In the meantime, this has happened:
I mean, I live in Minnesota...I know it's coming...but I still get sad and depressed once it arrives. You know we don't warm up again until late April/early May. :sigh: I own 2 wool coats and a down coat.
Here's the other thing about us upper midwesterners; we are a hardy bunch!
"Cold" is 20 to 35 degrees F.
"Really cold" is 0 to 20 degrees F.
"This is stupid" is -10 to 0 degrees F.
"Why do I live here?" is below -10. Which last winter included some -25 days...
My down coat is for 'This is Stupid' and 'Why Do I Live Here' weather -- I have to save that warmth for when I really need it :)
So I planned on making a coat. I love LOVE love my Burda coat and in the wool boucle it's really warm for the 25 ish degree weather. But the neckline is wide and open and a scarf doesn't help very much. But it's TOO warm for 40 degree weather where the open neckline is less bothersome. Booooo!
At first I planned on Simplicity 2311
And I decided I really need a hood. And then the Leanne Marshall coat was released (S1254)
Then I decided I'd just make a Minoru. But it's not really meant to be a wool coat and I'm unsure about the bulk in certain areas. So I'm going to just quit being a brat and make the Leanne Marshall coat already.
Wait, did anyone else (I am being slightly facetious) notice that the Minoru has no pockets? What kind of foolishness!?!
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On the other side of the fence, I am trying to decide on Holiday party attire. My husband's work party is more casual. Not quite business casual, but not formal. It's kind of like a dressed-up happy hour; there's no meal served, just mingling, hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Our company party is more formal. A tuxedo or evening gown is sure to make an appearance. I AM FOR SURE MAKING SOMETHING FOR BOTH! For his, I will make a knit dress, probably B5950, view B.
For mine, I am completely, totally, utterly SMITTEN with the Burda cape dress from the November issue
But that highly gathered skirt is a no go. While waiting around for clients today, I did some photo-frankenpattern'ing and super imposed different skirts onto the bodice.
It kind of seems like it's only right with a long skirt. I also like option 3 but maybe if the bodice wasn't gathered??
Hey! I'm no artist!! :)
I can't figure out if that pleated skirt is too 'young' and if the long slightly gathered skirt would be better. I can't get that cape out of my head! It just seems so...right! :)
Sigh...I have 2 whole months to make a look for my company party. We shall see!
I like options 1, 4, and 5 the best for the holiday dress frankenpattern. There's a lot going on in the dress bodice (LOVE that bodice, BTW), so I think I'm gravitating towards the options that keep things fairly simple on the skirt portion.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right! I really liked #1 but then wondered if the skirt was too short. ack!
DeleteYes, I agree, and I gravitate towards number 1 the most.
DeleteI like those 3 best but considering what the weather will be like, I would opt for the longer one.
DeleteSorry to hear about your early snow! We're going to be getting your cold front in a day or two, but I think we're going to be lucky and miss the snow. I like that LeeAnn Marshall coat too, but I'm waiting for someone else to test the waters on the sizing, as the finished measurements look really small to me for a coat. Lekala has a super cute one with a hood that I'm also considering. That cape dress is going to be awesome, no matter which skirt you choose!
ReplyDeleteHope you DO miss out on the snow!
DeleteYES. I thought I was a little crazy. Like...okay...I need to cut a size 20 apparently. Unless I plan to wear this coat over a tank top and leggings! O_o
First - how much snow DID you get? I can handle the cold - well I can't really lol! - but if I had to choose I'd rather have the cold than the snow. Snow really f*cks up commuting - yeah I said that because there is no better word for it.
ReplyDeleteAs for your Holiday Party dress - I vote for View 5 (farthest to the right)! But that's just my opinion!
I think around 3-4 inches. It's snowing more and is supposed to be below freezing all week. Meh!
DeleteAnd, LOL!!!!! I am pretty close to work and my extended commute still usually comes in at under half an hour, but I hear you. I hear you!!!
I like that one too. Something about the length helps keep the 'drama' of the cape!
I just bought the Simplicity pattern and it looks pretty simple, although hood attachment looks a little complicated. Nothing to be scared of. I really want to make it but the sizing puts me off. I'd be a size 22 and it still seems a bit snug.
ReplyDeleteI also want to make Butterick 5966. I just wish it had a hood.
It is such a small amount of ease!!!!
DeleteI measured the coat that I have been wearing (which is slightly too tight); it has a 42" bust. Which is barely 3" of ease for me. Yowza!
