Project Run and Play Week 4

Thank you guys so much for voting last week! Phew, I made it through and am so glad because I really wanted to make this coat! Yes it's Outerwear week...week 4 and I am thrilled to still be in the competition. Head on over to Project Run and Play to vote (voting is up till Sunday night) and then come on back and check out these photos.

I just have to say that I was knocked flat by a wicked stomach bug this week so the fact that this coat even got made is kind of a miracle. Luckily there was a good bit of hand sewing which could be done laying on the couch, and I had mostly finished the pattern before it hit.

Unfortunately the coat didn't get done till the very last minute so we had to take photos outside on a dark rainy day (yesterday eek!).

I dyed the linen to get the perfect shade. I've found that adding a touch of black to anything I'm dying gives it a richer, sort of softer look...which is what I am looking for. I use liquid dyes so I can keep adding and mixing and adjusting and I almost never use just one color.

I quilted this coat and I forgot to mention that I used regular 6 strand embroidery floss that I actually dyed also. It started out pale blue and so it turned out just ever so slightly different color than the fabric-- which I love and think just adds to the depth of the coat.

I didn't quilt though all three layers but just the outer and batting layers and then inserted the lining as usual.

I made bias tape and used it to finish all the edges. Linen is really wiggly when its cut on the bias so its a tad tricky to get sewn in neatly.

The cuffs are a little long on purpose #1 so this will fit her for more than 10 min, but also because I wanted to be able to fold them up and get a peek at the lining. I love the tone on tone look of those fabrics together.

I forgot to mention that these buttons are wood. They felt perfect for the natural vibe of this coat.

So one of the hardest things about this whole process is getting Avery to hold still enough to take a decent picture. She is SUCH a ham, which I love and normally would be all about showing her personality in photos, but since its a sewing competition I am trying to make sure the clothes look good and she pulls the funniest craziest body positions and faces constantly. I'm like "Avery...PLEASE just make a normal face."

"But mom...this is my thinking face."

Love this girl.