Hi Everyone
I just returned from visiting my home state of NJ. Of course, I went shopping and drooled over the beautiful embellished jackets in many stores. Problem is, I live in sunny Fla, where the temp rarely drops low enough to even consider all that weight!
Anyone have a favorite pattern with embellishment possibilities, and a good fabric source? (I’m definitely not into “cutesy crafty” cottons.
Thanks
I
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you could use tissue lame for a jacket and silk organza ribbon etc to embellish for a lightweight warm-weather garment
You can use colored organza and other sheers for the jacket and put in a bit of solid fabric as a blind for underfacings and to back embroideries. The organza will usually support small pearls or beads on its own. A decorative thread put in by hand can be part of the design. Nordstrom's featured some jackets like this, this summer.
I just discovered the "Bog Coat" it can be done in silks, linen, and other lightweight fabrics. Go to http://www.thequilterscommunity.com and you can get a free pattern/instructions for making it. It could be a lounge coat or oriental coat - whatever. I'm going to make a wool one because I live in the "Windy City" Chgo, IL and it gets really cold here.
I should also give credit to Meg on our discussion group for informing me about the "Bog Coat", if not for her I would have never known about it. So please thank "Meg".
Edited 9/27/2007 1:28 pm ET by rodezzy
In thequilterscommunity.com, what further did you click on to find the bog coat? I couldn't find it on thequilters community, after clicking on everything. When I googled bog coat, I got dog coats! I have made bog coats in the past, but I wanted to see your pattern, anyway, for maybe more inspiration.
Gloria
Hi Gloria: I put a "s" behind quilter - its http://www.thequiltercommunity.com .
Thanks muchly! Yes, that's the same coat I made. I learned about the coat at a window coverings workshop years ago. At the end of the workshop, the instructor showed us how to make it out of a blanket & showed us how to cut it (we used a piece of paper folded, then cut the paper - very basic) & that's all she said about it just as she was leaving. I made mine out of a Velux blanket (bad choice of blanket, as I didn't know it had a foam core). I appliqued the front shoulders & across the back shoulders & the pockets, & put a zipper down the front & added a turtleneck collar. I lined the coat with Thinsulate & cotton - warmest coat I ever owned & it was washable, but the edges wore down to the foam core in 3 winters! I'll make my next one out of fleece, I think.
Gloria
Sounds great. I should be doing some sewing this week. I had a busy weekend. But your bog coat sounds great. And isn't fleece just the most wonderful fabric for coats? I love a good fleece. My only problem is that I don't like plain fleece, I love the printed ones, and they usually have more stuff for children than adults. I lucked out on the Black and White coat and the Red Dragon print coat I made. There are pictures in the photo gallery of this forum under coats made last year. I'm looking for another great print that is grown up and not too forest oriented. (smile)
Your coats are fantastic - it's amazing all the stuff you made in the past year! - you're turning into Superwoman!! Good for you! You're right - most of the adult fleece printed fabrics are forest oriented (deer, bears, moose, etc., which I don't like, either). I was able to get a nice heavy fleece, though, that is black with a border print of white, bare trees & a white moon along one side & small white stars on the other that should work really well for a bog coat. Guess it is a bit forest oriented, but at least it doesn't have wildlife :).
By the way, on your other thread, I was able to get the Crochet Squared book from the library on Saturday - what a book! Now I feel inspired to dig into my 2 large garbage bags of yarn & see what I can do. Also, as I was telling Cherrypops in another thread, I found my old (1970s) condo sweater patterns last week, so I have those to work on, too, plus my Christmas projects. Now, if I could only not spend so much time reading these threads & get some work done . . . :)
Gloria
Thanks for your kind words, I just got back from JoAnn Fabrics near my place of employment and the blizzard fleece (printed fleece) was 50% of. I was able to get a plaid the mimicks Burberry plaid. It's a cream background, black lines, with a dark cream and wine block pattern. It's great. I'm going to make a coat out of that. I'll decide tonite when I go home which coat to make after I look through my patterns. I have lots of patterns for fleece jackets and coats. I may make another jacket w/hood and zipper front.
I also practiced and made my first knitted cable piece last night. I bought the super chunky yarn to make a cabled handbag at JoAnn's today too. Got the pattern out of http://www.Knittingpatterncentral.com
Had fun shopping. 4 yards of fleece was only $19.99 and the chunky yarn was 5.99 per skein. Yahoo!
