Customizable coat wraps up baby, too Vicki Farmer Ellis
Dear Vicki: My baby was born in September, and I am carrying him around in a fabric baby carrier that keeps him close to me. With cold weather I find it difficult to keep myself warm — none of my coats allow for my situation. So, can you find me a simple (because I want almost immediate help) coat that will help? Thanks. — Alicia J. Dear Alicia: I found a super pattern for you! It’s Butterick 6301, and it has amazing options. It zips in front and has convertible wearing pieces that let you have extra fabric in front when you are carrying baby but are removable when not. It looks very quick to make and can be made out of wool or fleece. It can even be just a vest.
I can only show you one view here, but it can have a collar or a hood; it can be maternity wear or post-maternity wear that allows you to carry baby, as you say. It is quite customizable. Look for it anywhere patterns are sold. One more thing ... it has big pockets!
Dear Vicki: My mother loved to sew and had the bad habit of buying much more fabric and sewing supplies than she ever got even close to using. I sew too, and I have inherited all her sewing stuff. How can I judge what is still good? For example, I have lots of thread, bags of ultrasuede, wool, silks and linens. Thanks for your help. — Carole P.
Dear Carole: First of all, fabric is pretty easy to assess. Pull on it, abuse it a bit, and you will know if it is still good enough to work with. Thread can sometimes be revived if it is dried out by putting it in a steam bath for a day.
Anything with adhesive like fusible interfacings, marking pens, etc. don’t last long. Again, test them out before you use these things on anything you care about.
Patterns last forever — at least certain details that you can transfer to another pattern, like collars, sleeves and pockets. Sometimes things are just too out of style, and in that case, find a theater company. They are often really grateful to have period items. Things like hats, shoes and handbags also.
Each week I share a reader’s tip and thank him or her with a set of 100 fine English handsewing needles from John James. This week the tip is from Carolyn Eritz, of Portsmouth, Va. She writes:
“When pant legs pucker on the side seams it is caused by stitching from the waist down to the hem. This can be corrected easily by stitching from the lower edge up. I’ve noticed this not only in cheap clothing but in custom expensive garments.” Send tips and questions to Vicki Farmer Ellis, P.O. Box 220463, St. Louis, MO 63122, or email vickifarmerellis@swbell.net.