Albion finished just in time for the winter.

So, I finished my Albion duffle coat a little while ago, but only got a chance to photograph now.  Is it just me or does November light not lend itself very well to either sewing or photographing.  I really struggled this last month with lack of light and somehow artificial light doesn't quite work either.

Anyway, my coat is finished and I am pretty pleased with it.  Just to recap from my last couple of posts, my fabric was a teal coloured wool fabric which I bought from Clothspot in early Autumn (appears to be sold out now).  I suppose I rushed into my purchase, should have really got a sample first and so when it arrived I felt it was really a bit lightweight.  But as I had bought quite a bit of it I wanted to use it anyway.

I chose to make the medium size of the pattern and did not make a toile, and as the style is oversized anyway I feel it is a bit on the big size, especially in the shoulder area, but I think I can get away with it.

I really like my lining fabric which is a soft, fleecy double gauze in grey/teal polka dot which I got from MissMatatabi on Etsy ages ago (with a view to making a dress).  As I mentioned in my previous post, I didn't think it was going to be quite warm enough so I have sewed interlining fabric between the outer fabric and lining.  This was obviously a bit more work and expense, but worth it.  I have been wearing the coat the last few days and it is very cosy.

If you are thinking of making your own winter coat,  my advice would be to spend the most you can afford (especially if you want protection from the elements & some longevity) and get some samples as it's really the only way to judge the weight of the fabric for sure.  I think my fabric was £6.95/metre, it is wool, but light weight, I would say to up the budget more, but for the price I paid it's actually ok. Of course, with wool the sky is the limit, you can pay up to £40/meter or more (eg Harris Tweed or merino suiting)

As regards the pattern,  as I may have said before (having made one for my husband back in January), there is nothing too difficult about it, the instructions are great, there are just a lot of small steps.  As it is a duffle coat there is no real shaping or fitting, so it is ideal for a beginner/intermediate sewer.  Due to busyness, mine took an inordinately long time to complete, but I made my husbands in a couple of weeks back in January (and I would still say I'm a beginner)

I got the toggles on Etsy and deliberated over whether to machine stitch or hand stitch.  After much deliberation, I hand stitched them zzz! boy was that tedious, but I was afraid that if I used a needle for leather that it would tear my fabric, so there you go.

I intend sewing press fasteners down the facing at the front as the coat tends to part slightly with the toggle closure, so probably fasteners will keep it more secure.  Also I love the pockets, the in-seam pockets are lovely and deep and cosy and, of course, there are also the front pockets.

Cost wise I haven't worked it out exactly, but I reckon it's around £70, yes perhaps I could have bought a coat ready to wear at that price, but it would be more synthetic, so for the money I think I have a pretty good coat.

Anyway overall I am pleased and also glad to finally finish it and judging by the weather forecast it may come in useful. Maybe I can get on to some faster, 'lighter' projects now.  I have, of course,  a list of desirables so where to start?

(A few more details are on my previous posts)

Rejuvenation and relaxation.

What an amazing July that was.  We were lucky in our choice of holiday destination this year, all the way across the water to Norfolk for nearly 3 weeks.  We seemed to miss any storms or rain and had amazing weather the whole time, the only down side were the mosquitoes which were incessant with their biting.

I deliberately didn't take my computer, no knitting or sewing.  I had a complete break from everything technological which was very welcome.  I know there are the necessities that we now have to do on-line, but we are on computers so much now, I felt the need for a real break from it all.  With the weather being so good I didn't really miss knitting and so we had a very active, outdoorsey kind of holiday.  We are, however, on a cusp as a family in that our children our now teenagers and you start to wonder what does it for them!

Anyway, with relaxation and rejuvenation in mind I thought I would share my last make before we left on holiday.  They are basically track suit bottoms and they were great for travelling in.

I used the Papercut Anima pant pattern which was a quick and straightforward make.  These paper patterns are lovely, they come in a brown cardboard flat box and the pattern pieces are in brown paper with instruction that can be formed into a little booklet.  The box also has a 'coathanger' so that it can be hung up.  Cute!  The fabric I used is this marled grey jersey fabric from Clothspot.  I only discovered this company lately but anything I have got has been great,  What I particularly like is their descriptions of each fabric and clever little links to other matching fabrics.

The fabric itself is a polyester/viscose jersey with some spandex, is relatively light but has a soft cosiness to it.  I really like it (might have to get some more) and it also washes well.

As regards the pattern it is straightforward, the pants have pockets, a fairly deep elastic waist and eyelet holes for a drawstring cord.  I tried cord but it just looked a bit bulky so I settled for some fine Tessuti ribbon which works just fine.  You can opt for cuffed or non-cuffed legs, I chose non-cuffed but they turned out at that awkward not quite flattering length, so I would either add a couple of inches or choose to put the cuff on.  I think they are meant to be like ankle grazing but it doesn't quite suit me.  Overall I am pleased, this will be a pattern to return to.  I had also chosen a patterned jersey to make another pair but have chickened out so far.  Haha.

Anyway I came back to my vegetable garden which seemed to have thrived in 3 weeks (as had the weeds, of course)

Brassicas and squash thriving.

Peas & beans

First produce of the year (apart from salad)

So lots of weeding and work in the garden, but also some sewing planning,  been saving some Liberty from last autumn which really should be cut into.

I may, however, have to call it the 'Alfie' as I see Alfie was wearing a shirt in this fabric at the birth of the twins in Eastenders.  That guy's got taste!!