Escaping with my cocoon coat!

My handmade collection has a new addition, a silk cocoon coat by Ralph Pink. This coat is probably the most ambitious garment I've ever made both technically and time-wise: it took me 10 weeks to complete.

Since I've discovered and tried to sew Ralph Pink's patterns, he's become one of my favourite indie pattern designers. Why? His collections are very modern and edgy. Besides, the instructions are super clear and, accompanied by detailed technical drawings, are super nice to work with.

For the execution of this coat, I used 4.5 metres of sand-washed silk as the fashion fabric, 2 metres of silk parachute for the lining and approximately 1.5 metres of silk organza for the underlining.

The creative process included hours of hand sewing. I used tailor tacks to transfer all of the pattern pieces onto the silk, catch-stitched most of the seam allowances to the silk organza and also attached the sleeves' lining by hand.

A couple of hours went into top stitching the sleeves and back panel. Unfortunately, it does not show very well in the photos.

I've never worked with so much fabric before, including very long pattern pieces and also pieces with many corners.

I probably don't have to tell you that while working on the coat, I went through different phases from liking it to hating it to loving it again. Now that the coat is done, I think it's kind of chic and makes a statement.

By the way, the pair of jeans I am wearing is my first attempt at the Jamie Jeans. As I explained in my previous post, I did not like this pair because of the fabric's quality. But hey, they are pretty wearable!

Last but not least, I wanted to update you on my personal situation. After spending six months in London, I've decided that it's not my cup of tea. So next week I'll fly over to Dublin! Thankfully, I was able to find a new role within my company which definitely helps when you start your life in a new country. EXCITED!!!!!

I used to live in Dublin for three years before I moved to Tokyo. Before that, I did not appreciate my life in Dublin to the fullest, but at this stage, I feel that Dublin has a much better quality of life than London. So, I am really looking forward to the move and unpacking boxes!

And if, by any chance, you are a sewer or a blogger from Ireland, please do contact me! It'd be so much fun to sew and hang out together!

I'll see you in a month or so!