Friends, do you remember this lovely vintage Samsonite vanity case? Well this morning I walked into the living room and --
Kind and gentle readers, judge not lest ye be judged. I just couldn't say no to $20 with free shipping. Anyway, things go better in pairs -- candlesticks, end tables...candlesticks!
To say we have fewer sewing machines at our house but more vintage luggage is to state the obvious. Rest assured, however, I have put the kabash on eBay purchases for the rest of the month, by which time the Yuletide urge to "Buy it Now" will have passed I hope.
Meanwhile, back in toggle-coat land...
I did what many of you told me to do: I took an inch out of the front right and left width, and an inch out of both sides of the center back fold; four inches total. I think it worked.
Now I'm just wondering: what's the best way to redraw the shoulder seams (which I'll have to reproduce for the front and back yokes)?
If you can picture folding an inch out of a pattern piece with a diagonal edge, the diagonal line is broken and must be redrawn. I know I could consult one of my many books on fitting, but I thought I'd ask you first.
You were also correct that shortening the coat immediately made it look less tent-like. And I fitted it with a heavy sweater underneath, most likely the bulkiest thing I'll be wearing under it.
So here's where we stand today.
1. Original muslin:
2. Muslin with 4" ease removed:
3. Latest version: new sporty length!
Guys, I think I'll be ready to start as soon as I figure out how to re-trace the shoulder seams precisely. I hope you like it; I do.
I toyed with the idea of using a different pattern altogether -- especially when I noticed the side seams weren't coming out beneath my arms but behind them (panic), but then last night I spied a guy wearing a toggle coat just like this one and I realized that's how the coat is designed -- the side seams are meant to be just behind the arm to accommodate the big front patch pockets. The coat was very cute -- at least on him -- all boxy and rectangular, and I'm just going to go for it. The stakes are not that high, good wool or no good wool, right?
Finally friends, I was a little disappointed that among yesterday's many comments, not one person mentioned Darlene Gillespie -- the real Darlene Gillespie. Not a single Ah, yes, Darlene Gillespie or I remember pretty Darlene Gillespie or How lovely to be reminded of Darlene Gillespie! I just hope Darlene Gillespie isn't a Male Pattern Boldness reader and if she is, I remember you, Darlene! You'll always be tops in my book even if you were convicted of mail fraud. To err is human.
Have a happy day, everybody, and go easy on the eBay shopping!
Toggle coat = good to go?
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