I received an email from Char in SW Pennsylvania and she asked if I would elaborate on the making of my snowman coat. I had a dream and I was wearing this coat. This never happened to me before and never happened since. But I woke up and remembered it and thought, I am going to make that coat because I just love snowmen!! Here are the steps I took to create my coat.
I started with McCall's pattern # 7409. I traced the pattern pieces I would be using for the coat with freezer paper. Starting with the front pattern piece, I started by drawing lines on the freezer paper copy and sectioning off the copy in sort of a crazy quilt pattern. I used different shapes and sizes. After drawing in my lines, I then assigned a number to each of my pattern pieces and then I added lines and arrows connecting the pieces together, so I would know how to put the pieces back together. This way I would know if I had my pieces upside down or right side up. Now, I made another copy exactly like the first one and this would be my guide. Next, I cut my shapes apart on the first copy and the second copy would be my guide for sewing it back together. (Click on pictures to enlarge)
Now I took my shapes and cut pieces of jean material and left about a one-inch seam allowance all around the shape. I also copied pictures of all the snowmen embroidery designs that I was going to use. I laid them on the pieces where I thought they should be embroidered. Some pieces I embroidered snowmen on, some I left without. Each shape after being cutout and decided whether it needed embroidery, I would place it back on my second copy that is my guide. I could then see where I needed embroidery. After I was happy with my layout, I embroidered on my pieces and then I started sewing pieces back together. I drew a line around each pattern piece for a sewing line. I left the extra 1-inch on each piece just in case things did not line up right. This was the first time I attempted a project like this, so I was unsure where I was going with it. It actually went back together very easily.
After I had the entire front piece sewn back together, I topstitched along each seam with a different decorative stitch and a different color on my sewing machine, so it would have that crazy quilt stitch look to it.
When I had the seams top stitched, then I placed my #7409 pattern piece back on the material and trimmed it up exactly like the pattern. I repeated these steps for each pattern piece. Back, sleeves, etc.
Next came the zipper, when I tried to add my zipper it looked very messy when I turned back the seam when I followed along the pattern directions. There was the seams and the topstitching that just did not look good turned back to add the zipper. So I decided to make a placket. I actually sewed the zipper down two sides of jean material the length of the coat then I attached that to the coat and this looked wonderful. I also lined the coat by copying the same pattern pieces in a flannel material, and sewed in a lining. The pattern does not call for a lining, but it was easy to attach. This is the warmest coat I ever had. No wind gets through it. I hope this helps you understand the steps I took to make this and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I can't tell you how many times I have been stopped when I where this coat. Everyone remarks on it. Unfortunately, I have lost 30 pounds and now it is a little big on me, so last year, it just hung in the closet. I lost weight, YEAH!! Can't wear my snowman coat, VERY SAD!!
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1 comment:
Thanks for the instructions! You have given me inspiration to try this technique on some of my projects. I really enjoy your blog and videos. Keep up the good work!
Char in SW Pennsylvania
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