The Red Trench - Part Eight

Finished!

I did finish the trench last night! The pictures above were taken outside this afternoon, and there might have been more, but it's 17 degrees F outside plus the wind is blowing and it's too cold for just a turtleneck, jeans and a trench coat!

First, I'd like to give a great big "Thank You" to Tany! She sent me the fabric, covered buttons and traced me the pattern from her copy of Patrones. Without her, this trench wouldn't be here. Add to that inspiration from her finished trench and all her help, and I think I've been blessed with not only a coat, but a good friend.

Below you can see the Christian LaCroix trench which was the main inspiration, on sale at La Redoute for $269.99:

Below is the back taken indoors. I am pleased with the back shoulder area. Thanks to all of you who helped me get the fit just right - it obviously helped to make my coat better! (Yes, I know, I still have that extra slope on the right shoulder, even after adding shoulder pads!)

Here are some details from my coat. A few of them are similar to Tany's version of the trench, but I've added a few of my own.

As you can see from the pictures above and know from previous posts, I added inseam pockets to the side seam. Also added, but not seen are some thin shoulder pads. To the center back neck, I added a hanging loop:

I added an additional button underneath each covered button for support, like Tany did:

Of course, there are the bound buttonholes. Below is the view from the wrong side. I prefer to finish bound buttonholes with a rectangular opening.

Last, but not least, the hem ruffle. I made mine single and narrower than the pattern originally called for; mine is 3 1/2", the original was 4 1/2" and there were two of them. I also pleated mine differently with small box pleats. I stitched the ruffle on with two rows of parallel stitching hoping that this method would discourage drooping of the ruffle. The ruffle is attached in such a way that if I get tired of it in a few years, I can remove it without damaging the hem or lining. In other words, I attached it first, then finished the hem and lining.

Overall, I really love this coat! It is too bad, but I probably won't wear it much until next spring when the weather is warmer. It's getting to be heavy wool coat and parka weather here.

Parting Shot: Christmas Gift for a Friend. Two of my friends have make-up brush rolls that I made for them and wanted one for a third friend. Now, you know, that I threw away the little diagram I sketched on a small piece of packaging cardboard when I cleaned out the studio thinking I wouldn't need it! I figured it out, and in the bottom photo, you can see that the top folds down to protect the brush bristles, while the bottom has various sized pockets for the brush handles.