I Figured Out How To Make One Coat On Two Continents || Victorian Velvet Coat

Free class: foundationsrev...
Hand embroidery: an international sport. Join me this month to sew in literally my favourite place I've ever sewed... and discover how I'm getting this massive hand embroidery project across the Atlantic and back to England.
Featuring Kikito Burrito the Goldendoodle and Henry the Hummingbird as themselves.
Pink summer dress by Magnolia Pearl. Hat from an antique store. Suspenders from Papillionaceous Pure Silk. (Not sponsored)
Music:
‘From the Ashes of a Previous Life’ by Lama House
‘Aero’ by Trevor Kowalski
‘Box Full of Blue Sky’ by Will Harrison
‘Beloved Never Fades (Instrumental Version)’ by Kylie Dailey
‘Guna’ by Martin Landh
‘No Wonder’ by Bonn Fields
‘Illusory Motion’ by Gavin Luke
‘Connection’ by Aerian
(All from Epidemic Sound)
Edited by Sophie Black at @triskellepictures
/ @triskellepicturesuk
You can also follow me and see my own sewing on Instagram:
/ cathy.hay
Your letters and cards are welcome at:
1 Northumberland Avenue
Trafalgar Square
London
WC2N 5BW
United Kingdom
Thank you, thank you, to everyone who has sent something to me. It is deeply valuable to read your words in your own handwriting and hold them in my hands. It helps me to connect to who you really are, and what you really need from me. I read and treasure every one. Thank you.

[@shoelaced]

Okay but can we talk about how much better your voice sounds??? Gurl done found herself. 🤸‍♂🤸‍♂

[@wanderingchook1193]

I thought the same thing. I remember Cathy talking about how she felt that her voice changed after some traumatic events and i feel that this stronger voice mirrors how much more open and bright she is feeling.

[@isabubble1424]

I agree!!!! ❤❤❤

[@nataliet4293]

Tips for the thread tangling! Wet them to relax the kinks and memory of how they were stored. Dry them hanging off a dowel or hanger. Work in shorter lengths. You'll eventually find the length sweet spot where you work at your fastest, and for me that was a short length that got longer over time. Use a duller needle. If your needle pushes the fiber to the side the floss will have more space to pull it's twist through the hole.

[@ijfen]

Dull needle is a great tip!

[@suzisaintjames]

Here's another tip... Remember all thread has a nap. Stitching with the nap of the tread and not against the nap will reduce tangles. Can't figure out which way the nap is flowing? Stitch for a while, if there's a lot of tangles... Tie off and start again with the other end of the thread... works for me every time. Same for sewing thread... Do some research as it depends on how the thread is wound on the spool. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@rosequill7925]

@@suzisaintjames i didn't know that. I'd always wondered why sometimes my embroidery floss would tanlge and other times it wouldn't even though I was using the same brand throughout the project

[@suzisaintjames]

@@rosequill7925 , sometimes you can see the nap on thread, others you can't... But it's still there. Remember that if you put thread on a bobbin, the nap is reversed. (I don't know about bobbins that you buy already wound with thread.) Sending lots of love 💖 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵😷

[@suzisaintjames]

Instead of buying blunt needles, which maybe too thick for your fabric, just dull your needle on a piece of sandpaper (l use a fingernail file.) Fun fact: during the world war, seamstresses would sharpen their needles as new ones were a luxury. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@matthewcondon1985]

“Ridiculous, but doable” projects are always the best kind! You can do it!!!

[@CathyHay]

Thank you Matthew!

[@centurycountess4949]

hey cathy, your video today was a great comfort and stress relief today. yesterday we had a dangerous crisis and we were all evacuated from out home due to it. we weren't allowed to return until late today. i wont go into too much detail but a tenant was brutally assaulted, the situation was very traumatic, very scary and stressful. so this video was a wonderful escape to a safe place while i decompressed and distressed.

[@CathyHay]

I'm so sorry. Big hugs to you, and I'm glad this helped.

[@clotildebesson1991]

All the best, I hope you're somewhere safe

[@AndiBowen]

I love just how well travelled this coat will be before it's even completed! A very worldly coat :D

[@megancarroll6202]

Thanks Cathy for your video. You look and sound so well which is beautiful to see and hear. ❤

[@CathyHay]

Thank you Megan! Yes, summer is good for me. :)

[@christinebrady723]

I never get enough of watching you work!! Can't wait to see the coat finished.

[@CathyHay]

Thank you!

