Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Girly Secret Agent Trench

The Secret Agent Trench is such a satisfying sew.  I've made it twice before -- once in a ponte knit and once in some sort of stretch suiting.  The ponte was very popular with my girls but the suiting was not and I think it was because it felt quite cool to the touch.

Since K. would be wearing this one on cool days, likely over a dress or short sleeves, I wanted it to be cozy so I underlined it in flannel.  I was going to do a hong kong finish if the seams were too bulky but they were manageable so I just followed the normal directions and bound the seams together.


I did skip lining the sleeves because I was worried about bulk but in hindsight it would have been fine.  The flannel gives the twill a bit more body and warmth but didn't add too much thickness.


I am always thrilled when I find the right buttons in my button jars.  This time I only had 7 of the same button but had two others for the sleeves that are the same colour. Good enough!


It's size 8 and a bit big right now but this kid is growing like a weed.  I think this is the only time it will be worn with the belt as she said it dug into her belly button (?).



And one last picture: I have a hard time getting natural shots of this little ham so I usually ask her do something funny so I can get a real smile out of her.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it backfires.  In this case, I asked her to jump and I got some really great expressions but this one was the only one in focus and she looks like she's levitating.  Or as though she was sitting in a chair and I photoshopped her in here  :)


Pattern:
- Secret Agent Trench, used before (cost per use $6.44)

Fabric:
- stretch twill from JoAnns $25. It was on sale and I had an extra 20% off coupon.  The exchange rate cancelled that out and then some so it worked out to about $12CDN/yd.  I used just over 2 yds.
- flannel lining: ~ $7
- binding: I'm going to say stash since it's been in my sewing cupboard for at least 4 years :)

Buttons:
- Stash!

Total: ~$32


5 comments:

  1. It's very cute. I have a yard of this fabric from the remnant bin - I'm thinking a skirt or stretch pants for fall. I like how you calculate for cost!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bought three yards so I have enough for another project, too. I wish my girlies liked the Sunday Brunch skirt because I think that would be super cute in this fabric.

      I always knew it wasn't cheaper to sew the kids clothes (and that's not why I do it) but it wasn't 'til I started keeping track that I realized how much things cost me to make. I'm a bit type-A, with my spreadsheets for fabric and patterns but now when someone admires something I made and asks me to make them one too I can tell them how much it would cost them. I don't actually have time to make things for other people so that usually turns them off :)

      Delete
  2. I am so pleased you made this up and I hope it is popular. It is such sweet fabric.
    xx N

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's been wearing it all week and oh my goodness does it ever look cute on her! It actually looks better without the belt and that's how she prefers to wear it.

      Delete
  3. It's beautiful! I'd defy you to find a trench coat that well made, with bound seams for anything like what it cost you to make it. I know I couldn't. Anyway, when you value your time the equation becomes insane. Just seeing kids dressed this well is priceless in my opinion!
    I've been meaning to make this coat again for so long, maybe soon now I've seen yours.
    hilarious levitating photo!

    ReplyDelete