You did really well on the fleece price-wise. Even when ours is on sale, it's never less than about $10 a meter for the better quality coat-weight fleece. The regular price of heavier fleece is between $15-20 a meter. The price on your yarn is the same as ours. I've been meaning to try the cable stitch for quite awhile - I think it's easier than it looks, eh? (You must be lucky enough to have lots of closet space for all of your coats - or do you give many of them away)? Happy sewing & knitting!
Gloria
Well, actually I don't really have the proper storage for them right now. I've been lying them neatly on top of large storage containers between a sheet in my "storage/bedroom" (giggle). My apt is a one bedroom apt. I use the bedroom as a storage room. I down sized from a house five years ago. My livingroom is transformed into the big bedroom I've always wanted with ceiling to floor curtains I made to showcase my new bed. Several sets of curtain in fact. To change for the seasons. I've only given away one.
My formal dining room is my formal studio for all things sewn and crafted. I have a small kitchen which I use mostly for microwaving something to eat. I cook occasionally. I rather knit than cook. (giggle)
I tried to knit that cabled purse last night, but my cable needle is too small for the chunky yarn and I kept dropping stitches. JoAnn's cable needles were all sold out. So, until I find a large cable needle I'll have to wait. I remember a program about cabling without a cable needle, but I don't remember how. I'm using size US 15 straight knitting needles and probably a size 9 cable needle.
I got so frustrated that I picked up around my apt (two rooms) and then selected my coat pattern for the fleece and stuck it in my bag so I can go get the zipper. I decided to use the same pattern I used to make the red jacket in my pics w/the hood.
Edited 10/3/2007 12:06 pm ET by rodezzy
Your apt. sound like it's exactly like what you've always wanted, but how do you entertain?
As for the cable needles, you could use shorter, double-ended knitting needles to set aside your cable stitches in the meantime until you find the right ones, or thread holders (which are like very large safety pins).
Good luck on the jacket, Fiber Artist!
Gloria
I don't really entertain.....entertain. My grands, my son and my friends that visit are all used to my lifestyle and eat, sing and be merry there. I have a minimal family and spend time with other friends at locations in the city and suburbs of Chicago. There are so many wonderful places to go, who wants to stay in the house? I'd rather explore a new location with a great friend. When I'm home I want to be creative or be lazy. I'm always on the go, so I'm not missing a thing. City people don't really entertain at home much. I've known people here for years and never been to their living spaces. It's just how it is, so my apt suits city life well. I love it.
When I went to JoAnn's Fabrics today and bought more fleece, I wondered in the yarn and supplies section to check for cable needles. There still were none, but I met a very young man there who discussed the situation with me. He told me that I could use a third straight needle to hold out the required stitches. Then after knitting the following required stitches I could simply slip the back stitches back on my left needle and knit on down the row as needed. And after further discussion, I came up with using a crochet hook the size of my size US15 needles to hold the stitches and using the method he offered me and then I won't have to buy more size 15 needles to accomplish my goals. I can't wait to get home and try it out. I'll let you know how it worked.
Yes, I've used a regular knitting needle when I was practising the cable - it works. Good luck with your bag.
Gloria
Well, Gloria - I failed to accomplish my knitting goals last night, I was very disappointed with it. I got all the way through the first cable twist which is the fourth row, I then knitted the knits, purled the purls, repeated the row 4 cable twist, that starts row 12 and when I started row 13 I discovered something was wrong at the end of the row with the stitch pattern and couldn't figure it out.
So.....I ripped it all out, wound the yarn back on the ball and put it all away (panting furiously and disappointedly). I just want to make a small purse! So today I will break down and buy the size US15 bamboo needles. No pain-no gain, I don't like the aluminum needles I'm working on anyway. I believe they are the biggest of my problem with the whole project.
So....I called my bestest friend and craft buddy Sandra and asked to come over. It was almost 8:00 p.m and not really too late. She excitedly said "Come On" I have so much to show you that I've made. She had made these beautiful crocheted ponchos and shawls, one made from a collection of black & white yarns , one in hues of red, one lime greens, there was one in a variety of reds, just delicious!!!! Full of all kinds of novelty yarns mixed in. I modeled them and danced around her living room floor in the entry mirror. They were just fantastic. She's the one that loaned me that book and got me started on my coats. Great Friend - Sandra. She also showed me some tops she copied and made a pattern from of her favorite top. Then some bags she made from thrift store large sized jeans she only paid $2.00 for and then we sat down and crocheted together and made some other plans. Her husband had cooked dinner and we had a quick bite together and I went home at about 10:45 p.m.