[@judihopewell2499]

Can’t wait…

[@jennylawson1980]

You are doing amazing ❤and the joy in your heart and voice is infectious. I absolutely love everything you are doing 😊

[@AnaSanchez-ei1xb]

I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE the dress you are wearing at 3:23. You rock Cathy!

[@joseywales1150]

Hey Ms Cathy I have been away for awhile glad to see you are doing even better than before..... It is inspiring to a sewer in PNW.

[@gkseeton]

LOVED the workshop. Look forward to another free class.

[@CathyHay]

I'm so happy to hear this! More to come!

[@WheezyCatLady]

The summer dress and hat combo is so cute on you! 😍 I love following this journey. You’re so calm and controlled about the whole thing. It’s lovely to see, and very inspiring ❤

[@CathyHay]

Thank you Amos, that's very kind of you!

[@kimwallace5729]

Beautiful.

[@CathyHay]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lynnsaull5723]

A tilting stand for your frame, will enable you to get to the back side of your embroidery more easily.

[@susanpolastaples9688]

This is a gorgeous sort of soon to be coat. I'm working on a jigsaw puzzle and working daily a little bit at a time.

[@CathyHay]

You can do it!

[@llwweg]

Very excited! Looking forward to it.❤

[@flaxholmelis5996]

Wonderful Cathy glad it's all working out. Good to see you were in my home town!!😄

[@xingcat]

I love the idea of embroidery frames scattered around the globe, each one a part of a project you can pick up as you travel.

[@CathyHay]

And I like the way you said it! Seems so gloriously whimsical.

[@dianeknight4839]

My Great Grandmother worked at Marshall & Snellgrove in 1910.

[@bleeb90]

With huge projects like these there's two phrases that bare repeating: "Slow and steady wins the race", and "It's not about reaching the destination, but the journey".

[@sarahjones753]

I love the red dress you're wearing, the detail looks beautiful

[@CathyHay]

Oh thank you!

[@liltroublemaker1230]

yeah! 🥳 finally a new video from my fav youtuber ❤ greetings from austria 🇦🇹

[@CathyHay]

Thank you, that's very kind of you!

[@strayiggytv]

Im loving this series. Ive missd a fewvideos so im working my way towards the most recent one. Ill never lose the wonder i have for hand embroidery. Its such a craft of love 💕

[@tinagleeson7813]

Dear Cathy Your video updates are truly inspiring, and it makes me happy to see YOU so happy!! I would truly love to attend some of your classes, but as I am located in Australia, the times are just not compatible! 😞 Do you have any future plans to offer a one-off purchase option to get access/download recordings of your classes, so those of us in the southern hemisphere can "access" what, I am sure, is wonderful content??

[@CathyHay]

Hi Tina, and thank you for your interest in these classes! I'm aware that the time will not work for everyone. That's why there is a recording every time, so you can watch it at whatever time of day you wish, at no charge.

[@tinagleeson7813]

Thank you so much, @@CathyHay That's fantastic!!

[@thumpr1]

Keep working along Cathy... sure do enjoy watching your videos and your progress... Also, was so nice to see all the pride flags in the UK in your town.. very nice, such a beautiful town... I've left my flag up this summer in NY(state).. those UK towns look so beautiful...

[@CathyHay]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your kind comment!

[@aioko1]

You truly bring so much joy, Cathy; I await all of your videos!

[@CathyHay]

Thank you, how kind!

[@LiseWaring]

I bounce back and forth between Texas and New York. I have trestles at each location so I only have to take my slate frames with me.

[@CathyHay]

That works! Glad I'm not the only one doing this!

[@julieparker5541]

I'm building my own house at the moment, yes my own home and yes the glass is half full, and one step done today means one less step to do tomorrow, as my mum keeps telling me. You're wonderful Cathy and an inspiration to all of us with HUGE projects we're tackling. I so much look forward to seeing your videos :-)

[@CathyHay]

Omg that is a truly epic undertaking! All the very best with that, and I'm glad you feel seen!

[@lauralake7430]

Lovely! So good to see you and the space you are working in❤

[@CathyHay]

Thank you! 😊

[@konstantinospil1025]

Yuhu, I waited a month to see two needles and two threads!☹️

[@lupinotuumlunam]

The second frame was a good idea. I was concerned about the frame being damaged or lost in all of the shipping. Will the lesson be available other than zoom after it happens? Something always seems to come up the day these happen and I have to watch the replay.

[@CathyHay]

Yes, there'll be a replay!

[@Linn8379]

Amazing to see your progress and I'm so look forward to this creation being completed. I've had a restitch/button redo/revamp a thrift pile on my desk since the beginning of July. I suppose that we all have our own pace. Love to you!!!

