Happy New Year!!!

Every year since this pattern was released back in 2005, I've planned to make this jacket.  I've bought fabric every single year and the fabric seems to get designated for another project -- each year.  For the life of me, I couldn't remember why I'd never gotten around to making this.  But this year, I was determined to make my pea coat that I've wanted for so long.

This is out-of-print Vogue 2873, a design by Michael Kors from his Fall 2004 collection. 

Original Michael Kors pea coat

What I love most about this design is that pea coats are so traditional and timeless and this pattern was no exception.  

Pea coats are a wardrobe essential that every well-dressed woman I can think of owns and wears to death.  The pea coat was made iconic by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  That's why it's often referred to as the "Jackie O jacket".

They have the ability to make your ensemble look much more pulled together than otherwise.

For my pea coat, I chose this pattern because it has all of the details that I wanted (i.e. military-inspired epaulets, three row high buttons).  I wanted to use a heavy weight, high quality coating fabric so I chose this wool/cashmere (wool 80%/cashmere 20%) fabric.  I can't tell you how luxurious this fabric feels.  Unlike how wool can feel itchy, the cashmere makes it feel like a cuddly blanket you just want to wrap up in.

Here are my jacket "innards".  As you see, I've intricately tailored it.  I'm not going to go into great depth and description because I've blogged extensively in the past on my tailoring techniques.  The only thing I really did differently this time was using the machine instead of padstitchng.  It tremendously cut down on all of the handstitching.  I used a serpentine stitch as seen in Kenneth King's book "Cool Couture".  Other steps were taken from my tailoring go-to book -- "Tailoring:  The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket".  

The only modification I had to make was adding an inch of length to the body of the pea coat.  I was pleasantly surprised at how generously the sleeves are drafted.  I couldn't believe I didn't have to lengthen them.  

For the lining, I used black Bemberg rayon that I picked up at Joann's.  My location stays pretty well stocked in the basic colors.  And my favorite detail of all are the great silver/gold crested shank buttons.  

They just take the jacket to next level compared to the ones I see most in ready-to-wear.  And I topstitched using heavy-duty thread that wouldn't get lost in the thick fibers of the fabric.

For my final project of 2012, this is my favorite.  I succeeded in making an heirloom-quality jacket that I plan to wear for many, many years.  

I wore this a few days back when I was still feeling kind of bad from my cold and needed to brighten up my mood.  What better way than wearing vibrant hues. 

This is one of my favorite jackets.  Yellow is such a happy color that I can't help but feel much better when I wear it.

I feel like I've been sick for months and everytime I feel recovered, here comes the sore throat and that crazy inner ear itch eeking it's way back.  So this year, our holiday was small because I just wasn't here for it.  But I hope yours was everything you wanted it to be!

Wearing:  Yellow trench jacket: Vogue 8480; neon yellow sweater: J.Crew (old), but similar to this one; Not Your Daughter's Jeans; wedges from Lotus Boutique; Karen Walker sunnies.

Fancy jeans has been a really big trend this season.  And my favorite way to follow a trend and come in under budget, is to sew a garment myself. 

Sources one, two and three.

This is Vogue 2973, an out-of-print pattern by Montana from 2007.  Yes, I'm still reaching in the filing cabinet for old patterns.  I've been intending to sew this pattern since I bought it 5 years ago... but I was always waiting for the perfect fabric for the jacket.  

For the pants, I used a black damask printed Italian denim (cotton 85%/polyester 13%/lycra 2%).  When I first ran across this fabric, I knew it had to become a pair of jeans. 

While researching reviews of this pattern, I was surprised to see there were only two reviews for the pants.  I thought they were pretty great looking on the envelope which is sometimes a rarity with the pattern companies.  So when I read and reviewed the images, I saw why.  This pattern has an enormous amount of ease.  I wouldn't want to wear jeans with the type of "relaxed fit" that this pattern would yield IF I'd stuck to my proper measurements.  Which leads me to wonder, why the pattern didn't produce a garment that looked like the designer sample in the envelope photo?!  Could it be a case of a poorly drafted pattern?

So instead, I cut the size 14.  I still had to sew them and nip/tuck as I went along.  The leg was not originally as tapered as I wanted them to be.  I didn't want a "skinny" skinny jean... but more of a grown up straight-legged style.  For my pants/jeans, I try to keep in mind my hip to leg-opening ratio.  I'm not trying to look like an ice cream cone.  So I based my measurements on favorite pants in my closet.

Even though with the print, you can't see it, but there is a lot of topstitching and edge stitching.  I felt that gave them a good RTW look... that is when given a close-up inspection.  

And I didn't follow the instruction very much.  I know the order in which I like putting pants together.  Plus, I always use this method for fly-front zipper installation.

My favorite detail of this project was the welt zippers and the topstitching on the waistband.

