Testing, testing, 1,2,3 and continuing

The last few days I've been practicing bound buttonholes and applied welt pockets. It's been years since I've put a bound buttonhole in anything. (This is NOT like riding a bike)!! Applied welt pockets are welt pockets with a flap. It's a difficult pocket and if not perfect, can look REALLY bad.

The project I want to use these techniques on is this cute coat--McCall 5480. Here it is:


This looks like an evening coat. I'm going to lengthen it and lengthen the sleeves to the wrist, making it a day coat. The fabric is what I call "maize"--a dull yellow color, of unknown man-made fiber. I got the fabric off the free grab-table at a wonderful sewing club to which I belong.

The coat has large buttons, which is why the need for the bound butonholes. It also has applied welt pockets. The pattern directions for the pocket are sparse and useless. I used these books for instruction for the buttonholes and pockets:




I found a lot of information on the Internet also--Sigrid's Sewing Tutorials. Thanks to those of you who post such detailed instructions.

I've made bound buttonholes until I can do them in my sleep, and honestly--they look pretty good! Today, I had a "lightbulb moment" in regard to the applied welt pockets. They still need some tweaking, but I have the idea now. Here's one of my tests:

Maybe I'll work on them tonight. DH is going to band practice tonight, so I'll have a few hours of alone time to think about what I'm trying to do.