I’ve been debating about what kind of fabric I wanted to use for Peanut’s fall jacket. I bought this Oliver + S pattern in June while at the quilting shop hop but couldn’t decide if I wanted to use a laminate and have it be sort of a raincoat, or use a wool and have it be a heavier coat, or use a cotton and have it be a lighter fall jacket. I waffled about it even after I made Wingnut’s fall jacket.
Then a couple weeks ago I went to a small farmer’s market in South Jordan. It’s right outside Material Girls so, of course, I had to drop in to see what they had. To my surprise they had this bright, fun fabric on sale. I already knew Peanut loved it because she chose the pink colorway for her flower blankie so I grabbed it up. I found a smaller, coordinating print for an accent and a fuzzy, coordinating flannel for the lining so it would be a little warmer. There was another flannel I was considering and may go back to buy because I have some corduroy that would match it perfectly. Maybe later.
Anyway, it’s been sitting, washed and folded, on the ironing board in my sewing room for the last couple of weeks because I haven’t had time, and also because I wanted to save it for my September sewing project. Yesterday I couldn’t wait any longer, though, and got started on it. I finished it this morning, so even though I did most of it yesterday, it still counts.
This also might be a good time to introduce my newest tool. The Peanut Dress Form! I’ve wanted one for quite a while, like since the first season of Project Runway when I saw how useful they could be. They’re so expensive, though, and I could never afford one. I’d heard about making dress forms out of duct tape but never knew how until a friend on twitter sent me a link to a tutorial. So one afternoon I turned on a movie so Peanut would stay with me, wrapped her in plastic wrap, then wrapped her in duct tape. She thought it was kind of funny but didn’t really pay much attention to me. After three layers I cut it off her and taped it back together. I put off stuffing it because I needed to collect some newspaper and stuff but ODD suggested using foam insulating filler stuff. I sprayed it all over the inside but it took ages to dry and the expanding was hindered by the plastic wrap so I think next time I’ll use newspaper and stuffing like it originally suggests. It’s mounted on a small lamp base from IKEA. Voila! A dress form for $10-15! It’s not the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen, I’m sure, but it works for me.
Her little belly sticking out is so cute. It makes me laugh.
Anyway, back to the jacket. The pattern didn’t call for accent fabric but after making Wingnut’s I decided to just go for it because I thought it was so cute and made it just a little different.
With the top toggle unbuttoned. Again, the sleeves are long so I roll them up and let the lining peek out.
The pattern is well written and has the option of a quilted lining insert for more warmth. I think I’m going to make it when I get some more time. It isn’t too cold yet, though, and the jacket is fully lined with the flannel so it will be fine for quite a while still.
Even the cute pockets are lined with the flannel.
I think it will be perfect for chilly mornings when I take Peanut to preschool.
And look! A smile! It’s been quite some time since I made something she doesn’t pout and whine about wearing. That must mean it’s extra cute.
holy buckets, batman! is it ever exhausting, having so much talent!? Love the jacket and especially the cute smiles from peanut! I wonder if I could talk you into wrapping me in plastic wrap, then duct tape…i’ve wanted a dress form so much, too! Maybe I’ll try it first with Wildgirl…;)
I just have to say that knowing you whipped that out in less than 2 days is really depressing to me. (In a good way?) And your dress form is awesome. Knowing that she’s growing so fast and you’ll need a new one in 6 months makes spending any more on it seem crazy.
@ Wilbound: “is it ever exhausting, having so much talent!?” LOL. Yes, actually!
It wears me out to have a billion projects bouncing around my brain and not being able to get to them all.
I’d be more than happy to wrap you in plastic wrap and duct tape. I keep meaning to have ODD help me make one of me but I just can’t manage to find the time. Maybe we do do each other.
@ Em, that’s exactly what I thought. Why spend so much on a form that won’t be the right size in less than a year. Making one out of duct tape is something I’m willing to do again.
Please oh Please be my mom!!! I won’t whine about the cute stuff you make.
Oh, my gosh, that is SO CUTE!!! You are so awesome. I wish we had a fun fabric store like that! And I wish I had enough talent to make anything but a simple skirt (which I’m in the middle of and need to go finish).
Super cute! And I love how you stacked Peanut’s hair in the back
Thanks! She sort of has bed head right now. We did it Sunday morning for church but I don’t think I’ve even brushed it since so it’s a little wacky in places. Surprisingly it’s not too bad!
I love that jacket! So darling! I’d like to see another in wool, please! Love the cute pictures of a smiling girl. Too bad she insists she won’t be going to preschool this fall…
Does that come in my size? I love it! She looks so cute too. I saw instructions for making a dress form in a similar way. The one I saw the girl used an old t-shirt instead of plastic wrap.
I know! I kind of want to make one my size, too.
The tutorial I followed said she tried it with a t-shirt the first time but it made too much bulk so it wasn’t a true form of her body. She said the plastic wrap would better for her because it was a truer fit so that’s what I went with.
SO darling! You’re amazing, HSF!
When I saw that first picture of Peanut, I thought you had gotten into duct tape clothing. Love it. I’m so happy to see her modeling and smiling about it.
I just noticed the back of Peanut’s hair. LOVE IT! I wish Hailey would let me get her a cute hair cut.
So freakin cute! I love it and I can’t believe how fast she is growing up…Preschool!?!?!?
That jacket is so amazing and fun! I love it, and the dress form with the bulging belly is so cute (and no doubt super useful!). Peanut’s hair is so darling, love the shot from the back and the shot of her smiling and happy in her fashionable fall jacket. Well done!
You DID get some great smiles out of her and I’m thinking you should’ve LEFT her in the wrap and duct tape…..it makes for a great and sexy dress.
The coat, as always turned out awesome, but I LOVE her haircut!
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[...] Jackets These jackets have been a long time coming. As in I made the kids some fall jackets last year and wanted to make some heavier ones but never got around to it. It ended up being a good [...]