New Coat of Wool Melton

I got my fabric washed and hung to dry last night and so I'm ready to go with a new coat for myself.  I'm going to make another version of Butterick 5685.

The first version I made in the Fall of 2011 and I've been wearing it as my winter coat ever since.  I wear a wool sweater underneath it when it is particularly cold, but for the most part, it is a very cozy country winter coat.

What I'd like now is a city coat.

My plan is to make the Butterick coat in its shortest length, and give it at least two inside pockets so I have places to put my stuff.  When I go to the city, I hate carrying a purse -- not because I'm afraid of purse snatchers -- but because I hate having my hands perpetually tied up with holding something, so I've decided pockets are a must.

My fabric is a smoke colored dark charcoal wool melton that I got from Fabric.com a couple of years ago.  I really bought it as more of a jacket rather than a coat fabric so it's not that really thick coating melton, but the lighterweight jacket variety.  I think it'll be fine, though.

So why am I making a new coat this late in the season, with Spring just around the corner?  We're planning another trip into Boston, to see the Dropkick Murphys in concert, and I need a new coat :o)  With any luck, I'll get a new pair of shoes, too.  Specifically, these from http://www.onlineshoes.com.  Classy or what?

I Love Shoes

I haven't worked on Youngest Son's vest at all this week -- I'm going to put in some Herculean effort today, though, because I really want it finished by tomorrow.

I did, however, go shopping.  And I found these absolutely awesome shoes.  Born Crowne.  Leather inside and out for that comfy feeling.  I bought the black.  For 40 bucks.  Even though it was hard to choose between that and the brown.

I love the decorated toe cap.  Not overdone, not too sparse.  Just enough to be classy.  The heel is about 2 inches.  Comfortable enough to wear all day.



After I brought them home, I related to my husband the agony I experienced decided which color to choose.  His response?

"Why don't you get one of each?"

My husband is the only man I know who shamelessly encourages me to buy even more shoes than I already do.  Damn, he is just so lovable.

So I went back to Marshall's.  And bought a second pair.

There's No Place Like Home -- Ruby Slippers

Ruby Slippers by Me, Too

I just had to share the awesome-est shoe find so far this year!  There's not much time left in the year, so these just might get the award.

I got these in black leather several months ago at Marshalls and I discovered they are the most comfy heeled shoes I own.  I'm pretty sure they're the only pair I can wear all day long and not have my feet hurt at all.  So, I've been keeping an eye out for them in other colors.

Then I went on my quest for red shoes.  Now, those that know me know that I get a style of shoe in my head that I absolutely have to have, and I'm willing to wait for as long as it takes until I find just what I'm looking for.  It took me 4 years to find a pair of riding boots that were just what I wanted, and I was certainly prepared to wait just as long for red shoes.

And when I say red, I don't mean lipstick red.  That's too orange.  And I don't mean burgundy red, that's too dark.  Or any other of the uncounted shades of red that are out there.  No, it had to be Judy-Garland-Wizard-of-Oz-ruby-slipper red.

So, I was stunned when I saw these (also at Marshalls) in the exact right color, in the same brand name as the ones I already own in black that are the comfiest pumps ever.  They have cute two-inch kitten heels and a rounded toe. 

I hesitated about three seconds before I bought them.

Unfortunately, they're not sized quite the same as the black ones, so they're not quite as comfortable but still pretty good.  They're also not leather, and I've tried to have a policy of  leather-only shoes that can be fixed at the cobbler and polished up to look like new.

But they were 30 bucks.  And they were the perfect color.  And the perfect heel height.

I don't feel guilty.

Shopping Instead of Sewing

The last couple of days have been pretty busy, so I haven't seen much of the inside of my sewing room on Monday or Tuesday.  But...

...I did get these cute new boots.  Most of my boots are knee-high or pretty close to it--this is the first pair of low boots I've bought in probably 15 years.  But they were so cute, I just couldn't resist.  Buttery soft leather, lined with leather and cotton twill and that fake fuzzy stuff at the top.  So winter wonderland-y without the spun sugar.  That zipper is strictly decorative -- it doesn't even have a zipper pull.  Personally, I think these boots are Just. Plain. Cool. I love 'em!!

Now, I'll have to make something that goes with them.

Speaking of making, I did do some sewing today.  The lining of the Fall Jacket is done and the shell is done.  Now I just have to join the two and do the buttonholes, hemming and all that stuff.  What's holding me up is the shoulder pads.  I could make a set or I could wait until I go to JoAnn's this weekend and buy a set.  I haven't decided which way I'll go with that yet.