the Three Generation Coat

This isn't the best picture but I promise to post a new one as soon as the coat arrives home. This coat took first place at Maryland Sheep and Wool show. It's a very special coat. The blend of fibers: Merino wool (for softness), Romney wool (strength and shine), Mohair (shine and loft), silk (strength, color and shine), Silk noils ( color and texture), Sammy and Husky hair (loft, softness, and warmth). Each one of these fibers were dyed a different color then sent to Zelingers fiber mill to be processed into roving. The roving was spun on a Haldane wheel using a short draw. Singles for weft, and 2 ply for warp. The fabric was woven on a Harrisville 36" 4 harness loom in a tabby weave. After weaving the fabric was washed in a commercial washing machine on gentle with minimum agitation. Then dried in a commercial dryer with no heat, cleaning out the vent often. The lining of the coat is made of my Mothers disassembled wedding dress. Every last seam was removed and it was casserole dyed with acid dyes, in colors to match the material. Because the gown was designed for a woman with a 17" waist The material had to be "patched" to make a solid piece for the lining. This was achieved by using fancy stitches like that used in a crazy quilt. The cut glass buttons are from my NaNa. They are something I played with in her button box when I was little(they were my diamonds). The buttons were her mothers brought over from Italy. All three of the Raia, Tantillo, Sundance families have added something to this coat. The entire project could not have been completed though without the help of a dear friend and a wonderful seamstress Millie Jaggard. Millie spun, knit and added the cormo I-cord to the coat as a finishing touch. It really sets the coat apart. I will be writing an article about this coat for publication in a national magazine and will let you know when and if it is picked up. Now it's just a waiting game Come-on cold weather whoo-hoo.