The scrap bin in my stitching room was getting out of hand. I save the small bits and items leftover from my stitching creations in a plastic tote…after which in the future the lid would not shut anymore. Too many scraps! So, with the boldness that got here from the Bob Quam shirt, I made a decision to sort out some scrappy patchwork for myself. And the Technicolor Celebration Coat was born!
| Taking within the view on the Pintler Scenic Loop. 4/30/2023 |
Whereas the Bob Quam shirt took nearly a 12 months to finish, the Technicolor Celebration Coat got here collectively in beneath two months. As soon as began, I shortly received absorbed within the course of. It was terribly enjoyable to pick and minimize the pieces– after which determine how you can match them collectively. This time I used the Stitch-and-Flip technique by which the scrap items are mounted onto a base layer. Because of this, the coat is totally lined and quilted on the within. I believe this was a very swell thought.
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| The back and front items previous to being stitched collectively on the sides and shoulders. 4/3/2023 |
The pace of the undertaking can be attributed to the truth that I gave myself a deadline. Matt and I have been going to embark on “Useless Week” on the finish of April– attending 5 Grateful Useless tribute exhibits from two wonderful bands in 5 totally different cities over the span of eight days. It wasn’t my intention once I started the patchwork coat–I hoped to have it finished by Hillberry in October— however I quickly determined that Useless Week was a worthy debut for such a colourful, loopy coat. Ending the jacket in time for the primary present grew to become my objective.
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| Modeling the jacket in a near-finished state. I hadn’t added the pockets or button but. I wasn’t positive I used to be going to and wished to offer it a trial run first. 4/20/2023 |
The Technicolor Celebration Coat consists of a number of stitching patterns that I am acquainted with all cobbled collectively. The majority of it’s primarily based on the McCalls M6044 pattern I have been utilizing to make Matt’s shirts. I added about two toes in size in order that it will hit me beneath the knee. I added 1.5 inches in width to the collar to make it slightly groovier. There is just one button.
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| I discovered this button in my stash. Undecided the place it got here from, however it appeared excellent for the job. 5/4/2023 |
I used a modified model of the cuff from the McCalls 8024 batwing pattern. I wasn’t positive it will work as a result of the batwing sample is designed for stretch knits and all this cotton patchwork looks like, principally, the alternative of that. BUT! It did! I fairly just like the three-quarters-length sleeves. My mother gave me useful recommendation for that half since she was visiting for Easter.
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| A better take a look at the cuff of the sleeve. 5/4/2023 |
Including the pockets was essentially the most difficult half…principally as a result of it ought to have been considered one of my first steps, seems, and I did not think about it till the entire thing was practically completed. Ooopsy-daisy. Good to know for subsequent time! After nice deliberation, I went with in-seam pockets. Simple sufficient! To complicate issues although, I wished no less than one of many pockets to zip*. I would by no means made an in-seam pocket with a zipper earlier than. The top consequence works–my telephone has a safe place as I bounce across the dancefloor–but it is not set completely. It bothers me that the zipper does not completely lay flat, however Matt says it’s a kind of issues that nobody else would possible discover. Particularly given how busy the coat is, he is in all probability proper. I’d take ’em out and take a look at once more although. Apply makes excellent.
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| Taking within the view on the Pintler Scenic Loop. 4/30/2023 |
The brilliant colours and patterns of the materials make me pleased. All of the extra once I think about how they characterize my stitching historical past. There are materials from my very first tasks in there. Particularly the hen material from the Mondo Bag my mother principally strong-armed me into making at considered one of my earliest stitching retreats. Bless her for understanding me higher than I do know myself generally. I really like that bag and use it frequently to at the present time. Remnants from the one quilt I made are included. My most up-to-date tasks are represented, too–namely the intense, colourful materials from all of the “cool shirts” I have been making for Matt. There are snippets from the multitude of dresses and wallets I’ve constructed over time, too. A chunk from the tie-dye curtain we used on the rental, again earlier than we bought our house. And so forth.
The black base/lining material is from a bolt I inherited when David Cleaves died. He was at all times captivated with my stitching expertise AND stay music. I believe he would have dug this coat.
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| Stone Riot–and the trial run of the Celebration Coat–at Thirsty Road Brewing. As a former flute participant…I really like a rockin’ flute! 4/20/2023 |
I completed the Technicolor Celebration Coat with time to spare for Useless Week after which rocked it on the dancefloor in any respect 5 exhibits. I anticipated that it will be fairly enjoyable to bounce in and I wasn’t disenchanted. I hadn’t anticipated how recognizable the coat would make me. It was a bit like Matt and his hat. Since he wears it to each present…folks keep in mind him from city to city! I’ve by no means had that earlier than. The constructive suggestions from folks was very satisfying icing on the cake. I really like the jacket…and different folks appeared to find it irresistible as nicely! Hooray! One dancer in Helena advised me that the coat “embodied the essence of this [Grateful Dead] music,” and it was presumably the very best praise I’ve ever gotten on my stitching.
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| A pitstop on the Pintler Scenic Loop. 4/30/2023 |
(Although to be honest: Matt has been extremely captivated with his “cool shirts” and apparently will get a number of compliments on them from his colleagues which he passes alongside to me. Somebody instantly wished to rent me to assist together with her wedding ceremony costume….which he politely declined on my behalf. That was fairly excessive reward, too.)
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| Modeling the jacket in a near-finished state. I hadn’t added the pockets or button but. 4/20/2023 |
