This coat is the most accurate Fencible coat I have ever made. The request was basically for a coat that meets Parks Canada standards. This means that all visible stitching had to be done by hand. There are 11 yards of lacing on a Fencible coat, which makes for a lot of hand sewing itself. Add to that 12 button holes, 30 buttons, as well as sewing the pocket flaps down and the cuffs up. The lining is also sewn in by hand. While working on this coat, it sometimes felt like it would never end. I can now say that I am so pleased with the final result, I would almost consider remaking Hubby's coat the same way.
This is only the third time I have done hand-sewn button holes, and I am getting more consistent. I dare say the Third one from the top is the one I was happiest with, though the picture is of the fourth from the top. I have been told that unlike machine-sewn holes, a hand-sewn hole will not stretch over time. I do like the way a hand-sewn hole looks, but machine-sewn button holes are certainly faster.
I have always used the machine with a zig-zag stitch to sew the edges of the pocket flaps and cuffs down. The hand-sewn edges have a somewhat softer look to them, though. Even with the amount of time it takes to hand sew, Think this is my favourite regimental coat I have made to date. At the very least, the final result was most gratifying.
