Ok, I’m really jumping the gun on this on WAY too soon – but I’m excited! So excited! See, Landon & I scored a really great deal on plane tickets (think 2 round-trip tickets for under $200! I KNOW.), so we have decided to book a trip to Chicago in September! We were originally tossing around the idea of going to Riot Fest, although now I’m so enraptured with the idea of just being in the city, I really don’t care about the festival so much anymore (especially since I’ve already seen like all those bands. Except Built to Spill, waaah).
Anyway, this is relevant to some of your interests because I know there are a few of y’all who live in Chicago and/or the surrounding areas (I’m looking at you, Liz & Tasha!), and I thought I would stick my feelers out & see if anyone was interested in a little meet-up? Maybe we can get some coffee (or adult beverages, no judgement here!) and then squeal over fabric together? I definitely have the Textile Discount Outlet & Vogue Fabric Store on my must-see list đ
So let me know in the comments if you’d be interested in something like this – make sure you include your email address too, so I can email you closer to the date! I’m really not familiar with Chicago AT ALL – this will be my very first time visiting – so please feel free to drop some suggestions my way. The dates we have booked are 9/13 – 9/17, I’m thinking a Saturday or Sunday to meet up, depending on what is open on those days.
In an attempt to keep this relevant to everyone’s interests – let’s discuss this piece of fabric I bought!
I’ve been pining over Megan’s cream/black plaid coat for a few weeks now. I just love it so much! And I think it would be fun to make.
[image credit: Tom & Lorenzo]
Unfortunately, I am having a devil of a time sourcing the fabric. I assumed it would be easy – that is a pretty classic looking plaid – but apparently no. Not in coating fabric, anyway. My dreams: Shattered.
Then I picked this stack of wool fabric up at Goodwill a couple of weeks ago
Look in the back – red plaid! Is it fate? I THINK SO!
I even found the perfect dupe pattern- Simplicity 2311:
Fate!
I’m hoping the red plaid won’t look too garish as a coat – I originally grabbed it because I thought it would make a cute little jumper-type dress (honestly didn’t even make the fabric connection until a couple of days later!). What do you think? Obviously, I don’t shy away from red – but I also don’t want to look like a lumberjack đ
I have 3 yards of this stuff and it’s over 60″ wide, so I should have enough to cut a shorter coat on the bias. I’d like to make the lapels & pocket flaps with a really short pile black velour. Oh God, why am I planning my winter coat in JUNE? Lord help me.
Totally unrelated, but today is Amelia’s birthday! She’s 5!
Happy birthday, Amelia! I totally love you, even if you are the biggest bitch I’ve ever met âĽ
LLADYBIRD 
YES! Let’s meetup for sure! You can email me at tasha {at} bygumbygolly {dot} com. And feel free to toss and Chicago-y questions my way, too! Yay!
And btw, the plaid will be awesome. I own 5 (bright) (three red) plaid coats that I can think of off the top of my head. Just sayin’.
Oh yay! I was hoping you would want to meet up đ So excited!
Re: cream plaid fabric – could you maybe buy it plain and top-stitch the black lines on yourself (post cutting out perhaps – to make it easier to handle the big fabric pieces) đ You could have fun get the right kind of thread (topstitch ? embroidery? )?
Haha, I think I would rip my hair out trying to do that kind of top-stitching! I’m so bad at keeping decorative stitching (like quilting) straight. SO BAD lol đ
Ahhh well đ – here’s hoping Chicago yields something special fabric-wise instead đ
Ahhh… was browsing and found this great post on checks/plaid types: http://collegiatepreps.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/style-guide-know-your-shirt-fabric.html and I think the cream/black paid you are after is called a Window pane check, another similar pattern is Tattersall Check – those names might help you search the web for the perfect fabric to match your inspiration photo đ
Ahhh, I knew it had a different name than just plaid. Thank you for this, very helpful! đ
I wish my cat would let me use her as a shelf! Quite jealous.
Happy birthday to Amelia! Very excited you are going to Chicago. I’ve never been myself but it’s on my (long) list of places-to-see! As far as fabric your red is awesome and will make a lovely coat! But seriously – you got a stack of fabric at Goodwill?? I need a Goodwill like that!
I honestly am starting to wonder if I made some kind of pact with the Devil & forgot about it – because that Goodwill ALWAYS has fabric when I go in… and it’s always cheap as hell (that whole stack – like 8 yards – was $7!). Just that particular Goodwill, though. I mean, I’m not complaining!
i don’t blog, but i do live in Chicago and I do sew. Unfortunately, i will be out of town when you are in, but i will be happy to share any details about the windy city you would like to know. Enjoy your visit — it’s a great time of year to come here (so why am i leaving? it happens).
Aw, bummer! Maybe next time? đ
I have heard September is a lovely time of year to visit, which makes me excited because it is HOT AS FUCK here in Nashville until like… November. A little break from the oppressive heat will be nice!
from one cat owning seamstress to another i love your birthday wish to amelia. happy birthday amelia.
I love Chicago. I only been there once and just for a 2 day stay, but I did fall in love. The energy in the air was my kind of energy. I hope you have a great time. If you are into ‘adult drinks’ and don’t have a lot of time doing tourist stuff. At night, head over to the John Hancock Center and grabbed some delicious cocktails at the Signature Lounge at the 96th. The view is amazing.
