What Would Robin Wear

For my birthday my sister took me shopping. I of course love Macy's, so off we went. I found this ruffled jacket, INC brand. They only had one! And it was of course two sizes too big. So--I bought it anyway, knowing I could taylor it to fit my figure.

I was shopping around on www.Etsy.com and noticed these stunning jackets with a corset up the back. I knew I could do this in about 10 minutes. These jackets were selling for well over a hundred dollars.

The corset accentuates the waist and pulls the jacket tight to show off a curvy figure and it would look perfect for this ruffled jacket that was too big.

First I had to go find the metal corset bracket hooks. I found them at Walmart in a packet of four for .78 cents each.




I place the jacket flat on my counter island in the kitchen. This is where I do all my cutting.



I arrange the new hooks on the back, then mark the spot with sewing chalk.






I snip the chalk marks with the tip of the scisors.



I used a grosgrain ribbon to attach the hooks to the jacket. I sew the ends together first so it's easier to attach to the jacket.






I stick the ribbon through the new hole and stich the hole closed.





I decided to use six hooks. I stiched all six of them in. It literally took me 10 minutes to do.






When I finish I start to thread the ribbon through the new hooks.







And wha-la it's done and it fits great. Although that corset gets a lot of attention. It gets untied, and retied often from cheeky people pulling the ribbon. It's a fun way to make your jackets, coats, and shirts fit.

This is what I wore to my friends Christmas party this year. We had so much fun.

A couple months ago I saw this ruffel front coat at Macy's, I was in love. It was INC and extremly expensive. $199 to be exact! So, I decided to wait for a sale! When I went back to get it, POOF-it was gone! So I came home and searched for it on Ebay. Not only did I find it, it was only 30 bucks-brand new! So I bought it!




The only problem with the coat is that it has hook and eye closures. It was impossible to fasten those little hooks into the small eyes,and they wouldn't stay closed.






Sometimes I seriously do not understand what the designers are thinking. So I decided I would put a zipper in it.

I buy all my sewing hardware and thread and such at Walmart. A 24 inch zipper is $1.29 at Walmart. At the fabric store they are about four bucks. Make sure you buy a sports zipper, one that seperates at the bottom.

To start I lay the coat out flat and try and figure a way to install the zipper. I do not want to open all the seams and put this zipper in, I want to do it the easiest, quickest way possible.

The ruffels on the front of the coat are tacked/sewn down, so I have to open the small seams using the seam ripper.




Opening the ruffel placket will allow the fabric to lay flat and it will hide the new zipper seam.





I turned the coat inside out so that I can see where I can place my zipper.




I am going to place the zipper directly over the hook and eyes. I do not have to remove them as they will not be in the way of the new zipper.


I lay the zipper on the coat and start to pin the zipper down, while the zipper is still zipped.



Make sure you place the pins in the right direction. They are easier to remove when the ball or head of the pin is facing you. As you sew you can slide them out easier.





I unzip the zipper and I can now sew down the zipper.



Next I have to change the sewing machine foot to the zipper foot. You have to use a zipper foot in order to get close enough to the zipper to sew it down.





Next, I slowly stictch the zipper down and remove the pins as I go so the zipper stays in place.






In about 10 minutes I am done and look at my new seams.



I have to hand stitch the front ruffel placket back down.




And I am done. You can't even see the zipper.



The finished product. At my friends annual Christmas Party!