Wearable Muslin & Sewing "Class"

Sunday Sewing # 1:

Dontcha just love when you end up with a wearable muslin????? I have wanted a pink wool coat knee length for more than a year. I never found exactly the style I wanted in RTW. I envisioned a fitted bodice and flared skirt. After seeing lovely wool coatings at Gorgeous Fabrics, I thought, "What the heck! I'll make one!" The fabric investment would be significant enough that I wanted to make sure I didn't blow it. So I decided to do a muslin using Vogue 8346 - the EXACT style I had in my mind although I'm not sure if I want the length in view B or D for my pink version. I need to decide before the end of day tomorrow to take advantage of Ann's 10% off deal.

Now, I love the idea of a muslin but honestly, hate the idea of spending time sewing and fitting a garment that ends up in the trash. So whenever I decide there is a need to "practice" a pattern by creating a muslin, I always select a fabric that is not only cheap but might end up being wearable. I found this pretty oversize herringbone tweed in the JoAnn's clearance and thought it would be terrific. Don't tell anyone but it's 100% acrylic. (Ick.) But it was only $4 / yd. This is not an heirloom quality coat but the fabric gives it sort of a trendy look that I won't want to wear forever anyway. I mentioned in an earlier post that I underlined it with some flannel to make it more substantial as well as stabilize the very ravelly nature of the fabric. I finished the body of it tonight and LOVE the style and the way it fits. I will start the facing and lining next but I can tell already, it's a keeper. I can't wait to finish it.

Question 1: The pattern calls for shoulder pads. I did not put any in yet. I'm tempted to omit them. Do you think that would be ok?

Sunday Sewing # 2:

One of my friends recently got married and she had a sewing machine on her registry. Well, HELLO! Of course, that's what I'm going to buy her! She has never even sewed a button but decided she wants to learn to sew. (Yes, the machine is a cheapy from the big box store and I'm skeptical but no point in spending lots of money before you know if you like sewing. Right?) Anyhoo, in addition to the sewing machine, her gift included sewing lessons from me. I read on The Secret Pocket blog that she likes to start her beginner students on a nightshirt like McCalls 2346 rather than the traditional skirt as a starter project reasoning that fit will not be an issue because... well, because it's a nightshirt that you'll be wearing in the privacy of your own home. This particular pattern is very basic with no zippers or buttons that might frustrate a new sewer.

I met my friend at the fabric store today and she picked a pretty pink flannel for her nightshirt (which is NOT pictured above) and some gathered eyelet trim to attach to the bottom of the gown and sleeves. She talked me into buying the same pattern and some fabric because she thought it would help her to have me sewing the same pattern at the same time. I bought the frog fabric to make my niece (and Goddaughter) some jammies and the purple cat fabric to make some for me. It was fun spending time together in the fabric store and then we went to lunch at Don Pablos afterwards.

Question # 2:
I'm so accustomed to using my serger for finishing seams that I don't know how to have my friend treat her seams. The fabric is a woven flannel so it won't be extremely ravelly but I wondered if anyone had a suggestion for how to finish the seams? I honestly don't remember what I did before I owned my serger.