More Men’s Coat V8940 (and Adventures in Thedas)

I’m still working on V8940. The fronts have all their understructure and padstitching.  Which is a roundabout way of saying that everything I’ve done so far happens before Step 1 of the pattern.  I did mention I’m slow, right?

Given that it’s the later part  of winter here, I’m sewing toward next winter.

I referenced several books (listed in my last post  about the coat) while making decisions — (Ledbetter and Lansing’s is particularly good for choosing between methods) — but now that I’m sewing, referencing too many makes me muddled, so I’ve stuck to the very clear, one-method Cabrera book (even though I have the women’s version) and Poulin for adapting it to menswear.

I’d be further along if I hadn’t seen a dirt cheap copy of Dragon Age: Inquisition and played it through the end.  Now my favorite, easily surpassing Skyrim and Witcher III (for me at least — those are probably fighting words to many). So although I’m sewing every weekend, I took a few detours to Thedas. :/

Muslins for Men’s Coat V8940

I’m working on Vogue 8940, which is the first thing besides boxers I’ve made for my OH. After 2 1/2 test garments, I think I have the last fitting issue sorted, and am waiting for him to wake so I can pounce and (after his coffee; I’m not a monster) have him try it on yet again.

I’m not over-fitting; I’m just new to both menswear and coats. I definitely like the reduced stress of getting a muslin to the point where I’m happy with it before I cut fashion fabric.

Assuming all is well, I’ll move on to doing more with understructure than the pattern includes. I still have a couple of months before his birthday (by which time it will be cold here), but I’m pretty slow, so may be late…

Over the past couple of months I’ve referred to several books, including The Complete

Vogue 8815 Peplum Top

Vogue 8815 View A — Sleeveless peplum blouse with raised waist and back zipper. (Rated very easy, but was more difficult than my recent 8877 top, because I needed more alterations for fit this time.)

Pattern size 12 (my measurements match 14, but with the amount of ease they had 12 was definitely the better choice for me)

Fabrics: Lightweight, slightly sheer polyester chiffon. Bias binding is self made from lightweight cotton (following method on the seasoned homemaker).

Alterations:

Easy, Casual Knit Top (Vogue 8877)

Just in time for spring, I’ve made a cool weather shirt. That’s alright; we always have some damp, chilly weather again before Christmas. This was straight forward and super easy, so not a ton to say about it, but after the Craftsy cramming fest that was October Free Pass and then some back trouble, I’m glad to finish a project!

Vogue 8877 View C — Loose fitting, pullover top with dropped shoulders. So loose fitting, in fact, that since I was using knit, I made a small, despite the size chart indicating a medium, and still had plenty of room. In fact, I tapered the sleeves down to an extra small at the wrist.

Incredibly easy to make, and the instructions were fine.

Fabrics: Maggy London Fog City Gray medium weight ponte knit, and a lightweight looser weave knit endcut, both from Smuggler’s Daughter with discounts for the endcut and  having reviewed the shop at pr.