Yay! So yesterday I actually sat at my machine and started a Coco. Am I the last, in sewing circles, to have made a Coco? There are lots and lots of examples on this on Tilly’s Pinterest board.
Well, to be precise, I have not made a Coco, just started one.
But my first achievement, one I have been putting off for soooo long, was to re thread my overlocker with black thread. A successful task which actually took me minutes. So why had I procrastinated about this for weeks?
This is my material. I had picked it up at Fabworks, Dewsbury, last November.
And you can see the reverse of it here. Black. It’s a 2 layer jersey of some sort with a small amount of stretch in 2 directions. There is quite a weight to the fabric so I thought it would be perfect for this quite structured garment. It wasn’t expensive so I wish I’d bought more!
I have a history of boaty necklines so I used my upper bust measurement for the size and increased the width at the bust by 10mm at every side seam.
For those that don’t know, this is the Coco.
And this is how far I had got after an hour or so.
The image above is with the funnel neck up; but it can be folded over (see bottom photo)
I love it. The fabric is perfect. With a pair of leggings or jeans, I could see me wearing this an awful lot.
One problem. I have run out of fabric.
I originally bought the fabric for a sweatshirt with contrasting black sleeves. But I changed my mind. When I measured up for the Coco I was sure I was going to squeeze a couple of sleeves out of it too.
But no, just one sleeve.
I’m not sure about contrasting sleeves on a Coco.
My only hope is that there is still some of this fabric at the shop. We’ve a blogger’s meet up in Dewsbury in a couple of weeks time, organised by the fabulous Thimberlina. Fabworks is one shop we’ll be visiting. But Fabworks is a remnant shop so once it’s gone, it’s gone.
So my plan is to make it up with black sleeves and check the fit.
I could wait for a fortnight, fingers crossed, and hope the roll of fabric is still there. Or I might even just have a sneaky trip over this Saturday.
Fingers crossed.
Love, Lucie xx
That fabric’s stunning!! How about colour blocking the sleeves or having short sleeves?? Sleeveless would look good, but then you’d me limited when you could where it. How about putting it on Instagram and tagging fabworks so they can check if they’ve got any left. Oh, and thanks for the mention….😉
LikeLike
Yes, I did think of emailing them. Just trying to work out if I can get there and back in a stretched out lunch hour😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree with Thimberlina. You could do sleeveless and wear a long sleeved top under, then you could change colour sleeves 🙂
LikeLike
Unfortunately the fabric is quite warm so 2 layers would make it only suitable for really cold weather! But I shall make another one regardless now I know I like the fit on me.
LikeLike
Yes the fit is gorgeous, and who knows you may get lucky and find more of the same fabric. Best of luck
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fab fabric, such a shame you ran out! I think plain black sleeves would work really well but good luck finding some extra. It’s a great design, I wear mine loads 🙂
LikeLike
I definitely think it’ll be the first of many!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must be the only person to be unsuccessful with this pattern. I need to re measure and have another go. Yours is lovely. Check with them first if not black would look good. See you in Dewsbury K xXx
LikeLike
I have a couple of Boden tops just this shape so I hoped it would work. Fingers crossed I find some fabric. I’ll make another regardless.
LikeLike
Fingers crossed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating fabric. I am sure it will be very stylish when finished whatever happens re the sleeves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How frustrating! Hopefully you’ll be able to get some more, or at least something that goes. You’re not the last to make this as I have yet to make this pattern. I’ve got some fabric lined up for it I just need to buy the pattern!
LikeLike
You need this pattern. I love the way every single process is described. However you need to make more than one to justify it!
LikeLike
I really like the fabric but I see what you mean about it being too thick to be sleeveless. I’ve made a couple of colour block Coco dresses but I put the colour across the chest as well as on the short sleeves. However, I think the black would work with your top if you did short or even 3/4 length sleeves. Maybe you could put a band of black around the bottom too.
LikeLike
I made it up with the contrasting sleeves last night. My daughter was very rude about it! Said she wouldn’t be seen out with me. It looked a little ‘homemade’.
LikeLike
That fabric is gorgeous, I hope you can get some more. If you can’t, how about black sleeves with a deep cuff of the patterned fabric?
LikeLike
The black sleeves didn’t really work. It looked a little ‘homemade’, more of an afterthought. Fingers crossed for more fabric.
LikeLike
I’m sure I saw that fabric in there quite recently so fingers crossed they still have it for the meet up! I wore my coco dress to death last winter, need to make another one if I ever get through my to sew list! I think you could get away with the black sleeves though: how about with a matching black contrast panel on the main hem of the skirt?
LikeLike
Oh, I hope it’s still there. Time will tell. The black sleeves haven’t worked at all!
LikeLike
Oh dear, fingers crossed then!
LikeLike
Fabulous choice of fabric and I’m gutted for you that you’ve not got enough because it’s perfect for that style! It seems I’M the only one who hasn’t made a Tilly pattern yet…..
LikeLike
I think you are far too advanced to be satisfied with a Tilly pattern! And I’m sure you own similar patterns as all these independents are generally influenced by times gone by, however subconsciously.
The beauty of them is how they hold your hand through out the whole process.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh, how frustrating! I really hope you find some more fabric! The top is looking great so far though, and I’ve never made a Coco either…
LikeLike
I never thought it was for me but I’m coming to love the speed and satisfaction of stretch fabric garment makes.
LikeLike
Love the fabric. Definitely worth phoning or emailing a pic to ask the shop of they have any left and if so could they save/mail some for/to you 🙂 x
LikeLike
It’s actually only 20 mins away from work. The trouble is, once I’m in there it is unlikely to be a short visit so I daren’t go until Saturday!
Anyway, I first bought the fabric back in November so 3 more days won’t kill me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great fabric (I haven’t made a Coco yet either)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Lucy,
I’m sure if you emailed them your pictures they’d be happy to have a look for you to see if they’ve still got it? They seem like a helpful bunch. Have you checked out their new online shop? I still have loads of fabric I’ve done nothing with after my last visit so I’m keeping away for the time being! Sarah x
LikeLike
Yes, checked the online shop. It’s not there but the shop is huge compared to the online products listed so I’m not surprised. I’m going to send them an image.
LikeLike
Ah Lucie, what a pain, stay on it and don’t give up because the coco is such a great way to get back into sewing. I made the tunic length last week and wore it for three days on the trot. You gonna have to go with black sleeves – good luck anyway. Jo x
LikeLike
Ha! Tried it, the black sleeves look awful! Holding out for the fabric.
LikeLike
Gorgeous fabric. Looks great without sleeves to me.
LikeLike
I saw your photo of the top with the matching fabric sleeves. It looks fantastic! I was surprised because I thought it would look too ‘busy’ but it doesn’t. It looks really good! By the way, is the funnel collar a straight piece of fabric? Or is it shaped/curved?
LikeLike
Hi Wynn. It’s a straight piece of fabric, folded over and stitched on.
LikeLike