Marfy 1984 Coat

Here is the Marfy coat.  Unfortunately it has had to be demoted to the status of muslin because the fabric was just too unwieldy and thick to tailor the collar.  I tried four times to attach the collar without success and to be honest, by the time the facings were on, it would have been impossible to wear.  You might be able to tell from the way the pockets are so stiff on the first photo, just how thick this fabric really is.  I broke three size 16 upholstery needles attaching the pockets alone.  My machine is quite sensitive and to preserve itself in times of danger it just shuts itself down and says "uh oh, you don't wanna do that.  I'm just gonna have a sleep for a bit until you see some sense.  Turn me off and on again when you've got your brain back in gear and have remembered that I am a pedigree machine, not some semi industrial clunker."  Obviously the message is much more computer-ey and sensible, but the gist is pretty much as above.   Well I had four such episodes on the pockets plus two instances of the "put the presser foot down you moron... down I tell you" message.   Of course it was down, but the fabric was so thick the machine wasn't registering this fact.    I think you can also see from the photos that those fabulous sleeves don't have enough drape in them in this fabric. 

However, I sewed it up far enough to know that the pattern works well, fits well and I thought it looked rather good when worn.  It has real potential and I think I will make a proper version once I find the right fabric.     I tried it on with my day-sack over it (since I will need to carry the day-sack whilst wearing the coat) and amazingly it worked OK and didn't fight much with the sleeves.  In a softer fabric I think it would cease fighting altogether. 

So, I am counting this as a success.  Not least because I made only one alteration to the pattern; adding a little extra to the center back, which I achieved using a box pleat held closed for an inch at the back neck.  I thought this was in keeping with the style of the coat whilst still being easy to achieve.