The House Coat

I had the day off and was finally able to get a lot of stuff done around the house. I cleaned, I cooked, and I crafted so all-in-all it was a great day. I even got my pattern and thread shelf all pretty (those big binders hold all my 1940s-1970s patterns (some reprints mostly originals)).

I spent a good chunk of the morning trying to understand the proper way to enlarge a pattern, it was very intimidating. But after finally sitting down and doing the math I trace the pattern onto some brown craft paper and got to work. I really did think it was going to be a lot harder than it was but I put the pattern together and then created a mock up of the bodice which fit perfectly the way it should, though I may add another inch into the arms for comfort. women size 12 patterns from the 50s are never meant to fit my body and now I can confidently adjust the sizing. Here is a look at my newly hung project board, definitely glad I got this!

so now I have the bodice mock up done and it is ready for me to jump in and get the full project done. I'm thinking of starting with the lining so that in case I mess up I can just do it all on the inside. :) But I will say, this pattern is in terrifying condition, I've never worked with a more fragile pattern before. I'm just glad I was able to get it traced so if I ever need to make it again I don't have to pull out the 60 year old pieces of pattern tissue. On my next post I'll try to remember to post a picture of the font bodice, it was a mess to pull out of the envelope.