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Sewing: Make It With Wool
14 kudoz

Make It With Wool

Make It With Wool

Chanel Inspired Tweed Camellia
A beautiful day in the Park for photos
1st Place NC Make It With Wool
Make It With Wool
Sleeve Vent with Detachable Trim
Hidden Buttonhole Placket

Learn It

This project was made as part of a Craftsy course:
The Couture Dress »

Instructions

My inspiration was a Chanel Couture Coat, featured in the Couture Collection, Paris Runway Show for Fall 2012.

Working with handwoven fabric required special attention to detail and handling the seams.

I used a 1 inch strip of featherweight fusible for all seams to prevent frays and support the seams.

Also, Machine Embroidered buttonholes were the perfect ...
Read full instructions »
Difficulty:

Category: Sewing

Type of item: Clothing

For: Other

Style: Classic

Materials

90% Wool and 10% Mohair - Handwoven

What was your inspiration?

My inspiration was a Chanel Couture Coat, featured in the Couture Collection, Paris Runway Show for Fall 2012 and a beautiful handwoven wool and mohair fabric by Linda Kubik of Ritzville, WA.

My goal was to enter the Make It With Wool (MIWW) Contest (Adult Division). When I was 16, I entered the MIWW and was selected as the 1970 National Junior Winner. After 42 years, I thought it would be fun to try again.

What are you most proud of?

Taking the time to Focus on Fit. Yes, at least 10 tries with various patterns. I had some real problem areas due to round shoulders and sway back.

Learning so many new skills and techniques, available from the Couture Dress Course. I felt like I had a "Best Friend" and "Sewing Angel" with me, at every step.

Of course - Finishing It!

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Enjoy the process. Stay with it. Set a goal for each time you sew. Check each step, as short cuts will only compound. If it's not just right, do-over. Kathy Ruddy's Seam Slicer was always my nearest notion.

Gather what you expect you will need, before you start. Since many hometowns have limited options, and many supplies may need to be ordered, don;t settle for whatever is available. Search until you find what you need.

Practice your pressing techniques. This is so important for the fabric you choose. Don't let an iron ruin your project.

Test your Interfacings! and your Embroidery Stabilizers!

My three most important purchases were a new iron Oliso Pro (the one that does Push Ups), Dress Form (On Sale at Hancock Fabrics and Couture Womens Size Coat Hangers from the Kirby Hanger Project.

 

27 comments

Add your comment:

tvjulie on craftsy.com
tvjulie
Jan 25, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
Just wanted to let you know that I pinned this project onto my Pinterest board called "Make Your Own Chanel Jacket".
tvjulie on craftsy.com
tvjulie
Jan 11, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
Congratulations! Well deserved.
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Jan 05, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
The National Make It With Wool (MIWW) judging for the Adult Division was held on 29 Dec 2012. I received a call following the judging from the National MIWW Director, Ms Marie Lehlfedlt, that my outfit had been selected as 1st Place Adult Division, and that as part of my prize will be attending the National Competition to be held in San Antonio, TX! Of course, I am totally thrilled to have been selected, but just as much to be able to share this honor and experience with so many that have helped and encouraged me along the way. Your encouragement and lovely comments have made winning the National Competition even more special. When planning for your next project, and as this class highlights, consider "Making It With Wool"!
Lori Liang on craftsy.com
Lori Liang
Jan 04, 2013    Flag as inappropriate
This a beautiful coat and a well deserved first prize. You look very well put together with the blouse, pants and flower broach.
Candice in WLA on craftsy.com
Candice in WLA
Oct 08, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
CC - I love your coat!! Just gorgeous and all of the work you put into it shows!! Can you tell me more about the fusing of the edges? I'll be working on a Chanel inspired jacket for the next couple of months, and I love to hear more about what is fused and what is not fused. Also, is the taping "next" to the seam line, or is it on top the seam line (i.e. do you stitch directly on the tape?)
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Oct 08, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
The fused edges was a very, very important technique to work with a handwoven fabric. I cut 1 inch strips of an Angel Weft from Professional Sewing Supplies, Seattle, WA (206) 324-8823. What was most important is that the weft did not change the hand of the fabric. Apple Annie's Angel Face also is a very good choice. I used it today on a Wool/Silk boucle. Apple Annies has several other fusibles suitable for boucle and great service. The taping is basted directly over the seam line, and hand stitched on either side of the tape. This way I was able to control the ease best. The only other fusing was a layer of hair canvas at the upper shoulder. All other interfacing and silk organza underlining was pad stitched to the fashion fabric. This would be way too much inner construction for a Chanel Inspired Jacket, as they are meant to be worn like a sweater. At the Claire Schaeffer workshop last week, we were all amazed at the little interfacing used, but much would depend on your fabric. Also bias strips of silk organza, stretched to remove all stretch would work very well in lieu of the tape and reduces any potential bulk
Ms. BB on craftsy.com
Ms. BB
Oct 08, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Your coat is elegant and beautifully made, well-deserving of its first prize in NC's MIWW contest. I love the matching flower broach on the coat. Did you use a pattern for that or just create it? I'd love to see your "grasshopper" dress! Being a gardener, I am in need of seeing beauty in this particular bug, and am sure your gown is gorgeous.
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Oct 08, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
I clipped a petal from a Freebie Machine Embroidery available at: http://en.embgallery.com/V_001 and created two sizes. The tutorial is a scrapbook flower tutorial available at: http://amadrian8.blogspot.com/2012/07/saturdaynew-flower-tutorial.html
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Oct 08, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
The Passion For Fashion Challenge was a totally awesome experience. My entry to be selected as a Finalist was "Scrap To Treasure". My "Dress Rehearsal" was a challenge inspired by a Conch Shell. I loved being inspired by the "Grasshopper On a Thistle" My fabric choice from Haberman's was wonderful Capturing the Grasshopper neckline and wings on the jacket was so much fun. The belt recreated the beautiful pattern on his legs. The photographs of the grasshopper was a wonderful inspiration. But to be selected as Top 6, with Susan Khalje as a judge, was just awesome!
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Oct 08, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Link to photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21835955@N07/sets/72157631679139833/detail/
Ms. BB on craftsy.com
Ms. BB
Oct 09, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
BEAUTIFUL creations! Thank you for sharing the photos with me and also for the broach flower-making details. Love your imagination!
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Sep 30, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Everyone's comments are so very appreciated! A very sincere Thank you!, but most of all, to share with you my experiences and what I learned from the process. I just returned from the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan. I had been selected to participate as one of the 12 National Finalists, in the Passion For Fashion Design Challenge. What a wonderful experience! Our Mystery Challenge for this year was to design and make a Cocktail Dress inspired by a "Bug" for a VIP attending the opening of a "Bug" Exhibit at a Science Museum. My bug was a Grasshopper. I now have new appreciation for how beautiful they are. I had the amazing opportunity to meet Susan Khalje, as she served as one of the judges. I shared with her that dress included many techniques from the Couture Dress Class. In my design, one of my considerations was that a VIP at such an event would possibly be meeting attendees from various cultures, where covered shoulders would be most appropriate. She shared with me how much she appreciated such a consideration. I couldn't be more excited to have met her in person, at the reception following the Fashion Show, and to have been selected as one of the Top 6+ Finalists for my design inspired by a Grasshopper. If you ever get the chance to attend a Sewing Expo, please consider attending. The American Sewing Expo was totally awesome! Wonderful classes, Make and Take projects, Prizes and Vendors from across the country, featuring some of the best products for sewing, tailoring, embroidery, quilting, notions and of course some amazing sewing machines. Baby Lock was a Sponsor of the Passion For Fashion Challenge and provided the sewing machines - Baby Lock Symphony. Reliable provided the irons. Both our Baby Lock Machines and Reliable irons were wonderful products, that all of us recognized as key to us being able to make a complete garment ready for the Runway in two days, at the Expo!
irishagold on craftsy.com
irishagold
Sep 26, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Looks very beautiful! Did you take a course on outdoor clothes?
LJTaylo on craftsy.com
LJTaylo
Sep 17, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Your advice above is great. I love your coat. You should be very proud. This is a great class!
Linda74Sews on craftsy.com
Linda74Sews
Sep 16, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Prize worthy indeed! Stunning fabric and attention to detail inspiring.
Cutiemouse on craftsy.com
Cutiemouse
Sep 15, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
That looks great, beautiful work. :)
Screaming Mimi on craftsy.com
Screaming Mimi
Sep 13, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Well that is just fabulous! The award is well deserved...you did a beautiful job.
DonnaDeCourcy on craftsy.com
DonnaDeCourcy
Sep 13, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Such attention to detail, and patience in making sure you are satisfied is a good lesson for us all! You certainly deserve the award. Thanks for the tips and for sharing your work!
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Sep 13, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Thank you for comments, questions and letting me share with you my Lessons Learned. This class and project has been such a learning opportunity.
zinniz on craftsy.com
zinniz
Sep 12, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Did you weave the fabric too, or is it a purchased handwoven? It really turned out great! I love your flower accent too.
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Sep 13, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
I purchased (invested) in a handwoven fabric by Linda Kubik of Ritzville, WA while attending the Stitchery and Sewing Expo, in Pallyup, WA. She is such an artist! I shared with her that my intent was to use it to enter the Make It With Wool Contest. She shared with me that she is also a Sponsor for the contest and each year awards a fabric to the National Contestants.
tvjulie on craftsy.com
tvjulie
Sep 12, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Fantastic job! What pattern did you end up using?
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Sep 13, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
I cloned two Burda patterns: 8592 for the Jacket body and 7321 for the Keyhole neckline/collar.
Hopeful sewer on craftsy.com
Hopeful sewer
Sep 12, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
What did you finally end up using for the interfacing/underlining? It looks amazingly tidy.
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Sep 13, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
The underlining was Silk Organza from Nancy Erickson, Fashion Sewing Group and two different weights of sew in hair canvas. The most important technique was the Angel/Featherweight fusible for all seams from Professional Sewing Supplies at PO Box 14272, Seattle, WA. Once I showed Ms Nakaya my fabric, she offered the perfect solution. If by chance you get to attend the Stitch and Sewing Expo, in Pallyup, WA, it is worth every dollar in learning experiences and meeting with the best Professionals in the country!
Scheri Manson on craftsy.com
Scheri Manson
Sep 12, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Congratulations. Your coat is simply beautiful. Details, details what beautiful details. I can't wait to se the re-do of your blouse.
CCCouture on craftsy.com
CCCouture
Sep 13, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Yes, A Sewing Angel was looking out for me, as I one of my lovely gifts my Pendleton Woolens was a length of the exact same fabric! I didn't realize when selecting the blouse pattern, to think of the fullness in the arm area, and how it would affect the sleeve fit. I am actually glad for a re-do, but I still love the original blouse.

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