Pattern Info
Instructions
Follow every step of the pattern instructions. I sewed together about 8 inches of the back center vent and added a center back belt loop. One could also add a button and button hole to back center rain flap.Difficulty:
Category: Sewing
Type of item: Clothing
For: Women
Style: Classic
Materials
Lightweight "Outerwear" twill
What was your inspiration?
When this pattern first came out in the Silhouette Pattern line, I thought it looked very stylish and I immediately wanted to try it. Finding the right fabric was tricky though. Finally I saw some pretty red "outerwear" fabric at my local Hancock Fabrics store and said, 'okay' this is it. FYI, Linda MacPhee's website also has an excellent selection of great raincoat fabric in several colors too. Peggy Sagers of Silhouette patterns is also a great inspiration for me. I've taken several of her classes at sewing expos and she has a way of making even the newest of sewers feel like they can actually make something that is stylish and fits well. So I jumped in and gave this pattern a try. It's now one of my favorite items of clothing and I plan to make it out of khaki and navy blue next.
What are you most proud of?
The fit and the fact that is doesn't look home made. It also has an unusual lining fabric which you can't see but it's this wild, red and black rayon print that I had on hand. It's kind of like this secret only I know is there when I wear it. Also, years before, I would have never considered using a print instead of plain old standard lining fabric but maybe I'm getting more adventurous now!
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
As I said above. it may seem very obvious, but follow every step of the pattern instructions meticulously and in order of construction. I tend to wing it or get impatient, forging ahead and skipping the suggested order of sewing things; but it really is much better to go step by step as the sewing guide indicates, less headaches that way. Also VERY IMPORTANT: what I've learned from Peggy Sagers over the years is to measure your favorite ready-to-wear garments for things like sleeve circumference, shoulder width, length, etc.. then, taking seam allowances into account, transfer those fit numbers onto your pattern, making adjustments as needed. Peggy's patterns are made for real women not fit models, Things I sew with her patterns tend to fit better as a result. Don't just go by body measurements alone. These numbers can be somewhat deceptive when it comes to the ease and fit you like.
** A word about buckles: While I used metal, double ring buckles for my trench, I would recommend looking for plastic buckles for your project. Although I like the look of the metal, double ring buckles, I find they are quite heavy, not such an issue for the sleeves, but when you tie the belt in a knot, allowing the buckle to hang down freely such as is the current fashion trend, the metal buckle clangs into everything around it, kind of like an unintentional weapon at times. I'm going with faux, tortoise shell plastic from here on in! LOL!
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