That is some SERIOUS work. I'm showing this to EVERYbody!!!
Meg | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 7:55 am | #

It's looking fab! You give hope to another handstitching hater. :grin:
Debbie Cook | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 8:11 am | #

HOTNESS! You are doing a fab job!!!!
Adrienne | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 8:32 am | #

I found that once I forced myself to do the hand-stitching I came to love it. Not only is it sort of Zen-like, but it works! Your jacket is looking fabulous!
dawn | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 9:42 am | #

Your jacket looks terrific & I'm following this with great interest! Handwork always pays off.
lmh | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 9:55 am | #

Your jacket is looking great! How many hours do you have in now? I think Marji said that she ended up putting over 60 hours into hers! Can't wait to see the finished jacket!
Carolyn | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 10:33 am | #

Looks great. I'm inspired. I see that you lined the pieces before stitching together. How do you handle the inside seams then?
Nora | 11.10.07 - 11:49 am | #

Carolyn,
I am not counting hours, but it's been A LOT! I've been working on it off and on for 2 weeks.

Nora,
The lining seams are handstitched.
erica b. | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 12:44 pm | #

Beautiful work!!!
TJ | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 1:03 pm | #

Erica .- Greetings from Barcelona (Spain). I learned about your blog through the blog Tany (Couture-Tricoc) and I by these words, send my admiration towards your work is wonderful and very professional. I remain at your disposal. A hug from Spain. Paco
PACO PERALTA | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 3:49 pm | #

Again, another wonderful job. You are such an inspiration and if I may, I'd like to ask your opinion. I just ordered Vogue V8294 and I want to make version A. I want a light & airy ivory skirt to wear with a tangerine tank I'm working on from Vogue Sp/Summer '06. What type of fabric would you recommend? I appreciate any advice you can provide.
Doris | 11.10.07 - 4:20 pm | #

your skill, dedication & work(wo)manship is really inspiring! I cant wait for the finished garment.
narcissaqtpie | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 4:31 pm | #

It is coming along beautifully!
Vicki | Homepage | 11.10.07 - 5:02 pm | #

Wow!!! You do incredible work. Very nice handstitching. Now, I'm waiting to see the finished product. Way to go!
Marty | 11.10.07 - 5:11 pm | #

It's gorgeous! And I can't wait to see it on you, because you always add the finishing touch with the way you wear your clothes. I hope that doesn't sound creepy, ha ha.
Katie | Homepage | 11.11.07 - 11:24 am | #

Erica, I must congratulate you on this! What a fabulous masterpiece! I can't wait to see the final result! You are doing wonderfully well!
Tany | Homepage | 11.11.07 - 12:55 pm | #

Erica I love it! And looks like you have figured out a detail that I didn't realize untill mine was finished, that is, on the vintage jackets there is never gap between the bottom of the lowest pocket and edge trim. The bottom pockets always rests right on the top of the trim.
Phyllis | Homepage | 11.11.07 - 12:57 pm | #

I love handsewing, but then, I'm a quilter. Now if I could just get past all the other part I might have a Chanel jacket in 15-20 years!
Roslyn Holcomb | Homepage | 11.11.07 - 1:52 pm | #

Beautiful work! Your jacket will be awesome when your done.
Cennetta | Homepage | 11.11.07 - 9:29 pm | #

All your hard work is paying off!!That jacket look great!!!!
gold | Homepage | 11.12.07 - 6:15 am | #

Erica, this looks gorgeous so far! I can't wait to see the jacket done
LauraLo | Homepage | 11.12.07 - 7:50 am | #

Wow just wow. What a labor of love. I am sure you are going to wear that fabulous jacket with pride after all of your hard work.
1969 | 11.12.07 - 8:47 am | #

The jacket is coming out great. I can't wait til I ge to that level of workmanship. I am still trying to conquer machine sewing.
Lashell | Homepage | 11.12.07 - 10:27 am | #

Your jacket looks great! I can't wait to see it when you're done!
Jackie | Homepage | 11.12.07 - 10:39 am | #

I'm glad you've developed patience for hand-sewing. True coutour contains very little machine sewing. But then, you don't wear a Chanel suit every day. THANKS for the pattern tutorial. I've returned to sewing, and your posts have been better than any online instructions. When's your manual coming out?
sahara | Homepage | 11.12.07 - 12:55 pm | #

It is looking so fabulous so far!! I just love handsewing and the attention to detail and precision you can get from it as opposed to machine sewing. Can't wait to see the finished jacket--its going to look so beautiful (and couture!!!).
Casey | Homepage | 11.12.07 - 1:33 pm | #

@Sahara,
Oh, I may not wear my jacket everyday, but I plan on wearing it ATLEAST once a week... I'm wearing it with trousers, skirts and jeans! After all of the hard work I'm putting into this, it's not going to hang in the closet looking pretty.
erica b. | Homepage | 11.12.07 - 1:36 pm | #

girl you are doing the damn thing, it is looking so fab!
mimi | Homepage | 11.12.07 - 1:53 pm | #

Patience is a virtue, especially in sewing. I salute you. Your work is so beautiful. Just sign me, a sewing hussy.
Cathy | Homepage | 11.13.07 - 9:42 am | #

What a gorgeous garment it will be and after reading your post I ran over to ebay and purchased a dress form, which I seriously needed to motivate me to sew better - your work is just fab.
Sheila | Homepage | 11.17.07 - 11:56 am | #

Erica, this jacket is looking great! I have a Chanel style jacket in my mind but have not started it yet! Yours is inspiring.
Linda L | Homepage | 11.18.07 - 10:48 am | #

i love all of your work. i love seeing this coming together quite perfectly i might add.

i have a question, do you have personalized tags for your clothing?
tanyetta | Homepage | 11.18.07 - 11:33 pm | #

Tanyetta,
I have some that I've had for a while that I always forget to sew in! LOL Sometimes I just monogram my initials in and be done.
erica b. | Homepage | 11.19.07 - 2:26 am | #