[@CathyHay]

We do, I'm glad you can relate! Keep going!

[@philippatill9727]

This will be a really interesting timeline of your progress on the coat as no one panel with be done during one amount of time, as you will keep going back and forth. At least it will also mean you won't look at one panel and see that it was your first. ❤

[@CathyHay]

Good point, that's an unanticipated advantage!

[@Derwollwolf]

A little off topic, but I really love the Hat you're wearing in Colorado. ❤

[@CathyHay]

Thank you! I love it too.

[@catherineleslie-faye4302]

I like the idea of an embroidery frame on each side of the atlantic... nice fix for a shipping problem.

[@CathyHay]

Definitely the simplest option!

[@yvethemetriccrafter688]

Oh that seemed to go so fast ! Loved it

[@CathyHay]

Thank you Yve, I appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@ananeves129]

I'm so curious about your project. I would very much enjoy attending the workshop specially due to the book tips. I was thinking it might be usefull for the students of the place I work at, but I'll go back to work on that day. Maybe next time! :) Keep the great work!!!

[@CathyHay]

Thank you for your interest Ana - there will be a recording, so you're not obliged to be there live. :)

[@ananeves129]

@@CathyHay ☺

[@amandahart4891]

Ideas to talk about would be your experience of travel, living in different places. I’m about your age and it seems so daunting to me. I’d love to learn more. Do you miss “home”? Is it odd getting used to different beds? Are you collecting things, like eye shades, that help? Is it what you thought it would be or different? Has it changed your mind or made you think differently?

[@CathyHay]

Great suggestions, thank you!

[@yapper80]

Thank you for the video! It helps me relax while you doing your embroidery on your coat. It going to be beautiful when its done! ❤❤

[@CathyHay]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@cariiinen]

Lovely!

[@frithbarbat]

Cathy, is there a reason you embroider by moving the one hand above and below the fabric? I find it much faster to have my dominant hand below and the other hand above the fabric, and pass the needle back and forth between them.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

Despite the difficulty it looks like the project is coming along. I hope it gets easier.

[@CathyHay]

Thank you!

[@fullbluemoon]

I have that magnolia pearl dress. Love it

[@CathyHay]

I couldn't resist it! It jumped off the rack at me. 😂

[@kelseylogas1580]

You are having such an amazing adventure. Out of interest where is the frame stored while you are in the UK? I'm so looking forward to the workshop tomorrow! Question: I know there are resources on FR about medieval style dress but do you have book recommendations as well? Thank you so much! You look like you are having so much fun. Enjoy!

[@1st1anarkissed]

whenever I get to that "hopeless grind" section of a project my motto is "just do something." This means I pick up the work and fiddle at the very least, which always eventually finishes it.

[@CathyHay]

That's a great attitude and a great rule of thumb - totally taking that one on board!

[@tammyt3434]

Unless you have a university grant or museum demanding precise recreation, I fully support personalizing your embroidery. I have a few pieces of store bought clothes with impersonal machine embroidery on them, but I don't enjoy those patterns nearly as much as the silly dragon I added to a patch in my jeans!

[@sfowler1017]

Putting big promos in videos like this definitely feels like a bait and switch, especially with such a long "premiere". It also makes it hard to share the actual class info with people because it's buried inside a different title. As a follower and as a professional marketer for 15-plus years I'd recommend making it two different videos. And only use premiere countdowns for much longer-form videos, to avoid the disappointment expressed by many. We'd love to hear more about challenges and joys of working remotely in new places. Plus some of what you're seeing, experiencing, and learning as you go!

[@CathyHay]

Thank you for your feedback S. See my comment to Suzi, below.

[@jennglow4647]

Cool 😀

[@cherilynne1946]

I only discovered your channel (love it!) this past week-too late to join the class you so generously offered. I am an artist who’s ready to embrace my art as a full time part of my life. Will you be offering similar courses in the future? Best wishes!

[@CathyHay]

Thank you Cherilynne! That's kind of you. If this one continues to go well, I'm certainly considering doing it again sometime!

[@cherilynne1946]

@@CathyHay 🤞🏼💕

[@saritshull3909]

For those who missed it, could the book list please be placed on the website?

[@frenchkittenify]

I love following your videos as they keep me so inspired to keep on with my own work. I know most of your company is focused on Victoria's era designs. Do you know if any books to follow for more 1930s era clothes?

[@sis9622]

Just found your channel

[@CathyHay]

Welcome!

