Hey you!

I’m back and on track with my #2018MakeNine goals.

Although I have a couple of my nine makes already in the bag, today’s show and tell is my Truffle Coat by Pattern Designer Lara Sanner.  Last summer I sewed her inaugural women’s pattern, the Salt and Pepper Dress. I’ve since been looking forward to the next pattern in her line.

Lara Sanner, and others, have sewn both winter and raincoat versions of the Truffle Coat.  Me…I seem to be adverse to anything but down during our chilliest months. I just don’t love heavy {weighted} clothing. However beautiful, my lined wool coats never seem to get much wear.

So, does anybody remember my Birds on a Branch Minoru Jacket?  I have so much love for this make that is sadly beginning to show it’s age. I may not be ready to let it go but I am ready for another fun raincoat. It was sweet serendipity…I was musing on making another Minoru just when Lara Sanner released the Truffle Coat.

Once again, I returned to the home decor section of my local Fabricland. My mission…the same as four years ago. I wanted a bright, colourful outdoor rated fabric. This is not waterproof raincoat fabric. This is 100% polyester fabric rated stain and water resistant and it is marketed primarily for outdoor use {think patio furniture cushions}. The care recommendations are hand wipe or hand wash as needed. I choose to machine wash items made with this fabrication {I’ve used it for both clothing and soft furnishings}. I suspect it has some kind of protective finish which is being compromised with laundering but I’m okay with it. The fabric is crisp off the bolt and it becomes softer with wear and washing. The good news for me is that even with several washes my Birds on a Branch Jacket keeps me dry in moderately rainy weather.

By far, the hardest part of this make was pattern matching. I can hardly believe it…but I managed to line up the right front, the front placket and the left front pattern pieces. The way I do this is by cutting each pattern piece out one at a time, aligning it with the adjoining pattern piece, then cutting the next piece and so on. I also pattern matched the patch pockets and pocket flaps. It was pretty crazy but totally worth the eleventy million brain cells. Kidding. I truly think sewing is good for brain health.  There’s always some level of problem solving, or math requirements…not to mention all the yummy creative juices that flow when you sew.

The Truffle Coat can be made with or without the front placket {that’s the vertical center band that covers the zipper}. I’m seeing a bit of rippling where my zipper attaches and preferring to pay no attention to it…I freakin’ love this coat!

The Truffle Coat has an option for either an exposed hood or a collar. I chose the hood….it offers protection from unexpected rain showers.

Maybe difficult to see, but the front placket and the pocket flaps are secured with turquoise coloured snaps. I turned to Heather from The Pug and Needle and @heatherandthepugs for recommendations on snaps and she directed me to Snap Source….thank you so much Heather!  These snaps come in a variety of colours which…hello…sold me pretty much right away. Snap Source also sells a custom designed setting tool which I found helpful. I question their suitability for heavy fabrics, but for the two layers of medium weight upholstery poly that I was working with….perfect.

Okay…the requisite back view. The Truffle Coat is a simple A-line silhouette. There is a pattern hack for an inverted pleated back on their website that I look forward to trying. You can find it here.

The pattern includes easy to follow instructions for the ever magical bagged lining. I chose to add two inside patch pockets. You know. For stuff.

Yes, that is sun on my face. And no, there isn’t even a hint of a cloud in the sky. I actually had the intention of photographing my Truffle Coat on a moody rainy day..until it actually started raining. Turns out both photographer and model were 100% uninspired to go outside, least of all go outside and try and take photos.

All righty….thanks bunches for reading. If you have any questions about the Truffle Coat, feel free to ask in the comments section or pop me an email. Have a great day!