by the fabric you chose!

    Love that VoNBBS is back!

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  25. Hooray! I've loved your other projects but I'm SO EXCITED to see more VoNBSS! I'm another raglan-avoider (looks great on other people, not on me) but I love this style of coat and I really love the fabric you chose!

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  26. Really glad you're getting back to the VoNBBS - love this style of coat and the fabrics you've chosen.

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  27. Yay for the sewing projects! Love the fabrics you've chosen - sooooo swoonsome. You'll look like you're straight out of a Douglas Sirk movie...

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  28. This is going to be utterly stunning! I cannot wait to see how it turns out, I'm so glad you've started up with VoNBBS again, i've missed hearing about those projects. Although of course I know you had good reason to do so, and I cannot wait until your book comes out :)

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  29. Glad you're returning to the projects... but what happened to the little girls' dress? Granted, it's a basic dress that anyone who sews could replicate with any period yoke dress pattern....

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  30. Hi I know this doesn't have to do with your post but I just saw something about your husbands book! The Hunger Games Official Page on Facebook book just posted this "Hey everyone! Jeff Hirsch's new book THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE is now available and is an amazing read! Suzanne Collins raved: "The Eleventh Plague hits disturbingly close to home… An excellent, taut debut novel.""

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  31. Yay, VoNBBS! Your coat fabrics look gorgeous, and remind me of my grandma (in a GOOD way)! I'm really excited for this coat.

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  32. This is so very exciting, I can't wait to see your coat take shape. I love your fabric choices too! I hope to be able to make a coat one day but I've just started to learn to make clothes so maybe for next winter!

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  33. OMG! I'm dieing over the poka dots!

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  34. I LOVE that colour scheme - it's going to be fabulous and I echo the readers who are glad to see you return to these patterns. It's a bit like fantasy sewing.

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  35. You picked the most beautiful fabric and colours! I can't wait to read and see how it turns out.

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  36. I love beautiful coats and this one looks divine. I love coats from that era in fashion. Can't wait to see it progress.

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  37. I have a muslin question, Gertie. It looks like your muslin is in fairly lightweight fabric. Some people say that your muslin has to be a similar weight as your fashion fabric. What do you think?

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  38. Ooh, I'm very excited to see this. The colors are wonderful together, and the lining is fantastic. Several years ago, I saw a coat with a fantastic printed lining. I swore then that I'd never use plain lining again! I only recently discovered your blog, so this will be the first time I've gotten a preview then seen the final project. Looking forward to it.

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  39. I LOVE this coat pattern, and the fabric you chose is beautiful!

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  40. Those are very pretty fabrics. I'd be interested in how you are doing the removable fur collar. Will it be kind of a collar cozy for the wool collar?

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  41. 8 out of 14 isn't bad. Your attention span must be loads better than mine. ;) Can't wait to see the coat.

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  42. Love your fabric choices, can't wait to see the finished coat. x

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  43. I'm really happy that you're going back to VoNBBS! I've enjoyed everything else you've talked about, but I loved hearing the unfolding story of better sewing! Looking forward to hearing all about the coat and the gown...

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  44. I'm envious of your coat colors. I love bright colored coats, they help to keep the drab winter blues at bay. So far, it looks fab!

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  45. Love the combination of the fabrics you've picked out! Can't wait to see the finished result :)

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  46. I absolutely LOVE the combination of fabrics you've chosen for this project. They are gorgeous!!

    I look forward to following the creation of this great garment - I think I may have fabric envy!

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  47. How exciting! This line of projects is indeed what got me reading your blog, and I've hung on in hopes you'd stick to your guns (and for all the interesting tidbits in between). Congrats on the book. I assume this return to your lost prodigy means it's finished. Cheers!

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  48. I love this project-- I am considering making a new winter coat for myself this winter. I love the fur collar, I am in love with this look for fall. I think I may just copy you! Now to decide on a color for my coat...pick a pattern...etc, etc.

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  49. This is going to look amazing! The colour is so nice, can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  50. Back in the day, a coat meant much more then than it seems to today. There was an art to putting it on, wearing it, taking it off. Also the sweet mystery of what was under the coat. The anticipation of the reveal. A new dress or an old favorite? So many good memories seeing my parents friends & family walking form the curb to the front door wearing beautiful coats, gloves & hats. Gertie, can't wait to see your creation, it will be one of the best with those wonderful fabrics.

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  51. I cant wait to see the end result, exciting!

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  52. Will you be doing any specific shoulder padding to your raglan shoulders to maintain the rounded shaped?

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  53. I was just given about 50 + (I lost count) vintage patterns from Vogue to patterns I never heard of before! I can't wait to begin my journey into creating so many fashions! I am almost done your Burda Bombshell dress then I will be hitting the vintage look! Soooo Excited!!

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  54. I love that coat! I'm especially drawn to the short yellow version. And, I was just given my grandmothers sewing stash which includes fur collars she would save and re use. Hmmm... Maybe with the popularity of your blog, vogue would think about re-issuing some of the patterns featured in this book.

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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