The phrase "stop traffic" means to command attention. Few things have that sort of power. Things like:
A traffic agent
a traffic cone,
or a beautiful woman.
Imagine then the effect of a beautiful woman wearing a traffic cone!
Oh, the folly! I adore my new coat, even though I don't think I dare to wear this out in public, sober Dutch public, mind you.
It actually falls under the category of a wearable muslin. The pattern is Vogue 8548, which I had been wanting to try for a while. I especially wondered if I could make that wide collar stand out as it should, and whether it was practical to wear for real.
The fabric is a mid-quality wool double cloth remnant that I picked up for $20 at the fabric market. Up close you can see that the fabric nap is not as dense as in the high-end versions. But it does have a robust hand and that was precisely what I was hoping to try. I've always admired what people like Geoffrey Beene can do with this type of fabric, but had never tried to sew it up myself. This remnant offered the perfect no-worry opportunity.
The technical details are in my review of Vogue 8548 at Pattern Review. Here instead I'll tell you that sewing this as a wearable muslin was a fantastic experience. It freed me to try new techniques, like a fused hem (I know, don't wince, it's just a muslin, remember?) and to practice old ones, like topstitching.
Plus, once I embraced the folly of my traffic cone jacket, I just kept on going...
Wait, is that...? Yup, that is a carnival-print lining! Sure! Because why not? (and it truly was the best match from my stash, I swear).
Oh I love love love it - it's just too good to be true - a human traffic cone with carnival lining! I do hope you get over your self consciousness about this coat and wear it heaps. It'll brighten up your day and everyone else - just what everyone needs in the middle of winter.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, I'm working up the courage. The weather report just predicted a whole week of rain... that might just do it I think!
DeleteAy Lucía, que divertida eres! Las fotos introductorias y luego tú con tu abrigo, me he estado riendo en alto un buen rato (mis hijos me han mirado un poco raro, la verdad) Pero ya en serio: El abrigo me parece muy bonito y todo el mundo deberia de tener un abrigo naranja o fucsia para alegrarnos un poco estos meses tan tristones. Ole, tú!
ReplyDeleteGracias Merche :-) La verdad que si me gusta el abrigo, a ver si me animo un fin de semana a salir en el, que es muy cierto que aqui en Holanda nos falta el color mucho en el invierno.
DeleteLOVE this orange coat! Just what a winterscape needs - a pop of colour! Everyone in TO wears black like it's a funeral season or something, so I love seeing winter coats that are cheerful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tia Dia, indeed what's with all the dark coats? I inherited some lovely ones from my mom but all in navy, black or grey. Wait, now that I think of it, she had many bright scarves... hmmm why didn't I put two and two together before? How funny, thanks for the insight! :-)
DeleteI love this coat, a beautiful colour and shape. I do hope you wear it out and about. When I lived in the northern hemisphere I craved colour in winter - this is it!!
ReplyDelete(BTW my middle name is Lucia:))
Thanks Paola, I am working up the courage to wear it. With our grey winters, I might just be ready in another week or two. And good to know another Lucia :-) in Spanish we have a word for this: two people with the same name are "tocayas". I wonder if such a word exists in other languages?
DeleteI have made this coat pattern. I really like it except that it doesn't have pockets. I thought briefly about going back and adding inseam pockets. Never did it, I like the orange color of your coat. Perfect when you just want to wear something bright and cheery on a cold winter's day. Nice wearable muslin.
ReplyDelete