[@jupiter1217]

Drats. I completely forgot about that getting things done class. 😢

[@tasanijanus7092]

❤

[@camerondear9256]

I have had this question for a while, and forgive me if it has already been answered before, but what do you do with these projects once they are completed? Do you wear them casually once and a while or do they get stored/donated somewhere? I’m merely curious since they are made to your specific measurements.

[@susanpolastaples9688]

I signed up for the last free class, but Zoom didn't work for me

[@CuriosityRocks]

That sounds like an awesome class. Will it be available for a while because I’m busy on that day

[@CathyHay]

Hi there, thank you for your interest! There'll be a recording that'll be available for a couple of days afterwards. 🙂

[@lindagates9150]

Considering the time it took me to give the other commenters and your replies a thumbs up 👍 it’s a wonder you can accomplish as much as you have . when I think about the number of hearts you have distributed and the thoughtful responses to the unhappy people who wrote to make it known that you didn’t meet their expectations I am astonished that you actually got to do more in a short time than you expected. I have enjoyed your videos for ages . I used to cross stitch a ton of Teresa Wentzler dragons, castles and Father Christmas patterns back in the Jurassic when I was younger than I am now. I wish I could remember how to spell the pattern designers name. . I enjoyed doing them even though they included beads and combining a strand of floss with another strand so many times per square inch..just a slight exaggeration just an explanation not complaining about it 😊😂❤🎉❤see you later alligator or after awhile crocodile

[@CathyHay]

Thank you Linda! Thank you for noticing that. It is indeed a much more labour intensive process than it appears to be. I love a bit of cross stitch too once in a while! All the best.

[@frogtrenchcoat]

the pride decoration showcase made me happy c:

[@CathyHay]

Me too! I had to include that. ❤️

[@reneepasich]

Is there a way to view your previous class? I missed it😞

[@CathyHay]

Not right now, but it was popular, so we may repeat it sometime. Right now we're trying a few different ones to see what resonates with you!

[@JordanLeigh]

Cathy! You sound amazing. I swear I can hear joy in your voice. ♥️

[@CathyHay]

Thank you Jordan! It is my happy place. :)

[@lydzphens]

❤❤❤

[@blktauna]

My question is will this library only be focused on the mid 18th to Edwardian? Also be careful the US doesn't snag you on paying tax. I know it can happen but not how but there;s def a day limit so I'd ask your accountant or solictor about it.

[@CathyHay]

Mid 18th to Edwardian does seem to attract the most attention so the primary focus will be there, but other periods will not be excluded. The scope will be focussed on Western dress, however. Re taxes, my accountant and I are well aware of that, thank you!

[@yaminabouhas3983]

❤

[@halinakajfoszova4354]

I just realised something. Any idea what the lining was/looked like on the original?

[@CathyHay]

All we know it that is was white and made of silk. So that's where I'll be going with that. 🙂

[@halinakajfoszova4354]

@@CathyHay yup fair enough 😊

[@erinrabideau3691]

💜

[@ijfen]

I dont see why using the premiere feature on KZbin obligates a long video. Just because its called that doesnt mean its a red carpet event; its just scheduled. Really enjoyed this one. Moving the flower to cover the seam is very clever. Happy to see you making progress! I should get back to the cutting table...

[@CathyHay]

Thank you for your kind words! I do it so that I can connect with viewers live and answer questions as the video plays for the first time. It keeps me in touch with who you are and what you want from me.

[@kellygreen7275]

Wait wait WAIT!!! I’m confused. So…you’re doing double the work or you’re taking current progress w you???

[@CathyHay]

Sorry to confuse you Kelly! No, I'm dividing the work between two locations. There will be six velvet panels in all, so I'm doing one on each side of the Atlantic. I travel a lot so I'll have one or the other to work on and make progress with, wherever I happen to be. Does that make sense?

[@kellygreen7275]

@@CathyHay I love it!!!!

[@missmeakat]

Whilst the music captions are sweet ("mathing music"), they're not very useful to anyone hard of hearing or d/Deaf. The recommendations are the name of artist and song if known, or the main instrument/style. Stagetext have a really good free training video series on captioning on KZbin if anyone is interested E.g. [Toxic by Brittney Spears] [Quiet slow flute]

[@CathyHay]

That's a good reminder, thank you for taking the time to explain that. I'm sorry to have got off track there.

[@SuperNovaSirius]

Kiiiinda sad that this Premiere was planned for half a week to look forward to and then only get an 11 minute video with 4 minutes of lesson promo... :(

[@CathyHay]

I'm sorry you feel this way, and thank you for the feedback. See my comment to Suzi below - I'm open to your thoughts too.

