Nov 12, 2013

What Cathy won + my pea coat fabric choices!



You may have heard that Cathy won Friday night's Little Black Dress contest at the Pattern Review anniversary party, held at Elliot Berman Textiles.  With a little help from you-know-who.

As you can see from the photo above, Deepika Prakash, Pattern Review's founder and CEO, could hardly keep her eyes (or hands) off the prize.  Cathy told me they nearly came to blows.  Just look at that body language!





I thought I'd share with you what Cathy, and I guess by extension, I won.  It is amazing stuff (donated by Elliot Berman).

Fabric #1 is a beautiful L. Mendel silk jacquard, made in Italy.  I'm not sure these photos do it justice; it has a marvelous sheen.





Fabric #2 is a laminated wool tweed by none other than Chanel.   





I'd like to thank Elliot Berman for these glorious fabrics -- as well as for their warm hospitality on Friday night.  Eugenia, who led the night's activities, was exceptionally complimentary about Cathy's dress.  Luckily, Cathy swore not to mention that the dress was made from $2/yd. acetate taffeta and that the total cost was less than Cathy's control-top pantyhose at our local Duane Reade drugstore.

Eugenia and Cathy trade compliments.

As if that weren't enough fine fabric for one day, this morning I spent most of my Mood allowance on wool coating for my Japanese pattern book pea coat -- my next Mood Sewing Network project and which will be unveiled late next week.  I have a lot of work to do!

Originally I thought I would underline the outer wool coating with a separate inner wool coating (and bind the seams with bias), like I did for my duffle coat a few years ago and which worked great -- the coat is light, warm, and on the inside, colorful.



But since I like both fabrics equally, I am thinking of making two separate coats and just lining them with standard lining.  The wool coating is pretty warm already and I like to layer.  So we'll see.

First, this Donegal tweed.





The second fabric has more of a Melton feel, smooth and slightly felted.  It's pale gray with solid and dotted brown stripes.







I was thinking that the Donegal tweed might be better for a raglan-style topcoat (I believe it's called a balmacaan; the things you learn sewing!) like the coat below.



But then I found this image on Pinterest:



If I could make a coat that looked like that, I'd be in seventh heaven.



So that's it, readers -- a lot of fabric to take in, I recognize.

Thoughts, suggestions, warnings?  I'm all ears.

Have a great day, everybody!

24 comments:

  1. Congratulations!!! It looks like your make it work moments really paid off :)

    I love how elegant Cathy looks in her version of a LBD!

    -Ash P
    http://distractedashley.blogspot.com

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  2. I thought of you with the launch of Colette's new toggle coat, Albion!

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  3. gorgeous Donegal tweed, I think you are right about the raglan sleeve model ,
    Cathy looked very soigné in the LBD, congratulations what an achievement, don't make a secret of the cost, it's great to know how beautiful clothes can be had on a budget if you are prepared to put in the work.

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  4. Wonderful fabric that you won! I'm in love with that pea coat!

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  5. You CAN make a coat that looks like that. I know you can! Lane

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  6. the coat in the last picture looks almost identical to the soon-to-be-released thread theory coat pattern. love the fabrics you have here!

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  7. Beautiful fabric! I especially am digging that tweed and melton. I love that 2nd jacket. I second the thread theory peacoat pattern! Congrats on your win!

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    1. The Thread Theory peacoat pattern is not available yet. Not to mention I've already muslined the Japanese pattern book version.

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  8. i could see that sheen from across the room.

    love the looks on mary & deepika's faces!

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  9. You really owe it to Cathy - she got you some AWESOME fabric!

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  10. Gorgeous fabric, all of it. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

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  11. Whoa, the fabric you (oops Cathy) won, and the fabric you chose on your allowance--all gorgeous! I'm glad you have the beautiful fabric that your beautiful sewing deserves. (Not that you can't work wonders with taffeta acetate.)

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    1. Second the motion. I have to say I'm relieved the color blocking seems to be fading as a priority. As much I love the idea of making stuff out of great recycled finds like old blankets. . . it seems a shame to put sooooo much work into something and not use the very best ingredients you can get your hands on. I can tell, I will now be green with envy when that coat is finished.

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    2. Wonderful fabrics straight from the bolt are nice, but there is something mysteriously appealing about making great use of an odd tidbit, a thrifted find, a scrap...

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  12. Congratulations Cathy and Peter! What a gorgeous silk fabric. It would look lovely on Michael. Do you have enough yardage for a shirt?

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  13. The floral silk is exquisite congratulations. Good luck with your coat project.

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  14. When is Michael going to get a warm and fabulous handcrafted coat? He would look smashing in the Melton fabric with the stripes.

    Congratulations to you and Cathy! She, of course, looked fantastic and your design skills, Peter, are always amazing.

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  15. Cathy and Michael make a handsome pair together. It is amazing that "she" won the LBD contest. The dress you made for her is beautiful and sophisticated.

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  16. My goodness, no wonder you are in fabric heaven. I love the photos, and I'm jealous you got to meet Deepika in person!

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  17. Totally jealous of the fabric you received. Another gal and I won the Boston PR meetup fashion show and received PR 10th anniversary bags. On the 12th anniversary! Clearly Deepika and the folks at Elliot Berman were dazzled by Cathy's shining presence in that acetate. Think we need a Boston/New York PR smackdown next year. (Gotta forgive Deepika, though, she's cute as a button!)

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  18. Ha! Love that first photo! My attempt to just touch with one finger, rather than fondle with my entire hand, was in such good taste, wouldn't you agree? I just HAD to know what laminated Chanel tweed felt like! Congratulations again on your well-deserved win!

    Congrats again on you

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  19. Donegal tweed in the shorter length pea coat would be my choice. I'm still mourning the loss of my Donegal tweed hat which was STOLEN from me in Ireland 35 years ago

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  20. I guess this means you're keeping the Chanel! *LOL* Love the coat choices...I'm sure you're finished garment is going to be amazing!

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