Tuesday, December 10, 2013

A Really Sad Story


First I stalked the teal fabric in the red tag section at JoAnn's for months. It's 100 % wool. It was originally $16 a yard, then $14 and I finally bought it at a half off red tag sale. I couldn't believe fabric of this quality stayed there that long. I had it steamed by a cleaners to pre-shrink it.
I got the black cotton flannel to interline the sleeves from Vogue, then washed and dried it twice
I purchased the black lambswool to interline the body from Bergen tailors supply in New York.
The buttons came from an old coat I made and were originally from ebay.

I had a whole block of weekend free time to devote to my new winter coat:

V1128


The finished garment measurement on the tissue for the smallest size I had (a 16) was a bit big (my bust is 42), so I graded the pattern down to a 14 (making it 2 inches smaller). I also shortened it 4 inches.




I made a muslin out of a disgusting old nappy blanket that had had a unfortunate run-in with a washing machine.


Isn't it beautiful!!



Ha!! Does that look like 44 inches in the bust? More like 144! How about those three-quarter length sleeves? You can't even see my hands. And those drop shoulders? The bottom of the sleeve is at my waist!
It fits my husband better than it fits me!

I was so mad at myself for falling for this pattern. I should have known better. I did want a coat with a bit of ease so I could wear it over a light jacket or sweater, but this is ridiculous! The drop shoulder plus any pattern Vogue says is loose-fitting is a really bad combination for me. Maybe a size 10 would have worked, but I am going to just have to forget about this one.

I am so glad I made a muslin and didn't ruin my good fabric.

After my epic fail, I wore my nice cozy slanket while doing my online shopping. Sure is warm. I did find a nice coat pattern on ebay. I hope I'll have better luck next time.


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12 comments:

  1. JudithDecember 10, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    LOL! It looks big enough to fit 2 of you in there ;) That is one huge pattern ~ very misleading indeed. Can't wait to see your new coat pattern made up ... J

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    Replies
    1. chesneykatDecember 11, 2013 at 8:50 AM

      I knew from PR that it was big, but I didn't think it was that big!

      Delete
  2. SewCraftyChemistDecember 10, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    OMG I am so glad you didn't cut into your yummy fabric. That's INSANE!

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    Replies
    1. chesneykatDecember 11, 2013 at 8:51 AM

      I suppose I did have doubts about this pattern. That's why I sacrificed that beautiful blanket.

      Delete
  3. shamsDecember 10, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    Thank GOODNESS you made a muslin!!! I don't go by body sizing. I measure the pattern, esp at the bust. On to the next pattern. :)

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    Replies
    1. chesneykatDecember 11, 2013 at 8:53 AM

      I know! I guess it was a little hard to see where the bust ended and the sleeve began!

      Delete
  4. ElleCDecember 10, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    You have my condolences.

    I too, have fallen for Vogue's stupid sizing, One day we will all learn, right?

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    Replies
    1. chesneykatDecember 11, 2013 at 8:57 AM

      I have had that experience before with Vogue, so I'm not surprised! Sometimes you get a nice surprise (like Vogue 8624), but this just isn't one of those times.

      Delete
  5. becki-cDecember 11, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    OMG, you could sneak out of Sears with a Washer/dryer set under that thing!
    I recognize theis pattern, I have actually made the blouse and its rather cute.
    Condolences on the coat, but it looks like you still have a blanket...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jane MDecember 11, 2013 at 5:15 PM

    A friend of mine had the same experience with a loose overcoat last year....only she did cut the fabric. I think the combination of dropped shoulder and oversized makes this happen a lot regardless of the pattern company. Somehow it seems that RTW knows we'd never buy these so I can't imagine why pattern companies think their grading is a good idea.

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  7. istaDecember 12, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    Wow that's not just very loose fitting but crazy-large!

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  8. Anna R.January 10, 2014 at 3:55 PM

    This has happened to me too with a classy looking Geoffrey Beene pattern from 20 years ago. Drop shoulder line so long I couldn't raise my arms. It was uncomfortable AND roomy. I feel you.

    ReplyDelete

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