Christmas Tree Ornament

Christmas red... It is just classic. I think, a red coat should be present in my wardrobe. I would love to, but things does not always work that well...

I can not take credit for the idea of this Christmas-tree-red-coat ornament. I saw it online in Alicia Paulson's collection, and immediately fell in love with it. I love the contrasting stitching. I added a velveteen ribbon and a small heart detail on the front of the coat for warmer feel.

This is how to make your own:

Materials:

2 red felt squares

1 cream felt square

velveteen ribbon

3 smal metal buttons

red DMC embroidery thread

cream DMC embroidery thread

fibre fill

26 gauge wire for the hanger

Instructions: 

1. Make a paper pattern first for all the details - back, two fronts, pockets, mittens and collar.

2. Use a blanket stitch to connect the two front pieces together.

3. Attach the pockets with a contrasting colour.

4. Sew the buttons. Make the heart detail.

5. Using a blanket stitch, attach the front and back. Before completely closing the sleeves, add a tiny bit of fibre fill to give them some shape.

6. Slip stitch the velveteen cuffs and the belt.

7. Attach the collar with a blanket stitch.

8. Decorate the mittens and blanket stitch the front and back sides together. Attach them to the cuffs. 

9. Very gently fill the coat with fibre fill.

I made a hanger out of a 26 gauge wire. It was a nice challenge and completed the nice elegant look of the coat.

Coat "Princess"

To my barefooted beautiful princess... who sometimes asks me why she is a tomboy...

This is the first coat I have ever made. I used a nice woollen fabric for the body, plus warm lining.  For the collar, piped edges and to cover the buttons a contrasting velveteen came into the game. The pattern calls for fusible interfacing. I used non fusible one. 

The pattern:

I enjoyed working on the coat, added small details and missed few night hours of sleep over it.

I topstitched the buttonholes, using a jute cording. The result is not what I wished for. I could not find the button gimp and did not have time to make one myself out of a silk thread. The buttonhole looks nice, but when in use, the hand stitches spread slightly and the cord is showing. Also, the jute cord has its own opinion, it curves wherever it finds it comfortable. At least it protects the buttonhole from stretching.  For my next hand tailored buttonholes I will find gimp in advance.

The only one blue stitched buttonhole is for fun and crazy. When a baby is born, in my country, we tie a red or blue thread on their tiny wrists. It is a superstitious believe that the colour keeps one from bad eyes. I am in no way superstitious, but just honouring Ana's day of birth with this blue buttonhole.

In Ana's head there is constantly music sounding - no matter what kind. She loves playing. Moreover - she will wear the coat at her performances ... only. After all, she really is a tomboy. Her love for music is well noted.

 Fly, my beautiful bird, be happy and in good health! God bless you!

<3,

mom