A Finished Bella Quilt Coat

I should have done paperwork yesterday afternoon, but by the time I got home from town—I went to our new Costco (see below)—I didn’t feel like sitting at the computer. Two hours was all it took to insert the zipper and sew the lining to the body of the Bella Quilt Coat, and now it is finished:

Eh. I have mixed feelings about this pattern. The size range goes from 1 to 10, or bust measurements of 33" to 51". I made the size 5 for the shop sample. If I were going to make this for myself, I would make a size 8 and lengthen the jacket by at least 3". This pattern is not near the top of my personal sewing queue, however. I have some quibbles with the way the upper bodice and sleeves are drafted, and I would prefer that the contrast yoke extend down a few more inches.

[I’m not crazy about that pink zipper, either, but it was the best color match of the zipper colors offered.]

The coat is going to the shop today. I also got the sleeves put into the lining of the Chloe Coat yesterday morning before I left for town. That coat is almost ready to assemble. Some time this weekend, I need to sit down and prioritize my current project list so I don’t get distracted by new fabric and patterns.

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A package was waiting for me when I arrived home on Tuesday. I have spent many wonderful hours with my college roommate’s family over the past 40 years. Her mom—affectionately known as “Mom Louise”—sent me this beautiful ornament, but I plan to hang it in my sewing room where I can see it all year and think of her:

I was known as the “tall, dark-haired girl” (my roommate was shorter than me and blonde), although that dark hair has some gray in it now. 😉 Thank you, “Mom Louise!”

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Kalispell is now on its third Costco in 30 years. The first one opened even before DD#2 was born, in 1997. We outgrew it AND the second one. The third one is located a few miles north of our previous store and it is huge. I think it’s probably four times the size of the original Costco.

I was a bit disoriented while shopping there. It’s laid out like the ones in Seattle, so I wasn’t completely lost, but I kept thinking I was at the Shoreline or Alderwood stores where I shop when I visit DD#2.