[@TheSharpenedPencil]

I don't think that's fair -- This whole series on the coat has been in a vlog style, and the free classes have been a part of what Kathy has been doing during the month. It belongs in the video just as much as details about where she's travelling. Also she's offering the classes for free, which is very kind. How else are people supposed to find out about them? Maybe the library class isn't something you are interested in, but other people will be.

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

Have you ever tried to video yourself, edit an interesting cohesive story and make content that will entertain? It’s really hard and time consuming. And you get it for free! Well Done Cathy

[@SuperNovaSirius]

@thelasthomelyhouse Yes, I have actually. I don't see how that's relevant. I was just expressing my disappointment because I really look forward to these videos. I love what she does and thus project. Seen the coat IRL two months ago and love her project.

[@SuperNovaSirius]

@@CathyHay Please know it was only because I love your videos and look forward to them very much.

[@suzisaintjames]

Adding a promo is fine, but as consumers we need more content to be balanced. It feels like we were taken advantaged of because we were expecting content... Even if it was to say: I didn't get much done on my project... I did this instead. Believe it or not, we need to sit at your feet a while longer... a sort of respite, if you will. P.s. it's alright to tell us where you were staying, because by the time the video comes up, you've already left.

[@randolphfriend8260]

🩷

[@suzisaintjames]

One of my earliest memories is my sitting under my mother's sewing machine whilst she made us dresses. That's what l thought today's video would be like... us sitting under the embroidery frame, whilst you stitched and chatted to us. Especially, after waiting a week for the premier. Truly a disappointment. 😢😢😢.

[@CathyHay]

I'm sorry you feel short-changed, Suzi. We all spend a lot of time in front of screens, so if I don't have a lot to say, I don't want to drag it out and waste your time. But I take your point - and your ideas. I like that analogy. I'm open to ideas from anyone reading this on what you want to see... because months of embroidery makes it challenging to keep it interesting for you, obviously. The variety of locations will help, but I'm open to feedback on what else would make this awesome for you.

[@suzisaintjames]

@@CathyHay, there are videos on KZbin where it's 10 hours of listening to rain fall with the same image that get millions of views. My point: Remember your audience. We are people who are interested in hand embroidery. We clicked on this (and the last) video to watch hand embroidery. We watch you and Bernadette stitch lines and lines of hand felling and come back for more time after time! And still complain that it's not enough. They say to improve a habit, have some accountability. So make us your accountability partners. Every day schedule some time to embroider and film it. It would be fun to see it as time lapse over a month's time. Some even do it live and answer comments. Sew a bit, chat a bit. ... We are not asking for 30 minutes or even 15 of stimulating conversation. We are asking for time spent with our long time friend Cathy Hay doing what we both love... Stitching. Our lives are so busy. We all need a respite.💖🌞🌵😷

[@suzisaintjames]

@@CathyHay, there's nothing for you to do "to keep it interesting!" You're not selling us on embroidery, we already drank that Kool-aid. We are interested in the process. We are interested in the progress. We are interested in the the subject. If we get bored with too much detail, that's what they made 2x speed, ⏩ fast forwarding, and time stamping. I like 2x speed because the action is advanced, but l can still catch all the audio. Some even voice over and say: I'm going to stitch for a while, jump to x:xx for my conclusion or what ever. Try one with "too much" detail and ask what we think. I'm sure you'll get plenty of opinions. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@JoeyisDREADful]

​​@@CathyHay I personally am more likely to watch more of the videos when it's this kind of vlog+work content and alot of shorter videos. So imo, make whatever content you like to make better. You already have 2 people just right here who want drastically different things, you can't make all of us happy anyway. 🤷

[@CathyHay]

@@JoeyisDREADful and @suzisaintjames Thank you so much, both of you, I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts!

[@alicias.8482]

Don't forget to drink your Ovaltine.

[@CathyHay]

I've been trying to figure out what you mean, and I think you're talking about the stone cottages on hillsides in Derbyshire - they made me think of the old Hovis ad with the boy pushing the bicycle up the hill!

[@daedubois9428]

I'm not sure i understand the journey that you are on.😶

[@surban4369]

I've been watching faithfully, but don't understand why the work is moved about? Did I miss the reason for taking this beautiful project on an around the world tour?

[@CathyHay]

@@surban4369 Thank you for taking the time to ask! There are multiple reasons I'm travelling. One is that I'm hopefully moving abroad soon, so I'm in limbo, going back and forth, until visas line up. Another is that it's a spiritual journey of giving up my home and most of my possessions to see who I become - might as well do that when I'm about to relocate anyway. :)