I see nothing wrong with planning your winter coat in June. I am still planning mines. I only have the fashion fabric. Still need lining, buttons, interfacing…. I slightly have in the back of head that there should be a sew-along for the Abbey Coat, but I might sew to slow to host one.
Oh, i love me some fancy cocktails. I’ll keep that place in mind, thank you!
I think the best part about planning a coat early is that we have plenty of time to buy the materials – and spread them out so it hurts less đ I’m not sure what color lining I’m going to drop in mine, probably black (so boring). I considered sewing the Abbey Coat but the Megan Coat has seriously stolen my heart. The Abbey Coat is totally beautiful, though, I can’t wait to see what people make of them when the weather cools down a bit!
I love how tolerant your cat is! Look at her letting you put stuff on her – even if she is a bitch, đ
Love the red plaid! It will be super cute! Wish I could meet up with you in Chicago– I grew up nearby and I miss it! Stuff your face with Italian beef for me! Sooooo goooooooood…
Alkaline Trio!!!! I want to see them again.
Happy Birthday, Amelia!! đ
I don’t live in Chicago anymore, but you should definitely hit up The Brown Elephant in Andersonville if you’re on the north side of the city. It’s the coolest thrift store in this massive burnt-out old theater. I miss it daily, for reals. Have fun!
Oh god, that sounds amazing. Duly noted, thanks!
I’m a Chicago girl and I would love to meet up! None of my friends sew and they do not understand my fabric and vintage pattern obsessions.
Yeah! Expect an email from me in a couple of months đ
I’ve had two torties, Dolly and Moo. They were both ladies of – shall we say – great character! I loved them both dearly and still miss them.
The coat will look fab.
Wooohooo! Let me know if you need any advice on places to go/things to see. đ I’m soo available for coffee or adult beverages. đ
That mega fabric store is not open on Saturday btw, so if you’re here during the weekend they’re open on Sunday. The fancy-schmancy place is Fishman’s which is open on Saturday and not Sunday. Vogue Fabrics is the general run of the mill place open both days. đ
Oh yay!! Looks like I’ll be planning my fabric shopping to cover all of Sunday, then >:)
I’ve never heard of Fishman’s; I just googled it & I think I just swooned a little bit.
Fishmans is expensive! LIke $25 (and up up up) a yard, but it’s the best quality in the city. They have a sale wall which I shop but it’s THE place for silks & lace.
I forgot to mention…. Amelia can’t be a total B since she allows you to store your notions on her. hehehe I love how her front paws are all tucked in.
With your figure and the cut of the coat I think you’ll steer well clear of the lumberjack look. Should be quie cool, looking forward to seeing what youakw! And DO post lots of meetup pics!
Hi, I just started reading your blog. Now I’m a middle aged woman (is 56 still middle age?) who grew up in Chicago and spent hours and hours at Vogue Fabrics. When I started reading about your trip, I thought “she has to go to Vogue.” It is a mere shadow of its former self, at least when I visited 2 years ago. Now living in Tasmania Australia. Still wishing for nice fabric stores. Do you a great time and I love reading about your sewing adventures. Very inspiring.
Oh my gosh, you will love chicago! I live in chicago and vogue is a must to shop, they have a wide variety of fabric at a great price. There are so meny great places to go in chicago like six flags, navy pier and the shed Aquarium. Enjoy your time in chicago!
So it’s hot as f*** and you are thinking winter coats? That’s interesting cos it’s cold and rainy as hell here and I’m thinking dream summer wardrobe incl. Bikini and trying not to think winter coats….maybe my escapist sewing is going too far? I don’t reckon you’d look like a lumberjack at all esp with a style like that…maybe if you chose a sheepskin collar with some leather binding it might be too butch….chicago sounds ace too…vogue outlet, for real???
I think that if you do the black collar section thing, like in the pictures, you’ll easily escape looking like a lumberjack, and red is such a nice color for winter- I feel like it adds a little psychological warmth on top of the actual heat it holds in…
Also- what do you think of those hats? Amazing, I think.
Oh I’m so jealous of your upcoming trip! I hope you have a great time (and take lots and lots of pictures!)
Usually I just lurk but I saw this and thought of you http://www.ebay.com/itm/70s-Brown-white-windowpane-plaid-Dress-40-33-40-/380415906835?pt=Vintage_Women_s_Clothing&hash=item58928e1413#ht_1477wt_1154. Could maybe do a recon on it make it what you want? Also, I LOVE Chicago and used to visit a couple times a year. If you’re into delicious burgers try Kuma’s. That is always a must when I go!
Well, now that just makes me want a windowpane check trenchcoat hahaha. It is really gorgeous! And I AM into delicious burgers, so thank you for the recc!
That last sentence made me laugh so much!
Oh! I’ll be in Chicago on the same days but in July đŚ Would be cool to be able to meet! So I’ve planned to go to the Fabric Outlet in Pilsen : http://www.yelp.com/biz/textile-discount-outlet-chicago It looks like a great place to score cool textiles!