1912 Project - The Duster Coat Part 1

Whew!  I feel like I've been putting this post off for a while because I wanted to be finished with my duster coat before I posted, but as it looks like it's going to take me at least a little while longer to finish up the details (and I'm on a deadline!) I decided I would post this in sections so you could see how it's progressing.

This post will address some of the modifications I've made to the pattern.  I promised this duster coat to my Mum as a spring coat (she's the only human I know tiny enough to fit her arms into the wee little sleeves!).  She claims to be about an inch taller than me (about 5' nothing ;) so I decided to crop the length of the duster coat to about knee length.

Some additional modifications:

• I created a facing piece for the jacket so that I could line it. 
• I'm using velvet ribbon instead of bias tape for the trim, and the part where the trim curves on the collar was cut to fit from a piece of the brown satin lining (for some texture contrast)
• I am also debating doing a belt detail at the back waist to draw in some of the fullness of the coat.  That will have to wait till I can try it on my model so I can see what the fit looks like.

Riddle is supervising the pattern cutting..

I'm progressing pretty well so far.  I have my pattern pieces cut, the outer part of the jacket has been basted and just needs to be tried on my Mom for fit.  Once the adjustments have been made, I will add the lining and do another post!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

..and the first pattern is....

Duster Coat (Image courtesy of VPLL)

OMG...I'm SO excited (and maybe a teeensy bit overwhelmed) but just LOOK at this gorgeous coat!  I can't wait to begin!  I even think I may try my hand at making the hat to go with it.  Now I just need to think about colors..what do you all think?  I thought perhaps a camel color with chocolate brown velvet trim and then perhaps the hat in camel, brown and cream color for the roses..

Hugs and Smooches,
D

The 1912 Project - My pattern is on it's way!

I know it's been a while since I posted about the 1912 Project.  The lovely Janyce Hill who has been feverishly putting the patterns together to go out has had her hands full!

Howeverrr, I received an email yesterday saying that my group's patterns will be going out this week..AND I had an email this morning that said I could request an image of my first pattern.  I am horrible with surprises.  Horrible.  SO I emailed Janyce back and requested the image.  The very second I get it, I will share with you all!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

The 1912 Project - Bloggers and Patterns

The 1912 Project is beginning to gain some steam!  Some of the patterns have been digitized and should be going out in the mail soon (I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for my first pattern to arrive!)

Today, I thought I would share some pictures with you of a few of the patterns that are part of the project, and also a list of the bloggers who will be participating.  (SUCH a talented group of folks.  I'm beyond delighted to be working with them!)

Here are some of the my favorite patterns shown on the VPLL 1912 Project blog;

Ladies Coat

Ladies Taffeta Dress

Ladies Simple Dress

Ladies Blouse

I think the Ladies Simple Dress may be my favorite ;)  My plan is to tackle these patterns as-is for the project and then do an additional post modifying each garment so that it's more wearable (For example, I would shorten the Ladies Coat to knee length, and the same with the Simple Dress.  The Ladies Blouse could be paired with a pleated skirt for a slightly nautical feel.  I think, depending on the fabrics used, they could all have a romantic feel that could be paired with more modern accessories for a totally wearable look!)

Here are some of the participants:
Annabellebumps
aestheticculture
After the Dress..
A Jew in the Rain
Are Clothes Modern
Arkivarie
A Sewing Machine and an Umbrella
Bank of Mom
Cation Designs
Costume Deeva
Domestic News
Fairy Gottmother
Gwendie's Quilts
Idle Hands..The Ms Fits Workshop
Kats Costumes
Ladyglo
Sabrina's Journal
Diary of a Mantua Maker
Many Sides of One Coin
Melodyejoy's Weblog
My Happy Sewing Place
Of Corset Matters
Down the Retro Rabbit Hole
Red Silk Thread
Sewing 1912 Again
Sewing the Titanic
Sewn Threads
Shoes are my Muse
TeresaCotter
The Devils Darning Needle
TheGoldenAgeofFashion
The Urban Pheasant
Victoria Wren

Looking forward to sharing my first pattern and fabric choices with you!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

P.S Fellow 1912 Bloggers, if you aren't on this list, please feel free to add yourself in the comments!  XO

Guess Who's Joined the 1912 Project??

Meeeeee!!  I'm so excited to be able to share this with you :)  Here's how it works..

The 1912 project is being sponsored by the Vintage Pattern Lending Library.  They plan to reproduce approximately 150 patterns from the 1912 issues of the French fashion journal La Mode Illustrée in honor of the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  The patterns will be a combination of Women's, Men's and Children's fashion (though I have requested to only recieve Women's fashions) and will culminate at the end of 2012.  The sewists involved in the project will be testing the patterns (and to be honest, friends, it will certainly be a test for me.  Minimal instruction about the construction, which will mean some trial and error..you may hear me shouting things like "Holy Bananas!" or "Son of a Gun!" in an effort to curb my cussing..) and posting their progress on their blogs, or on the VPLL blog site.

I will be incorporating these posts as part of the Home Ec series so you can all follow along.  I plan to use images from vintage photographs (and Downton Abby, of course!) to inspire my fabric and color selections.  Here are some that I am in loooove with right now:

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I'm already crazy about the gorgeous jewel tones and sumptuous fabrics!

If you would like to be involved, you can visit The 1912 Project or email the VPLL at vpll.librarian@gmail.com

I'll post the second I recieve my first pattern and let you know what's in store!

Hugs and Smooches,
D