Whew.
Copied out my basic princess sloper, added ease, copied some details from the Vogue pattern and ran up a muslin - which doesn't sound like much four hours' work, but there you go.
Tried on the muslin, decided that I'd added too much ease in the back, as I rather suspected I would. Also decided to hell with the double-breasted closure, I was going to do a center-front opening with a faux double-breasted look, as I rather suspect Tennant's coat is. Ever see him wear it closed? Exactly. Besides, I need to save yardage. I'm still not sure I'll have enough as it is...
Tweaked seams to take in the too-much ease in back - managing to get the cut a bit closer to the rather dramatic lines of the Vogue pattern. Hemmed and hawed about doing the same in front but, really, the fit there is good. I had to gentle the side-front curve as it was a little too roomy, even for my bust, but that only shaved off an eighth of an inch, or so.
Took a tiny bit in at the armscye in the back, as it was too big for the sleeve provided with the Vogue pattern and, honestly, that was a bit big, already (the perils of a plus-sized pattern when one is, um, plus sized in an inconsistent manner). Tapered sleeve, slightly - probably a drafting no-no, but I like it better - and knocked a good three inches off the length. Along with short little legs, I have short little arms, it seems.
Spent FAR too much time redrawing the line for the opening of the coat. Going from the overlapped front of a double-breast opening to something more like a regular overcoat changed the angle of the neckline, which, in turn requires a change to the lapels (which were by now FAR too wide) and, oy, three rounds of back-and-forth between checking seamlines and tweaking the width of the collar and lapels...
But! I think I've got it right. I won't really know until I take apart the muslin and re-sew it, but that won't be too aggravating - just trimming off bits here and there.
As I say, not much for about six hours' work - total - but I'm actually very pleased with it. I have high hopes for the next muslin.
The remainder of my evening shall be spent with the freshly baked batch of cookies my Swain was kind enough to make before dinner time and The Fellowship of the Ring on the DVD player.
Tried on the muslin, decided that I'd added too much ease in the back, as I rather suspected I would. Also decided to hell with the double-breasted closure, I was going to do a center-front opening with a faux double-breasted look, as I rather suspect Tennant's coat is. Ever see him wear it closed? Exactly. Besides, I need to save yardage. I'm still not sure I'll have enough as it is...
Tweaked seams to take in the too-much ease in back - managing to get the cut a bit closer to the rather dramatic lines of the Vogue pattern. Hemmed and hawed about doing the same in front but, really, the fit there is good. I had to gentle the side-front curve as it was a little too roomy, even for my bust, but that only shaved off an eighth of an inch, or so.
Took a tiny bit in at the armscye in the back, as it was too big for the sleeve provided with the Vogue pattern and, honestly, that was a bit big, already (the perils of a plus-sized pattern when one is, um, plus sized in an inconsistent manner). Tapered sleeve, slightly - probably a drafting no-no, but I like it better - and knocked a good three inches off the length. Along with short little legs, I have short little arms, it seems.
Spent FAR too much time redrawing the line for the opening of the coat. Going from the overlapped front of a double-breast opening to something more like a regular overcoat changed the angle of the neckline, which, in turn requires a change to the lapels (which were by now FAR too wide) and, oy, three rounds of back-and-forth between checking seamlines and tweaking the width of the collar and lapels...
But! I think I've got it right. I won't really know until I take apart the muslin and re-sew it, but that won't be too aggravating - just trimming off bits here and there.
As I say, not much for about six hours' work - total - but I'm actually very pleased with it. I have high hopes for the next muslin.
The remainder of my evening shall be spent with the freshly baked batch of cookies my Swain was kind enough to make before dinner time and The Fellowship of the Ring on the DVD player.