She Who Sews

It's been a while, but a holiday, a loss of sew-jo, and a heavy cold have put a dampener on my sewing activities. I finally sat down and got on with it to try to get out of my sewing funk that I'd gotten into.



After buying the remaining length of orange wool from a since closed down online fabric shop, I've wanted to make a Fox coat for a year now. As with many projects, it's been pushed to the back burner repeatedly. But I gave myself a deadline of one day to make and photograph the coat.



I think I may have given myself too strict a deadline, but I got on with it. I printed and stuck the pattern together, then cut the fabric, then got on with sewing the coat together. By just before dinnertime, I'd completed the coat entirely. Then I had to stop to cook dinner for the kids. By the end of dinner, the rainy day had made the evening draw in really quickly and I'd totally lost all natural light for photographs. So I didn't quite complete my self imposed deadline. Thankfully it wasn't actively raining the following morning and little boy was more than happy to model the coat so long as he could play with his remote controlled car!



The sewing itself was pretty easy. The coat has a boxy design, purposely cut a little large to last a couple of winters. The ears gave me the most bother as the wool, the fleece and the black velour actually ended up being quite thick to sew through. I followed the instructions, mostly, but changed up the way I sewed the sleeve hems together, and also didn't leave a hole in the bottom hem to topstitch. I used the bagging out method to attach the lining and the outer together.



With the lining and outer right sides together, I sewed as per instructions, around all the edges of the coat (including the full bottom hem). But before turning out, I sewed each sleeve hem together too. This leaves you with what looks like a complete jumble that will never turn out, but it works! I'd left a hole in one side seam of my lining to turn the coat out. This meant I didn't have to topstitch the turning hole shut in the bottom hem, instead I hand stitched the lining closed. Maybe this might seem like extra effort, but I prefer it as no matter how precise I am, the hole in the hem edge is always a little uneven to me.



My son coloured in a picture of a wild things coat. He chose the fox, and added his own details. He specifically wanted red pockets, black tipped ears, and the letters FOX on the three buttons.



So I made his picture come to life. I had some thick red cotton that I used for the patch pockets, and self-cover buttons which I also covered in the red cotton. I then found some glittery green felt I had in the kids craft box, and freehand cut out some little letters. This meant he could have his FOX buttons, just like his picture. He was also very specific on not having a tail. I wonder whether he's getting a little old for a full dress up coat?!



I did omit the claws at the end of the sleeves. I knew that the sleeves would need turning up, and thus the claws would disappear. I also thought they'd get soggy and muddy in all his adventuring. I quite like the green lining fabric peeking out of the turned up cuffs!



This coat pattern is part of the Wild Things range by Twig and Tale. My girl has requested I make her a bunny coat next, which I'd love to do, but she already has far too many winter coats this year.... hmm... decisions, decisions!

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*Disclaimer: Some of the links in the post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission (the price stays the same for you) which will help me in the future to buy more patterns to share them with you!*

I have finally found a pattern that is easy, quick, simple and classic looking. And even better, it is something that my son loves to wear. This is a huge win for me, and I have to thank Twig + Tale for such an awesome pattern!



He is over the moon that I have made him something for a change. He showed his appreciation by wearing the shirt continuously for days until I had to confiscate it to wash it. The fabric is a lovely soft cotton shirting from Fabworks. Sometimes I wish I didn't live an 8 hour drive away from their Millshop.... then other times sense kicks in, and I'm glad I'm so far away, I think I might be bankrupt if I was close by!



As soon as it was washed and ironed, he wore it again. It's now got a splodge of tree-sap on the front from playing in a pine forest, which sadly has not come out in the wash, despite being sprayed with Vanish first. I'm guessing it'll gradually wash out the more he wears and I wash it?



This picture above, both my son and daughter are intently inspecting the undergrowth in 'the Jungle'. It's a perfect view of the back (or front, the blouse can be worn with the tie at the front or back) of the shirt, and a little glimpse of the Pixie Dungarees on my daughter. Back to the pattern. This is marketed as a blouse and dress pattern, for girls. But from the moment I saw the line drawings, I knew I wanted to make up a shirt for my boy. It has a boho, casual, surfer vibe to it. It's simple and classic, and it suits him down to a tee.



I think he likes it because it's easy to wear, there are no buttons or ties, no itchy labels (he seems to have an aversion to shop bought clothes, and I always have to cut out the labels before he's happy) and it covers him up. He doesn't have to have sunscreen on his arms when the sun is out, and he doesn't have to wear a jumper to keep warm. I made him the plain 'blouse', it has long sleeves gathered to a small cuff, it has a gently gathered neckline into self made bias. In theory, I should have added either the neck-ties, or a button and loop to the open v-shaped neckline, but he was very certain he didn't want either.



My daughter was sad when she realised the shirt was for my son, so a week later, I have actually sewn up another shirt for him in red chambray in exactly the same options as this pictured green shirt (why change something that so obviously works for him!), a long sleeve blouse for her (nearly the same, but I added a button and loop to the neckline on her request), and I have a dress cut out ready to sew too (this dress version has a neck ruffle, and short sleeves gathered in to a cuff), all from the very same pattern.



There are so many combinations, you'd be hard pressed to make them all. You can have gathered cuffed sleeves, either short or long, elasticated sleeves in either short or long, long bias neck ties, button and loop or open neckline (like I made). Then, there is also the option to have a v-shaped neck opening, or a teardrop shape. You can have a blouse/shirt or dress. And to make it super girly, a neck ruffle is included, in either wide, or super wide! Like I say, soooo many options! The pattern is on sale now, until midnight Monday 3rd July (PST). You can get a bundled copy here.



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*I was given this pattern to sew up for photography purposes, however all views are my own. And seriously, this is one pattern I am in love with!*

*Disclaimer: Some of the links in the post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission (the price stays the same for you) which will help me in the future to buy more patterns to share them with you!*