Jeanius Refashioned Coat Using Simplicity 1254

It is 90 degrees in Texas and I have made my Winter coat! I am so ahead of the game this year! Yay me! Okay, that is not completely accurate. I have finished my Winter coat from last year! 

I began this refashioned, pieced denim coat last Winter using Simplicity 1254 by Leanne Marshall. After spending many hours piecing the coat exterior, I lost my sewjo. All the improvising and auditioning placement of pieces, took it out of me. That coupled with the rapid change in weather, relegated the shell of this coat to my W.I.P. pile.  

I picked this project up again when Lisa over at Pattern and Branch alerted me to the #Refashioners2016 #Jeanius challenge. The Refashioners is a challenge created by Portia Lawrie of Makery that showcases ways to refashion a selected garment. This years challenge is denim from jeans.

To make my coat I pieced 9 pair of men's and women's jeans. After "making" my fabric base, I cut the pieces and sewed per instructions.

The cowl is large and can be used as a hood if you prefer. My choice of denim makes it too heavy for that to be practical. 

  

The only change I made to the instructions was to add two snaps to the underside of the front facing. This part is made using the waistband from one of the jeans. It it does not lay flat because of its' thickness. The snaps keep it together. 

The inside of the coat is lined with Dutch Wax fabric. As is normal with me and linings, I had some troubles with sewing it. Nothing about the pattern just me and the way my brain works. It required a little more concentration, but I go the job done.

Lining Front

Lining back

It is funny, when I pulled this from the W.I.P pile, I couldn't remember why I lost my sewjo. I expected to see glaring problems to resolve. There were none. It serves as a reminder to walk away from stressful situations and projects if you can. Time away gives new perspectives and can reignite excitement after the love is gone.

How about you think about making a project? The challenge goes until September 30th so you have time. 

Happy Sewing,
Bianca

A New Embroidery Machine For Me!

Thank you to those who voted for my hand-sewn dress! I won second place in the Allbrands Sewing Contest! I won a Brother sewing-embroidery machine. Here are the details of my new toy. I cannot wait to begin playing with it!  

                              
An inspiration to modish mavens and fashionistas, the Project Runway Limited Edition LB6770 PRW sewing and embroidery combination machine brings new creative potential to a designer’s palette. With 70 built-in embroidery designs, five monogramming fonts and 120 frame pattern combinations, the LB6770 PRW imparts style and panache to designer creations. Using the 67 built-in stitches, 98 stitch functions and 10 styles of one-step automatic buttonholes, this limited edition machine brings added dimension, color, texture, imagery and sophistication to apparel. The built-in embroidery card slot allows the use of thousands of optional Brother embroidery designs for greater differentiation tailored to a designer’s unique vision.

Design it with Sewing

• 67 Built-in Stitches
• 98 Stitch Functions
• 10 One-stop Automatic Buttonholes
• Advanced Needle Threader Saves Wear and Tear on Eyes/Fingers
• Built-in Variety of Utility and Decorative Stitches
• Automatic Push-Button Thread Cutter
• Super Bright, LED-Lit Work Area
• Super-Easy Bobbin Winding System

Embellish It With Embroidery

• 70 Built-in Embroidery Designs
• 5 Alphanumeric Fonts
• 120 Frame Pattern Combinations
• Embroidery Rotation in 90˚, 10˚ and 1˚ Increments
• Embroider Designs up to 4” x 4”
• Built-in Memory Allows User to Save up to 12 Embroidery Designs
• On-Screen Editing to Create the Perfect Embroidery Patterns
• Built-in Card Slot Enables Use of 1000s of Optional Brother Embroidery Designs

Sewing Stitches

• Stitch Attributes: Mirror, twin, multi-directional, side cutter, satin stitch regulator
• Stitch Width: up to 7.0 mm
• Stitch Length: up to 5.0 mm
• Utility stitch functions: Yes
• Reinforcement Function: Yes
• Quilting stitch functions: Yes
• Heirloom stitch functions: Yes
• Built-in Decorative Stitches: Yes

Embroidery Pattern

• Monogramming Fonts: 5
• Frame Patterns: 10 frames, 12 patterns
• Decorative Patterns: Yes
• Media Recognition: Memory Cards
• Embroidery File Formats: .PES and .DST embroidery data files are compatible with this machine. 

Needle/Thread Features

• Needle Threading System: Advanced
• Upper Thread Tension System for perfect stitches on any fabric: Manual
• Needle Positions: 15
• # of needles: Single needle machine
• Bobbin: Top (horizontal)/Drop-in Quick Set™
• Thread Sensors: Upper Thread and Bobbin Sensors
• Thread Cutter Button: Push-Button Automatic
• Bobbin winding system: Super Easy Bobbin Winding System

Machine Features

• Maximum Sewing Speed (stitch per minute): 710
• Free Arm: Yes
• Presser Foot Attachment: Snap-on
• Drop Feed Function: Yes
• LCD Touch Control Panel: Backlit, Touch Screen 380 mm x 710 mm
• Presser Foot Pressure: Auto
• Maximum Embroidery Field: 4” x 4”

Screen/Software

• On-Screen Editing: Yes
• Display Control Panel: Backlit, Touch Screen 380 mm x 710 mm
• Compatible with PE-Design/PED Basic: Yes
• Design Memory: Yes (sewing/embroidery)

Carton Contents

• Accessory Storage: Yes
• In the box: 7 feet (buttonhole, overcasting, monogramming, zipper, zigzag, blind hem, and button fitting), seam ripper, 4 bobbins including clips, needle set, twin needle, cleaning brush, eyelet punch, screwdriver, touch pen, 3 spool caps, spool pin, spool net, foot controller, scissors, disc-shaped screwdriver, embroidery hoop, accessory case, and manual.

I feel like a college Freshman on day one of school. I have no experience with embroidery machines and everything I read is like a new language. There is so much to learn and I am so excited to see what I can do with this machine. If you have any tips, or resources you can share, I would really appreciate it. 

Happy Sewing,

Bianca