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Sunday 5 November 2017

The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940

Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940

Hello handsome!

A while back I made this coat for my husband Robin using  Vogue 8940 . Like many wonderful things in life however, there is a story behind the creation and this coat's story begins over 40 years ago. Intrigued? READ ON!


Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940


ONCE UPON A TIME ...

It was 1974 in a small country town in Ireland, just one year before my husband was born.

My Irish father-in-law, having migrated to Australia in 1967 as a 24 year old, now ventured back to Ireland with his young wife and first born son to visit his homeland.

My father-in-law Geoffrey comes from Newry, a city of Northern Ireland which is 55km from Belfast, 108km from Dublin and one of Ireland's oldest towns.

My in-laws Geoffrey and Verra on their wedding day and yes, they are actually that good looking.

Down a long country road in the back hills of Warren Point was an old Mill with a craft store attached. It was here that Geoffrey and Verra decided to visit.

In a nice little twist of fete they were served by the son of Geoffrey's old neighbour.
Here my mother-in-law purchased four metres of the most beautiful, hand-loomed donegal tweed which would make the journey all the way back with them to Australia.

DONEGAL TWEED is a hand-woven fabric that has been made for centuries in County Donegal.

Donegal produces its tweed using local materials. The wool is sourced from the many sheep in the hills and bogs of Donegal, and the dyes which give the tweed it's distinctive bright flecks of colour are made using indigenous plants such as blackberries, fuchsia and moss.

Isn't that just wonderful?!! In a time when we barely know what's in our fabric, let alone where it came from this fabric is so authentic and resourceful and a little slice of Ireland itself.

Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940


FAST FORWARD FORTY YEARS, a few more babies, some grand babies and a daughter in law (me!!).

I had decided I would make a winter coat for Robin. Dutiful and patient, my photographer has suffered through all of my photo shoots and yet never asked me to make him anything!

Armed with a pattern, I told my mother in law about my idea of making Robin a coat. Struck by sudden inspiration, my generous mother in law retrieved from her stash that beautiful donegal tweed purchased all that time ago in Ireland. Once I had seen the fabric and heard the history, nothing else would do.

THE PATTERN Vogue 8940 is a lined pea-coat with double-breasted fastening, a notched collar, forward shoulder seams and no side seams.

It features two piece sleeves, inside welt pockets and button fastenings on the outer pockets. I love the semi-hidden button fastenings; gives the jacket a subtle sophistication.

I top stitched all the seams which helped flatten bulky seam allowances and give a nicer finish.


Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940


We have just been relieved of Winter here in Australia; a season that witnessed this coat in constant rotation.

SEEING ROBIN WEARING IT, and hearing the compliments he gets around town fills me with a satisfied happiness that reminds me that sewing for others is actually pleasurable after all #lessonlearned.

Thanks to Robin for being such a good support and an excellent model. I like to imagine I can hear a slight Irish melody to your voice when you wear this lovely coat.

And lastly, a very special thank you to Geoff and Verra for letting me cut into their little slice of Ireland.

Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940
Julia Bobbin - The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940

38 comments:

  1. What a lovely story, and what a lovely coat. It is all the more special because of this.

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    1. Thank you! It’s so wonderful to be able to include robins heritage in a garment that he loves so much :)

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  3. A wonderful story Julia, as beautifully crafted as your deft handiwork.Robin is a fine model and his parents of course, take the cake.

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    1. Thank you so much Pam! I am truely a lucky girl to have such wonderful in laws and of course a wonderful husband :)

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  4. It's a wonderful story and a wonderful coat!
    Ines

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  5. What a beautifully crafted story! The coat is truly gorgeous. Wishing Robin "health to wear it", as we say here in Donegal. Come and visit sometime!

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    1. Oh how we would live to Clare! It is absolutely on our ‘to-do’ list. Hopefully we shall make it there in the next few years. I think it would be really special for my sons to see where their family comes from. Thank you so much for your kind comment!

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    2. I hope your dream comes true Julia!

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  6. Its fabulous, and what a gorgeous story. I’m sure your mother in law is delighted to see you make something so beautiful for her son.

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    1. Thank you! Well with a son as handsome as what she has there is no way she could have been dissapointed :) thanks for your kind comment!

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  7. HUBBA FREAKING HUBBA!!!! 🎧 every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man 🎧

    Sorry, let me compose myself. Gorgeous, every bit of it! And what a wonderful backstory.

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  8. I used this same pattern to make a coat for my husband. Yours looks great, and the story of the fabric is so cool!

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    1. Oh how fantastic! It’s angreat pattern isn’t it!!

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  9. Love your story, your husband's coat and that fabric! My ancestry is Irish so I gobbled this all up like the most delicious meal in the world :)

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    1. Haha! Oh how wonderful :) yes ancestory is something that has become more meaningful the older I get and especially now that is have two boys of my own. I too get warm and fuzzy when I hear other people’s stories!

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  10. Lovely story 💕 I love Ireland and anything Irish especially the Guinness 😂 The coat looks very professional.

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    1. 😂😂 well the Irish do know how to make a good drink! 😂 thank you for your kind comment!

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  11. I love the story and I love the coat on your husband. No wonder he wore it all winter. It’s a coat made with love. It shows love of his wife who sewed it so impeccably and the love of his parents who gifted the wonderful fabric.

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    1. Thank you Karen and for your lovely feedback. It really is special to have such a connection with a garment and for his parents to feel sentimental when they see it too! ❤️

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  12. This looks great! I love makes that have a backstory, I hope that this can be handed down to your sons someday too :)

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    1. Oh that would be so wonderful! Hopefully they have good taste like their father and are happy to wear it!!

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  13. Oh my! I’m not sure I could have cut it, as I would have been too fearful! You’ve certainly done the Donegal tweed justice and your Robin looks well pleased. What a fabulous story and hopefully the garment can be used more than one generation. Very well done!

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    1. Thank you for such a kind comment!! Yes I must admit, I had anxiety cutting into the fabric! I had some relief knowing there was four metres of it. And I certainly made a Muslim first to eliminate any disasters! So glad it worked out!

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  14. Aww. It's a freaking awesome coat, Julia. He looks smashing in it :)

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    1. Thanks so much Mel! Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday :)

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  15. Awe!!!!! What a treasure! The coat and the story are beautiful!!!!!!

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  16. I’m amazed you were able to cut into this. I would have been so terrified that I’d ruin it, that it would still be unmade! Good for you. It’s stunning and he looks fabulous in it. I’m not surprised he’s getting all the compliments!

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  17. What a beautiful coat and what an amazing story. Love it

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  18. That is one fantastic coat. Love the story behind the fabric and it definitely has a northern UK vibe to it. You've reminded me I have some printed silk from Japan in the late 40's that my grandmother passed to my mum and now to me. I'm equal parts scared to cut into it and scared the moths will get it!
    You nailed this coat and nice modelling to Mr Bobbin.

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  19. This coat looks amazing and has such a wonderful story behind it no wonder it keeps making you smile :)

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  20. How absolutely, perfectly marvelous. You've done a sewing job that's worthy of such a glorious fabric. I'd've been scared spitless to cut into it, but you've done it justice. Kudos!!!!

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  21. Standing ovation! For the coat and the history.

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  22. You did a fantastic job making this coat and I just love the family story. I have to say that your handsome husband looks awfully proud to be wearing his coat and I'm sure it's partly because you made it. What a sensational gift!

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