Guts on display

The coat is almost done, but since I'm flying to Santa Fe today (long story: my worldly possessions have spent the last 12 months living in a storage space two states away) I'll leave you with two last construction shots before the Big Reveal.

Yesterday I creamed through two impromptu side pockets that came out gratifyingly well.  You can see them here because I used the same spotted flannel (I wasn't going to run out to Mood just for some neutral flannel...).  The opening of the pocket bags is lined in the lining fabric which camouflages it at the pocket mouth.  

I sewed the nehru-ish collar on, then sewed the lining over the whole shebang and once again the New Home came through with flying collars, ha, colors.  

Sidenote:  I'll admit I thought the whole vintage sewing machine thing was a bit of a fad, but I was wrong.  My New Home is like a racehorse compared to my Janome donkey.  Go New Home!

The collar getting steamed

I finally put on the coat, looked in the mirror, and screamed, "It makes me look fat!" My boyfriend swears I'm nuts. You guys will be the judge.

So far I've spotted one major issue.  The coat bodice fronts collapse a little about the bust; almost exactly where the shoulder guards are in fact.  It's not noticeable except in flash photography where the "dents" are highlighted.  I'm wondering if I should take the shoulder guards out, or have a discovered a new figure "quirk" that I'll need to account for in the future?

One other issue: I'm having a hell of a time getting the thick layers of wool to press flat, especially at the facing edges (i.e., the opening edges of the coat).  Any tricks? I'm thinking of taking the coat to a quality dry-cleaner to get the "Barbie Coat" look pressed out of it.

Ok, more when I get back!

p.s. Renee, I think I am going back on my word in regards to sending you the pattern!  It's in pieces (literally) and I think I'm going to sew it up again in the near future.  Can we still be friends :-) ???