So, I am getting my head back together enough that I am beginning to think about sewing again — perhaps it is all that playing with fabric, perhaps it is just that life seems to be running a little more smoothly at the moment. It is not that I feel more in control, dangerous territory that, but that I feel less out of control.
Specifically, what has immediately caught my attention is this Burberry Prorsum coat:
I am incredibly intrigued and fascinated by this. At $11,995 it could never fit in any conceivable budget. And I think I am really intrigued by the idea of it as much as actually owning it. Or more exactly I want to try do something inspired by this. Creating my own version of this just looks like fun, and that would be something thrilling to wear.
This picture is from the NY Times Style magazine and it is the best picture I have found. On the various runway shots this coat is much to easy to miss. I am surprised that I can't find more pictures or information about this coat. Does anyone know of any better detail shots? Does anyone have any information about the coat? I am not going to get out snoop shopping this year, at least not much, so I guess it is up to my imagination.
I believe it is silk organza. At least there is a silk organza dress with similar draped pleating. I can see doing this in organza. It is light enough that it would not be too bulky and I don't think anything softer would give you that crisp pleated look. That doesn't make this a practical trench, but I am not really interested in it for its practicality.
This coat has reminded me of the lace coat that Burberry Prorsum did in the fall of 2006. I was pretty interested in that one too, but I wanted to make it for spring and I didn't want exactly the same kind of lace. I never found a lace I liked that I could get in a large enough quantity to make that trench, especially since I wanted it a little less fitted and close to the body than the original trench.
So now, after a discussion about lace on Stitcher's Guild, and Liana's link to Lace Mart I have also resurrected my interest in a lace trench, this time perhaps in a more traditional lace although I am now considering dyingthe lace some deeper color and perhaps making a trench with a little more volume. That would make it something I would wear for a long long time.
As neither one of these coats is something I need to survive the winter I can take my time. My question now is it better to just sew quick little things as I find time and inspiration, or should I start a grand project, just putting in bits of time as I find it available. After all I did that for years when I had a very time-consuming job: I just make one or two evening dresses a year, working on them as time allowed.
But before I can sew anything I need to make some sense of my sewing room. It is still the place that everything that I can't deal with gets shoved until I can spare it the necessary attention. And I don't have fabric ready for either trench.
I also have to deal with the "what to wear this fall" issue as I am pretty much in need of some new fall clothes that fit. I think the best solution is just to place an order with J Crew and Banana Republic for the basics, which is really all I need. And yes it is true, I would order from Banana Republic even though I occasionally bitch about the quality. I still like their style and colors.
If I can satisfy my basic wardrobe needs I am then free to sew what ever I feel like when the time and mood hits, be it simple tees, dresses, or even more complicated epic projects. And even if initially I only sew the simple things, well dreaming of tees just isn't as much fun as dreaming of pleated organza coats is it?
Comments
6 responses to “More Coat Dreams”
I love that pleated organza coat. You need one.
The lace coat looks considerable less practical. It would constantly be getting snagged on things.
I love that pleated organza coat. You need one.
The lace coat looks considerable less practical. It would constantly be getting snagged on things.
Wow! That coat is . . . just, wow! So gorgeous. Can’t wait to see if you make it.
Wow! That coat is . . . just, wow! So gorgeous. Can’t wait to see if you make it.
I have to second the wows, you have managed to find two beautiful coats. I am interested to see if you do figure out to sew them. There is a lot to be said to whipping out the ‘ol sewing machine and giving it the old college try!
I have to second the wows, you have managed to find two beautiful coats. I am interested to see if you do figure out to sew them. There is a lot to be said to whipping out the ‘ol sewing machine and giving it the old college try!