Binkies and Briefcases

I cannot tell you how excited I am that I got this one right on the first try!

Like I told you, I’m not the most accurate seamstress in the whole world. That’s mostly because I hate bringing math or ironing into anything I am trying to do for enjoyment. So I don’t measure. And I DON’T press seams. (I tell myself that women were figuring out how to make clothes for their families long before there were standard measurement systems and electric irons, but really it’s just because I’m lazy like that.)

But I bought a bunch fleece fabric last week because it was 50% and I decided that I was going to make some coats for the kids. Oh, and I also wanted them to be reversible. I’m really into argyle these days, but an entire coat made from argyle could sometimes be a bit much.

So what if I’m not going to measure anything and I don’t have a pattern for what I want and I’ve never made anything reversible or with sleeves? How hard can it be?

Surprisingly, not very.

I spent a little bit of time looking at a jacket Nicholas already had that fit him well.

And I realized that the main structure was made out of parts that are shaped like these (I just folded the original jacket and traced around each part to get the size I wanted)

The piece at the top will be the back, the two pieces under it on the left will become the front, and the rounded pieces on the right will be the sleeves.

To get the reversible effect I wanted, I cut two of each piece, put them right sides together, sewed them together on three sides, then turned each piece right-side-out and did a zig zag stitch along the bottom.

Here’s a close up of the zig-zagged edge. You could use bias tape here if you wanted it to look a little more finished.

Then I attached the pieces to each other by butting them up and zig-zagging them together. You can see these seams, but I actually like the way it looks all put together.

Attach the front pieces to the back first by sewing from the arm hole down. Then attach the shoulders.

The sleeves were tricky. (so tricky that I decided to keep this a “vest” for a few days because I just knew I was probably going to mess them up.) I did the shoulder seam first, then I zig-zaged the rest closed. I made sure to keep the seam from the armpit down because that’s where it was on the “real” jacket.

I think it came out pretty awesome considering I was just making stuff up as I went along. (Granted, I probably should have taken some extra time to try to match up the pattern in the argyle at the seams.) I don’t know how an actual seamstress would do it, but I like my version just fine.

I cant decide if I’m going to add buttons or just Velcro for the closure. I might also add a collar or a hood if I’m feeling ambitious later.

It’s a little big, but I wanted it that way so that it will fit over bulky sweatshirts and last him until next year. (Sorry, he couldn’t be bothered to stop watching his robot movie while I took the pictures)

I bought a similar argyle in white, pink & purple & a matching purple fleece to make one for Abby too.

Now I’m a little sad that it’s been 90 degrees here lately. I hope it cools down within the next couple weeks, because I want him to wear this on his apple picking preschool field trip!

Update: Buttons really up the cuteness factor!

Dear God,

I know you are the one doing this to me again. This time it’s really not funny. I don’t think that it is coincidental that just two days ago Eddie and I had discussed the possibility of fostering or adopting another child and decided not to do it for at least a few more years so that we could use this time to concentrate on Nicholas (of course Abby too, but I mean focus on Nicholas’ difficult issues) and then the same day there was a computer glitch that caused me to get an unsolicited (meaning it was sent to me even though I hadn’t contacted them) out-of-office automatic reply email dated a month ago from the Diakon foster care agency here in PA. And now today I get an email from a social worker I emailed a year and a half ago who did not get that email until yesterday?! And she is writing to give me more information on how to foster children in Pennsylvania. Are you serious? Don’t you think you are being just a little bit pushy?

There is kind of a lot on my plate right now just dealing with the first child you brought us out of the foster care system. (As you are aware, I just had to take a break from writing this because he was running around stark naked.) Is this your response to my Call for Suggestions? To add another one? (or more) Not funny. Not to mention that, as I am sure you are fully aware, Eddie’s heart is not open to this right now. In the future if you are going to be calling on us to do these kinds of things do you think you could go through him? It would be really great if I didn’t have to worry about being the middle man again.

If this is what you really want then fine, but it’s not just up to me. This time we both are going to need a lot more convincing, sorry. Hope you understand.

Love,
Steph

A few days ago I told you that I ordered this dress from Shabby Apple.

It came today, so I thought I would use this opportunity to review it. (Note:Shabby Apple did not compensate me in any way, I just loved the idea of this company & I figured I would post an honest review for you)

I am very pleased with the fit of this dress. I am VERY curvy and it flatters my body type very well. The size chart on their website was accurate. Plus it is very comfortable and easy to move in. I also love that there was a little tag attached with the name and story of a woman in India who was being helped by my purchase because the company donates a part of its profits to women across the world.

However, there were a few things I did not love so much. First, the color is much darker in person. On my computer, this dress looks like a granny smith apple green. In real life it is more of a true green, like a green crayon. I’m not sure I love the color, it has to grow on me. Second, it looks home-sewn. It looks like I made it myself, which I will be completely capable of doing once I break out my new serger. And speaking of sergers, one of the serged edges on the ruffles on the front of the dress was slightly frayed. There is also a very tiny hole (maybe the size of a pinhead) in the back at the bottom of the zipper. Neither the fraying or small hole would have been a big deal by themselves, but when a brand new dress is delivered with several flaws it is a little concerning. Plus the cap sleeves stick out much further in real life than they do in the pictures.

I have not decided if I should keep this dress or return it. Like I said, I really love the fit and I LOVE the idea behind this company. (That idea being that modest is hottest and we can make cute dresses that flatter all body types and give back to less fortunate women all over the world all at the same time) Even though I am not in love with the color in person, I do think that it is a flattering color for my skin tone. I don’t wear a lot of green, but I am trying to branch out and take risks with my wardrobe, so I am tempted to keep it. It does seem like a pretty perfect Thanksgiving dress.

I was envisioning it feeling much more casual, like a piece that I could pair with a jean jacket and my new favorite shoes in the whole world, my metallic ballet flats, but it is definitely too formal to be that kind of everyday dress. This dress manages to mix elegant with home-sewn, but maybe I’m misreading it and it really just looks vintage.

There is a difference between hand-made and home-made and this dress is really walking the line. If I keep it it will either become a piece of my wardrobe that I absolutely love because it fits well and is comfortable and unique or a piece that I truly hate and regret wasting so much money on.

I honestly can’t decide if I love it or hate it. I think if it had come with a smaller price tag I would be completely in love with it, but for $80 and being from an established company I was expecting it to look a little more professionally made, it honestly looks like it came from an Etsy shop. Is that good or bad? The jury is still out.

This is what it looks like in real life.
Once I did my hair and put on a pair of heals I started to lean towards the like it side more than I did when I first tried it on.

What are your thoughts? Do you love it or hate it. Please be honest.