So I should be fine going with the 20! At least I hope so. haha! I cut it out last night.
I LOVE that Butterick coat so much! It seems like there's not very much out there in the Big 4 for real outerwear with hoods. Lots of dress coats, not a lot of coat, coats.
Oh gawwwd! I send you my snowdolences. I grew up and lived most my life in the snowbelt in the Great Lakes region. Baltimore definitely has "real" winters but not as long, cold or severe but it's still disgusting to me.
ReplyDeleteI went and got that coat Leanne Marshall coat pattern yesterday. I love it. I need to make it.
And that cape-y flouncy dress... love it. When I was reviewing my ideas/options for my holiday/annual family photo dress, this was on my short list... but then I realized I wanted covered arms bc I am always cold in winter. That dress vaguely reminds me of a cape-ish dress I did for FM contest last yr... http://www.kathy-sews.com/2013/10/fabricista-fashion-challenge-6-plus.html. It has a *slight" aline with gathers.
Ooh I remember that dress!
DeleteYay! Do you have fabric for the coat picked out?
OMGoodness - how do you live there? Georgia gets too cold for me, can you imagine! All I've got to say is that I LOVE THAT LEANNE MARSHALL COAT! Love it!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! We are crazy people! It's 23 degrees right now which is pretty insane.
DeleteThe coat is fabulous. DD asked me to make one for her too! I told her maybe for spring :)
I feel like there are definitely pocket hacks out there for Minoru. Maybe Llladybird? I cannot imagine her making a coat without pockets, and she for sure made a Minoru. I think it would be nice in wool, maybe sizing up. If it sews up so nice in laminate (and it does) I think that wool wouldn't be too much bulkier in the seams, especially if you beat them down, press like crazy and grade them. However, that Leanne Marshall coat is super dreamy. So just make that.
ReplyDeleteThat caped Burda is crazy awesome! I really need to have/ make that. Also, yeah MN is cold. I'm literally there with you, cold.
Oh, yes, tons of people added pockets. I am just astonished that the jacket as drafted does not have pockets! Not even patch pockets!!
DeleteI have a coated linen that I might give it a go with that (for spring-hahaha) but I think it would be fun in this pink-magenta ish wool!
I am totally diving into the Leanne Marshall coat!!!
I know what you mean about the cold and winter. We lived in the Yukon Territory (Canada) which is next door to Alaska (if you are geographically challenged 8-D). Our normal winter temperature was -20C (-4F) and we usually got three to four weeks of -40C (-40F) or colder. And then of course there is the dark. I don't miss it.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of Minoru's made with pockets out there, including mine. I just eyeballed it and cut what looked like an appropriate size. Worked well. Also there are some Minoru's made from wool too. Check out my Pinterest board of Minoru's for inspiration.
http://www.pinterest.com/ellec/1-sewaholic-minoru-jacket/
I love that Leanne Marshall coat too, unfortunately Simplicity patterns aren't available in Canada anymore. Damn.
I think I prefer the frankenpatterned dress the furthest to the right.
Gosh the dark. That's a whole 'nother problem!
DeleteThanks for the Pinterest link! I've heard that about Simplicity and Canada. Just crazy :-/
First--THAT SNOW! Wow! I am such a weather wimp. We had a COLD winter last year, but by your definitions above, we only really froze our a$$es off for a total of five days (not even your coldest one, the one above that!). I really am in awe of all the upper midwesterners and Canadians. You all are a hardy bunch, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI decided that when I make the Minoru I will add pockets from a Kwik Sew pattern I bought this summer in the .99 sale they had at BMV. The coat pattern is a plus sized pattern only, but the pockets are perfect for the Minoru so I figured I could afford a $1 for great pockets. (They are the slanted type you find on the front of coats sometimes.)
I know you will look AWESOME in that Leanne Marshall coat, do make it!
I personally want you to send me your Burda coat. I love it so. I want to make one for me but I am such a slow sewer, lol.
Oh no. I lied. We had a total of five days in your third from the bottom category. See, weather wimps. If it goes below 0 'round here, schools will cancel!
DeleteOur lows at night will often dip into the teens in normal winters, but last winter we had a handful of days where the highs were in the single digits and teens. And I didn't leave the house.
I think I'm gonna swipe the pockets from M6531 http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6531-products-16313.php?page_id=96 (with the little flaps).
DeleteHahaha@ didn't leave the house! LOL!!!!
