The Savvy Sewer Salon at Sawyer Brook

Hi Everyone
Jenny is going to lead us in a sew along for trench coats or jackets this spring. We plan to start the first week in April. Jenny will hop on shortly and introduce herself and her ideas for the project. This will be fun! Enjoy!

Hi! I'm really excited to get this started, and I hope a lot of sewers will join in. Trenches are hot this year in fashion, and they never really go out of style, so I think it will be a good investment of our time. If the trench style isn't your thing, just pick another spring jacket pattern and jump in.

We're not going to really get going until the beginning of April, so there's plenty of time to get materials.

To start the creative juices, here's a fun trench from Burberry, the trench coat originator (pic from Nordstrom website). The style is classic, but the color is fun!


The pattern I plan to use is McCall's 5525. I'm hoping it will go on sale in the next week or two.


I'm still undecided on my fabric, but I have it narrowed down to these:
Rhubarb Crisp

Malt Satin

La Jolla

Pinckney


I'll coordinate with Barb to offer some more suggestions of fabrics of appropriate weight. The great thing is that the trench doesn't really have to be waterproof to be stylish, so fabric options are wide open.

Here are a few other trench patterns:

Simplicity 4084

http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page=search.cfm&numMatch=2&design_id=13614&design=4084&thumbnail_image=4084t.jpg&ldesc=Misses%20%26%20Miss%20Petite%20Lined%20Trench%20Coats%20Threads%20Collection&size_range=6%20to%2020&status_num=2

McCall's 5816

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5816.htm

Burda 7691

http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns/Main_Collection/7691_Jacket/1270778-1128998-1003469-1683496.html

Burda 7786

http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns ... 84454.html

Also, if you subscribe to Burda World of Fashion magazine, I know there have been quite a few trench patterns lately.

If anyone has other pattern ideas, please post them!
Of course, if you want to make something other than a trench-style jacket, there are tons of options open to you.

Hi Everyone
We have just put together a packet of current fabrics in stock for the trench sew along. It includes the ones that Jenny mentioned plus a number of neutrals that are coming up this spring. If you would like to receive the packet, send an email to fabric@sawyerbrook.com using Trench Packet in the subject. There is no cost for the packet.

I've ordered my fabric, lining, buttons, interfacing, and pattern, so now I'm just waiting... I'm usually a fusible interfacing girl, but the pattern specifically calls for sew-in interfacing, so that's what I ordered. This will be interesting for me. I've read that the pattern instructions are very good, so I plan to just take it step by step. Anyone plan to sew along? We won't be starting for a few weeks, so there's still plenty of planning and materials-gathering time.

My pattern is McCall's 5525 - http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5525 ... 525&page=1.

Hi Jenny - I love the pattern you've chosen. Very cute. What fabric have you picked?

Lois

Hi Everyone
Our Trench Packet is nealy ready. We received a number of requests yesterday after our newsletter went out Thursday night. I would like to wait to send it out until we have several more fabrics in stock that will be suitable. Many of the fabrics in the group now are lightweight and some of you may prefer a heavier fabrication to work with. We have more fabrics coming in this week that are a slightly heavier (bottom weight) twill. Once those arrive, we'll send the packet out. If you haven't requested it yet, ask now. Please put Trench in the Subject Line.

Just so we are clear, these fabrics do not have any weather-proofing finishes. The one exception is Rubarb Crisp which is very lightweight, but does have some kind of water resisant finish.

Jenny,
I'll sew with you after I finish the shirt sew-along I have fabric and pattern in mind but more about it later.

Natalia

Jenny
We've had several mention that they want to join in when they requested the Trench Packet. I expect we'll hear from them here soon!

Just as a matter of interest, I saw this Burberry trench while window shopping. http://www.burberryusaonline.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3359958&cp=3146777.2127128.2067810&parentPage=family. It is really beautiful.

I received an ad from Talbot's yesterday and here's what they say about the classic trench:

It has a "hint of intrigue, iconic charm and modern personality".

http://www1.talbots.com/talbotsonline/product/itempage.aspx?item=C82986&PFID=1429&BID=&h=M&sk=M

Lois,
I went with La Jolla.

I love that bright pink for a springtime jacket. I didn't get a swatch, so when the fabric arrives, I may alter some of the details in the pattern if I don't think they'll "work" in that fabric. I'm also really excited to see what new fabrics Barb is going to put up... maybe there are two jackets in my future. I keep seeing white and bone-colored trenches in fashion magazines, and I think they look so chic.

I've decided on a pattern but not the fabric yet. Can't wait to get the swatches!

The pattern is from Serendipity Studio

Wendy,

Welcome! Glad you're sewing along. I'd never heard of that pattern company so I checked it out. Really cute patterns! I really like the Juliet tunic dress version and the Bella skirt. They look really reasonably priced, too. Have you sewn their patterns before?

Jenny

Here's a link to Wendy's pattern on the website:
http://www.sewserendipity.com/product_info.php?products_id=131&osCsid=d27f0effaa04fe085461695409308025

Finally! The Trench Packets left today...thank you for your patience. We had hoped to include some new fabrics that are coming this week, but alas, they are delayed. We anticipate the shipment later this week and will receive and sample them by next week. In the meantime, we've sent along the fabrics that are currently in stock along with descriptions of the new ones that are coming. Two neutrals are treated with a water resistant finish for those who are looking to make a traditional trench. The others are fashion colors. Below is a pic to whet your appetite. R to L Blue Sage Cotton Satin, Bright Lemon (poly/spandex), Stone Cotton/Nylon, Black Cotton Tricotine, Light Khaki Cotton/Nylon, Party Pink Cotton Twill.