craftgrrl | This weekend's projects

Since we're approaching the time to switch the old wardrobe over to summer stuff, I figured it was about high time to finish up the 'winter' clothing that's been sitting half done in my sewing pile.
I present:

First we'll do the kaftan, which I finally did something with due to my finally getting a proper steamer.
Purchased at a local thriftstore for $1.00 since it was a gorgeous dark blue high pile velvet with all this lovely embroidery.
Of course after washing it the velvet and embroidery got all flat and crushed so it got tucked away until inspiration struck.

Pulled it completely apart since it had been all hand sewn, a very long time ago (see the threads starting to fall apart despite being heavy duty button grade) and turned it into a ankle length straight skirt.

It's got side slits that come to slightly above knee length.
I also lined it (only up until the slits) so it lays nicer when worn, because I have a whole bolt of navy blue crepe that I never use, and also because the velvet sheds little hairs.

~It only had embroidery on the front~
Two darts for the back and slightly smaller darts for the front for a tailored fit (I really was cutting it close....no pun intended.....with the fabric I had to work with, I only took about 8" in around the waist total.) Hidden side zip and hook side closure.....

Red zipper since it was all I had on hand. It doesn't really show too much when worn, besides I rather like the little pop of color on the side. I also used the sleeves for the waist band having what used to be the embroidered cuffs ending where it closes for an added flair.......

And now for the coat.
This is actually made off a 'Anne Klein' for Vogue pattern I got for free.

It being free it was also quite a few sizes larger than what I normally wear (I'm a 8, it was a 18) but since it was a sports coat pattern I figured I could use it for an outdoor jacket with room for sweaters in the winter.
Made of a green & blue green plaid with metallic brown thread shot through. Dark brown cotton velvet collar, carved walnut buttons, and some embroidered 'vine' appliques I got on clearance at Michael's (I was going to just hand embroider the collar with vines, the appliques just helped get ride of one step) Lined in a dark green poly crepe.

I moved the buttons further down than what the pattern had and omitted the front faux pockets.
The only thing I would do differently in the future would be interface the sleeves too as they're a bit mushy looking.

The back has a slit, I also added on the back 'belt' as the seams did something funny despite my clipping and ironing like mad, the belt makes it lie nicer when worn......
Of course the coat looks much better on a human vs my crooked mannequin, it has a nice 'A' line thing happening that it doesn't do on my mannequin.....maybe I'll post pics wearing the skirt and jacket at some point. But, I wasn't feeling terribly photo friendly this morning, so this is what you get ;D
The overall look I went with making this coat was inspired by the film The woods
It's got Bruce Campbell!
And that great blue, green, brown tweed that I just had no idea what to do with....

That's all for now folks!