Birch Leaves Lichen Duster

Each time I sew a garment I gain a little more appreciation for clothing. It’s such an everyday thing, pulling on jeans or slipping into a coat, but when you’ve made a garment yourself you have a unique perspective on its worth.

For example, I was shocked that the Lichen Duster required 6 yards of fabric!!! That’s more than a throw quilt backing. Certainly it’s the most yardage I’ve ever used for a garment. On the other hand, I found the construction quicker and easier than I expected. Now I realize that sewing an unlined coat is not necessarily more involved than sewing a blouse. Unlike with quilts, bigger does not always mean more time consuming with garments.

So, my Lichen Duster looks just as I imagined - - - on my friend Hanneke. Haha. I am apparently not so good at imagining how a garment would look on my body. Too bad you can’t try something on before sewing it! Ah well, it’s another learning experience.

If this happened years ago I would probably convince myself to alter it slightly or just wear it anyways. But, I know better than to do that now when I feel this strongly out of my element. I love, love, love the Birch Leaves fabric, but the camel color does me no favors. A bold jewel tone like emerald, sapphire or ruby would have made much more sense for my “winter” complexion.

But it’s more than that. The full, swirly skirt and loose style construction looks so casual chic on some people. On myself it reminds me of a graduation robe. Not in a good way. Suffice it to say that I couldn’t wait to take it off after these photos. I shot the photos on Hanneke the same day and was happy to see her take the garment home.

There’s no sense in forcing it. Other clothes do make me feel good. It’s not the garment’s fault, it’s just part of the journey to miss sometimes. Thank goodness someone else can enjoy the result. Hanneke is visiting Paris this spring, and she’s told me she’ll wear it there. Sounds like a success to me!

Realizing that I am on the shorter side at 5’ 4” tall, I did shorten the Lichen Duster 4”. For a garment, that seemed like a lot. Still, I do feel the length is overwhelming, as well as the volume, particularly from the back. I’m wearing it here with a sweater, but the arms seem possibly overfull as well? I’m not sure, as I am no fit expert.

I think the length is gorgeous for Hanneke, who is about 6 feet tall. It’s long and sweeping, but still shows off some leg and doesn’t swallow her boots.

I still love the lines of the garment, front and back. It has beautiful seams and lovely, oversized pockets that nevertheless blend into the garment. So cleverly designed!

From the back sometimes the full, dramatic cut hangs just so, in pretty folds, and it trails behind you when you walk. Altogether a beautiful look when it suits you!

Thanks to Sew Liberated for providing me the Lichen Duster pattern on request, for my project. And thanks to The Confident Stitch for providing the fabric. You might guess that I will not be making a patchwork version of the Lichen Duster, and you’d be right. I’m very glad that I started with this version in regular yardage. Hopefully my experience will also be helpful for others.