I felt happier and encouraged. Started knitting a triangle poncho before retiring for the night.
Edited 10/4/2007 11:19 am ET by rodezzy
You busy, busy girl! Too bad about all the work you put into the cable bag, then having to rip it out - there could be a mistake in the pattern. You will overcome it all & go on to knit that fabulous cable sweater (it looks like it's completely cables)! Wow! A lot of work involved!
I'm not crazy about aluminum needles, either. I just bought my first bamboo pair recently (because they were half price) & I like them. Most of my others are all plastic & they are OK - I like their flexibility, as I tend to put the ends of the long ones towards my armpits when I'm knitting, but I still like the convenience & quickness of crocheting.
You are so incredibly lucky to have such a friend who is interested in the same stuff you are - you definitely inspire each other. Sounds like you had a lovely evening.
Gloria
Actually the pattern is fine, I did a sample swatch in worsted weight yarn first. I didn't post this picture because I thought it was dark and you could not see the cables clear and I was going to post the final item in the recommended yarn as a finished purse, but see what you think.
The cables look really good & even! If it is going to be a bag, maybe you should use thicker yarn (I realize this was just a practice piece). Couldn't you just keep going on the swatch until you have the right size, then bind off & finish it as you'd planned? How did the mistake alter the pattern?
BTW, do you subscribe to the http://www.lionbrand.com newsletter (I realize you are supposed to be working :), not trolling this site :) - but they have free patterns there & new crochet & knitting stitches in every newsletter. They have today a free pattern from Vogue Knitting's 25th anniversary edition for a basketweave cape that you might be interested in making.
Gloria
Yes, I do subscribe and I have printed that pattern out. Fortunately, I've cleared my desk of work already. I have some down time.
I bought the prescribed super chunky weight yarn for the purse Tuesday. And the difference is clear. It is not as lacy as the worsted weight yarn. Its looks wayyyyyy better in the super chunky yarn and that's what I bought. Here's the pattern.
Twin Cable Purse
by Tricky Stix & Ashleigh Lynch
_View Image_______________________________________________________________
Materials
One Skein Burly Spun Brown Sheep or two skeins Blue Sky Bulky Alpaca
Size 15 needles (straight or circular) purse is knit in one piece and folded
One Large Cable Needle (Note from Rodezzy: This is what I don't have)
One Row Counter
________________________________________________________________
Cast on 38 stitches
Row 1 - k2, p2, k4, p6, k4, p2, k4, p6, k4, p2, k2
Row 2 & 3 - knit the knits and purl the purls
Row 4 - p2, k2, p4, hold the next 3 knit stitches on the cable needle to the back, knit the next 3 stitches, knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle, p4, k2, p4- hold the next 3 stitches on the cable needle to the front, knit the next 3 stitches, knit the 3 stitches on the cable needle, p4, k2, p2.
Row 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11- knit the knits and purl the purls
Row 12- repeat row 4
Rows 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19- Knit the knits, purl the purls
Row 20- Repeat row 4
Rows 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27- Knit the knits, purl the purls
Row 28- Repeat row 4
Rows 29, 30, 31,- knit the knits, purl the purls
Bind off 38 stitches. Fold and whip stitch handles to bag.
No wonder you don't have a computer at home, especially when you can get all your work done & use theirs. When I worked, I could NEVER get all my work done - I even had to take it home & work on it evenings & weekends. I was overjoyed to retire!
The pattern is quite easy & looks great. It will make a great gift. What will you line it with? Will you put the same type of handles on as in the photo? Thanks so much for sending the pattern. Have a great weekend!
Gloria
You're welcome.
Yea, I've been with this company for 23 1/2 years now, and in the first 15 years or more I worked constantly. I was transferred to this location in 1997 and was working up a storm at first. The computer has taken a lot of the paper work off the desk, that's why its slow now. I have busy spurts, it's o.k. I'm not complaining. I love my job. I've worked hard all my life, this is my reward I feel.