This is a cool pattern that fit the bill for what I'd envisioned.  But please be warned, this pattern is not for the rank beginner.  It's for someone that knows how to take the pieces given and modify them into what they actually want.

I've been doing battle with a cold for about the last 3 weeks.  The cold seems to be winning.  Everyone at home has been sick and no matter how much we medicate and Lysol (v.), we can't get rid of this bug.  Ugh!  And as much as I would love to convalesce while luxuriating in my bed all day, that ain't gonna happen.  Life and responsibilities aren't taking a break because I have a cough and a runny nose.

And as much as I'd rather be home in my pajamas, I still have my daily errands to run.  And I'm NOT that chick that would ever be caught dead out in public in PJs!  Just as sure as I step out the house looking crazy, that'll be the day I'd have to get out of the car for whatever reason while picking Mikaela up from school.  She'd be horrified! LOL

So even when I'm feeling cruddy and must be seen in public, I default to my go to style of comfort, pull my hair back (since it's grown out), add blush, bronzer, lipstick and a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Wearing:  wrap cardi (similar to THIS); Helmut Lang dress (old, similar to THIS); faux leather leggings (similar to THESE); BCBG boots (old, similar to THESE).

Every year, Pantone, the global authority on color, watches the trends, designers and brands to see which colors are making a splash. After conducting polls and research, the institute picks one color that will act as a sort of "running thread" throughout the tapestry of fashion and design trends. Their pick for 2013 is lively, radiant and lush emerald green.

Emerald is a jewel tone. It mixes perfectly with rich purples, blues, reds, golds and brightens up black like what I'm wearing.

I decided to pair my green pants with a black turtleneck sweater and my black cape.

Emerald is a perfect hue for accessories such as handbags and jewelry.

It's not surprising that emerald green is the "IT" color for 2013.  It was already popping up everywhere back when I first made these pants.  It was one of my must have colors all summer.

Do YOU have any emerald green in your wardrobe or fabric stash?  If not, do you plan on incorporating any?

I loved all of the details on my cape so much, that I decided I wanted an actual coat on a similar style.  And lately, I've been more than obsessed with oversize jackets and I've naturally gravitated to the cocoon style.

I knew exactly what I had in mind:  I wanted something that fit oversize and had a dramatic collar.  I've also been checking out blanket coats as well.  So while flipping through my pattern cabinet, I came upon Vogue 8696.  Okay... not really a coat... more of a sweater, yet all of the details are there.  My fabric is wool-blend coating (purchased at Hancock's last year), with NO-STRETCH.

Well... being the ME that I am, I decided to make it work anyway.  Hey, it's only fabric.  And the only way to learn if something will work is to test it out.  So I went for it.  I cut out the size large and I didn't make any alterations to the body of the design.  Since I was using Views A/B (minus the belt), I lined mine with fabric from my stash.  Here is the only change I made:

I had a small piece of lambskin leather in my stash and decided to add it to the sleeves.

Leather sleeves are a major trend this season and I knew this would be a great detail.

With the bulk of the fabric, I decided to omit the belt and just let the coat hang free.

I added cognac accessories to play off of the winter white:  bag from Steve Madden and boots from Sam Edelman.

I can already tell you that this coat will see a lot of wear this season.  It's so warm and comfy that it'll be the one I reach for the most!

Crimson Tide 4th Quarter!

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving weekend was amazing!  My family and I had a great time.  It was topped off with an amazing Iron Bowl win for The University of Alabama!  Roll Tide, Roll!!!  And as a true S.E.C. girl, I repped my school colors by rocking my McCall's 5766 houndstooth coat to the game. 

If you didn't already know, houndstooth joined the crimson and white as the unofficial third color of the Alabama Crimson Tide.  So this is what I grab for on crisp autumn gameday!

In addition to my coat, I wore Nine West Vintage America Skinny Jeans (perfect for wearing with boots); BCBG black suede boots (similar to these); a black cashmere turtleneck; a black pashmina scarf; and my "pop of crimson" red bag.

This is Vogue 1329 by Kay Unger New York.  On the pattern envelope, the original dress was black with a white contrast.  I decided to reverse it like this dress below:

This isn't even the Kay Unger New York dress, it's by Calvin Klein.  It makes you wonder which came first?

I've always liked the Kay Unger New York options at Vogue Patterns and this one is no different.  

This pattern went together so well and so quickly.  It was just what I needed to get my sewing mojo revved up.  I used ponteroma knit in off-white and black from my stash.  I'm not sure if I bought it from Joann's or Hancock... I've had it for just that long. 

I really love the pleated detail at the waist.  It saved a this dress from easily going into the boxy territory.  Colorblocking is still a hot trend and the colorblocking possibilities with this dress are endless.  So it's a really good chance I'll make this again.

And since it was a gorgeous day that was around a high of 67, I added patent leather peep-toe ankle booties and my black Jason Wu for Target trench.