DMK Peter pan Collar Coat Sew-A-Long: Day 2

Did you get yesterday's sewing completed? I hope so! If not no worries, the great thing about this sew-a-long is that it will be on this blog ready when you are. If you click on the "Tutorials" tab at the top of the page, I've added a sew-a-long category. When this sew-a-long is completed I will add a handy little link button so it will be easy to find whenever you need to.

I read in yesterday's comments that some of you were sewing and sewing and actually completed your coats! Yay YOU! I hope you'll still follow along, and maybe I can share some tips that will make things easier for next time. If you have already completed your coat please add it to our Sew-A-Long Flickr Group! I know Karen would love it if you added it also to her Dear My Kids Flickr Group.

Ok, let's get going on today's sewing. We are going to finish up the outside of your coat and then I'm going to leave you homework to also do the lining. The lining will sew up so much quicker than the outside because you will already have done it once. I swear it will!

Ok, this is where we left off yesterday. Look familiar? The next step in your pattern will have you sew up the side seams. DON'T do that! Ok, well you can if you want, but I'm going to show you an easier way to attach the sleeves.

Take each of your sleeve pieces, fold in half lengthwise and make a mark or notch at the top of the sleeve where the fold is. Now, when you fold the sleeve in half you will see it does not match up along the curve as one side is curvier than the other. Mold the edges so that they fit together as I'm doing with my fingers before making your mark. This will ensure that your mark happens on the top of the curve. This mark is going to help you when you attach the sleeve.

Pin your sleeve in the arm opening of your coat. You want the little notch you made to line up with the shoulder seam of your coat. The curviest part of your sleeve should attach to the front of your coat. Now this photo may remind you of when we attached the back yoke to the back piece. You want to attach the sleeve in the same way. Sew it to the body of your coat with the curvy sleeve on the bottom! Follow the curve of the sleeve, ignore the curve of the body!

When you've sewn your sleeve on this is what you will have. See the side seam of the coat and the long part of the arm will remain unsewn.

Another view. To the left is the coat front, then the arm, then the back. Sew the other sleeve on in the same way.

Now, match up the front and back piece right sides together and starting at the hem sew all the way from the bottom of the coat straight up through to the bottom of the sleeve. You have now attached the entire side of your coat. Do this on the other side.

Could it be? We have completed the outside part of our coat (you are looking at mine inside out)!!

Now, my friends,  put this aside and start at the beginning and take your lining pieces and complete the lining.
I guess I was wrong when I said yesterday would be the heaviest sewing day.

When you are done your lining you should have this. Almost like two coats, exactly the same size.

Stay tuned tomorrow and we'll attach our lining to our outside. Don't worry it isn't as confusing as it looks! :)

If you have any questions or comments leave them. I read every one of them and will do my best to answer them in the comments section, or in tomorrow's post. If you left a question yesterday and don't see the answer check yesterday's comments.

So, what did you neglect yesterday so that you could sew? 

See you tomorrow! :)