I will line it with something in my fabric stash, I have loads of options for lining. Haven't given any thought to the handles neither. Obsessing over getting the fabric knitted now. Once I get that done I'll obsess over the rest (he he). I bought more needles today to work the pattern with. I want to make my grand some bedroom curtains and twin size quilt this weekend. If I am diligent, I will do the bedroom stuff on Sat. and try the bag again on Sun. As usual, I will use simple construction and let the fabric work its magic. I have some home dec fabric I purchased for 90% and 95% off when JoAnn Fabric closed down it's smaller stores and moved to their super sized new stores. I caught fabrics from 14.99 - 20.99 at ridiculous prices. Made simple bedspreads for myself and kids in the family.
Have a good weekend yourself.
Sounds like you have the dream job - good for you!
Will you make the purse a bit bigger than the one pictured? (Everyone I see who has smaller purses have them so stuffed that they can't close them properly. Then they still carry 2 bags of stuff with them every day - I've always wondered what they carry in those 2 full bags every single day to & from work, but, of course, I was too polite to ask). The last year I worked, I decided to make myself a large enough bag (as all the ones I'd bought that I thought were large enough weren't) - so I could carry my lunch, book or crocheting, shoes in the winter, umbrella in the summer) - it ended up being a tote bag, closed with velcro, with an inner pocket that also had a velcro closing & an outside appliqued pocket for my bus pass, also with a velcro closure. Finally, I was happy with my "purse".
Be sure to post a picture of the quilt you'll make tomorrow. Happy sewing!
Gloria
Yes, it is a dream job.
No, I don't want it any bigger, I don't over due "special" bags. This will not be a work bag, it will be for other excursions. I will only put in a few necessities for that outing. I'm don't like carrying heavy bags, but I do carry two bags to work sometimes. One tote with my files folders, I type the newsletter for my quilting guild. Appt. book, phone book, misc. The other I don't carry every day, only when I have crochet/knitting projects I want to work on.
Inside the tote I have a small purse with the essentials i.e. money, visa, keys, lip balm, gloss, phone, ear piece for phone, nail file, breath mints and tweezers. A couple pens and a few sticky notes to write on if needed.
Yes, I will certainly take pics.
Yes, we do use different bags for different occasions. Your inside purse with all your essentials (perfectly organized) is the most convenient way of switching bags. You are SUCH an organized person!
Gloria
Just a little tidbit to add to your discussion...there was a nice article on making bog coats in Threads #87 pgs 36-40. Easy breezy....they could be made with embroidered organzas or cotton voiles for warm weather climates. Light weight silks would be wonderful and would "breathe". Any kind of hand embellishment would be lovely on these fabrics as well.
I tried this site but had the same experience as one of the other sewists, I got "dog coats" when I "searched. When I tried going through the " free patterns" directly I was introduced to a 'survey" that would only allow access if I gave up virtually all personal information and rights to my computer. Anyway, I found the Threads article in vol 87. Do you know how the Quilter's bog coat compares to the Threads directions? Thanks. Zuwena
Hi Z,
Try this link, it worked for me, i hope it works for you...
http://www.thequiltercommunity.com/Wc9fdd2ab63c36.htm
there are lot of sites. search bog coat on http://www.google.com.au
cheers CherryP
thanks. I shall try the au version of google. Z
I noticed today, Rodezzy had copied and pasted the page to you in the message afterward...
Keep the link anyway for reference.
Also if you do an image search on google au for bogcoats you will find plenty more.
Thanks Cherrypops. I did as you said. I did not know it was possible to access Google Au. Everyday is a learning experience. Z
you are welcome.
i always use that search engine. there are many others...but don't want to confuse you...this i find is good, either look at sites from the whole world (the web) or just australian sites. when you click on 'more' at the very top it gives you other choices.
have a poke around and see what you can find.
Here is what I've copied from one of the sites:
Houston Bog Coat Challenge
posted: 8/5/2003
by Cheryl Moncrief
Printable Page
Category: Specialty
Method: All
<-- Go to Article Listing
View several of the Bog Coats resulting from this Challenge
In my Quilt Guild of Greater Houston Wearable Arts Bee, we have a yearly challenge, and we had a Bog Coat challenge a couple years ago. Our group was started in the late 1970's, when it was still innovative to "wear" your quilts. We have about 25 members, and meet once a month. Our favorite part of the meeting is usually show and tell. We have a wonderful sharing community. We have workshops occasionally, and take "field trips" to quilt shops and sometimes do programs of a wearable show for other groups. Some of our other challenges have included: the "ugly" fabric challenge, pattern challenges, a chosen fabric(s) challenge, a black and white challenge, and a challenge to use both leather and a conversation print in a garment.View Image
A Bog Coat is simply a rectangular piece of cloth that, by using a couple of specifically placed slashes, or cuts, becomes a garment. This type of garment may well have been among the very first garments ever worn. The thinking is that various cultures made this type of garment from animal skins before cloth was developed. Apparently, the first of these was discovered in a bog; hence the name.