I am currently working on Simplicity 2311. I was pretty freaked out about tackling a coat, but once I got going, I realized it's really not that hard. It's going so well, I am planning to make the Leanne Marshall coat next. You are such a talented sewist, I think you would have no problem taking on a coat project. And Lord knows we need coats here in the tundra!
ReplyDeleteYou guys all convinced me to "just do it"! And I cut the pattern out last night!
DeleteI can't wait to see yours!
Wow, snow already. That Leann Marshall coat would come in so handy. I just have to make it myself.
ReplyDeleteSilly snow and below freezing weather.
DeleteI can't wait to see a bunch of different versions.
NOOOOOOOooo! SNOW! We have only had minor snow without accumulation. The temps here (Chicago) are supposed to drop significantly this week. I've already pulled out my marchmallow coat in preparation. UGH.
ReplyDeleteIt's coming Michelle! LOL!
DeleteMan I love that Burda dress. I rarely have an excuse to wear something like that, but you can be sure I saved it on Pinterest just in case!
ReplyDeleteI know, right!? It's so whimsical and pretty!
DeleteI really feel for you and your snow problem. yick! I love that cape dress as is but if you change it I agree long dress only unless you switch up the bodice.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to lean towards 'must be long' too!
DeleteWhen I first looked at your pic, I thought it was a damaged pic. Until I started reading your post and you said that it was snow. Wow! As for your dress choice, I think option 1 or option 5 are cute.
ReplyDeleteHahaha!
DeleteI am leaning towards 5 too.
Anything under 30 deg F is freakin' arctic. It's actually been colder in Michigan than at the North Pole. o_O Like you, I have an insanely warm down coat saved for the "why do I live here" weather. When the forecast states that the temp will reach a high of -10, I can't be fooling with a cute coat!
ReplyDeleteI think I am the only one who's 'meh' about the Leanne Marshall coat.
As for the dress, I like option 5 the most. All of the drama is in the bodice, so the skirt should be plain. It looks as if the bodice has a side-seam zipper so keep that in mind when you choose your skirt. I think option 4 is too much and option 3 looks kinda twee.
But L!!! It's such a pretty coat!!! :)
DeleteSee. You know what I'm talking about. You can't be using the big guns until it's *TIME*!
Agreed. Twee...that's the word that was missing. It's not 'grown-up' enough!
I can totally sympathasize with all the coats needed. I live on the Canadian Border in upstate NY. We usually get a few nights each winter in the 35-45 below category. But most of the time we can go weeks without going above zero so any attempt at fashion HAS TO BE WARM. You can never have too many coats up here and need them for all the variations in the weather.
ReplyDeleteMy fave is the cape dress with the pleated skirt. I think it would give a nice hourglass look.
Exactly. You need so many different coats! Down coats, coats that are more waterproof. Hooded coats. Long coats. ALL THE COATS!
DeleteI'm always down for appearing more hourglass-y! :)
oh Natasha I so love your blog. I have to check it daily just to see what you come up with. I am so glad you are doing the Leann Marshall coat because I snagged that pattern too as soon as I saw it. Cant wait to see what you inspire us with next girl. If I can only be as good as you are. Love your work!
ReplyDeleteI'm staying here - I remember snow and the cold as a child in England, and I think I would rather the heatwaves of summer in OZ. I do not envy you the shovelling of snow, the driving conditions, chains on tires or any of that stuff. Even wearing heavy coats gets tedious!
ReplyDeleteMake the Leanne Marshall - it looks great - a hood is just really a big oversized sort of collar that goes over your head :). I get cold feet though as well, with some projects. Just jump in, muslin first the bits you are not sure about.
The other night as I went to bed I checked weather.com to see tmw's weather and it said "it's currently snowing in your (my) area" and I was like WHAT? I didn't look outside til the morning. It was a tiny dusting here and there not like what you got.
ReplyDeleteI like option 3 but without the pleats. Like an A-line skirt with darts, no pleats.
ZOMG that there will be ballgowns at your WORK Christmas party!!!
I think I might have B5950...or something similar. I want to sew that one up!
p.s. I'm sure you will WERQ that dress at your WORK party.
DeleteSometimes I am so corny....
HAHAHAHA! Corny is the best way to be! :)
DeleteYESSSSS. There will be formalwear! We always have it at some high faultin' venue and I think we all secretly love having a reason to dress up!
We have more snow. It's never going away.