I like to make this type of garment because it is a pattern-less project that can be made to fit any size, whether I sew for small children or adults. There is only one seam, and it can be thought of as a whole cloth quilt. Bog Coats are extremely versatile; they can be made in almost any fabric, for almost any occasion, and for nearly all climates. But the main reason is that design possibilities are endless!
Directions and Pattern for making your own Bog Coat.
To design your own bog coat, I recommend using a paper template of the coat (not to scale, of course!). Mark the cutting and folding lines, as well as the neck area, so that when you sketch you will be able to work on placement for your art.
Start with a goal: What would you like to do? A stitching technique? Fabric manipulation? A texture? Do you like to work with contrasts? What about balance or symmetry? Or do you have wonderful fabric to showcase? Do you like piecing? Do you want to design for a certain purpose (casual, dressy) All of these are possibilities: remember not to use every idea in one project!
©2003 Cheryl Moncriefhttp://www.qggh.org http://www.thequiltercommunity.com
Edited 10/10/2007 10:40 am ET by rodezzy
Hi,
Thanks for this.
I posted The website link above. Glad I got the right one.
Cp
thank you so much. Your bog coat (as pictured) is so much more fashionable and fitted than the ones illustrated in the Threads article. I shall copy this for the future and hopefully make it my challenge for the winter. Much appreciation. Z
You are welcomed, I didn't make that bog coat though, I haven't made one yet. I just researched and found the information. I just recently heard of it myself here at the Threads discussion.
I will be making one in a couple weeks.
Thanks so much for this type of Picture Attachment. I don't know how you do it. I am a bit technically challenged and sometimes I have problems opening the attachments of following the links. This way is GREAT! Thanks again, Gail
You are so welcomed. I just hope I haven't broken any house rules with Threads. I don't think so, I read them all and don't think I did.
But - enjoy.
For warm weather, I often use linen or cotton for unlined vests and jackets, using metallic fabric paints or sheers for appliques. I find motifs in online clipart or photos, and do outlining in subtle colors and shades. I favor leaf or abstract designs, usually on the left lapel or chest area, but sometimes on the collars, cuffs, center front, or hems. I have also done small areas of beading/sequining on floral cotton skirts or shirts.I got started on this type of embellishing while trying to 1) cover up impossible stains from white-out/ink and 2) hide fabric flaws or awkwardly located motifs on otherwise nice garments, and 3) to complete a garment that I didn't have enough fabric for. Sometimes, I get the biggest compliments about something that is there only because something major went wrong first!
Hi Everyone
I'm so happy to hear from all of you. I sometimes feel like I'm the only one here in Tampa Bay with an interest in garment sewing. I've made most of my own clothes for many years. We have very few fabric stores left here, and most have gone the quilting route. I have nothing against quilters, but one does get tired of seeing cutesy animal prints. I shop on-line sometimes, but as you all probably know, that can be a gamble. On one of my trips home to NJ, did a trip to NY garment district, and on the way back had to buy a suitcase!
Jeanne
I think we all feel like you Jeanne. I face the same problem in that I only know quilters that sew. I even joined a contemporary "bee" so I would have friends that understand the joy of fabric and sewing. I make occasional theme quilts as gifts but my real love is garment sewing especially using antique Chinese silks. I always take garments to our meetings and they ooh and ahh.
This discussion group helps keep us all sane as we share our mainly solitare hobby. I'm grateful we have it!!!
Karen
I have to agree with you on this being a solitary hobby! It seems that everyone that I know does no needlework of any kind nor do they sew (nor do they read much, either, which I do voraciously) - what a bummer! These threads keep me sane, too - a whole sympathetic & empathetic community. Yay!!
Gloria
Hi Jeanne!
I saw your message on Gatherings and saw you're in Tampa Bay . . . You may be interested to know that Convergence 2008 will be held in Tampa Bay the end of next June . . . Convergence is the semi-annual conference sponsored by the Handweavers Guild of America (HGA) . . . There will be a number of exhibits, including the fashion show exhibit that has any BUT cutesy wearable art garments.
If you're interested in learning more, you can find out more by clicking the linkl below.
http://www.weavespindye.org/
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