Guest Post by Betty Bidwell

If you missed part one, we talked about how to alter a shadbelly to get the perfect fit and the differences between a Dressage and Hunter shadbelly.

You will recall from the previous post that my high maintenance darling daughter requested new points for the shadbelly. This would have been required in any event, since the existing shadbelly points were not wide enough once we reset the buttons to create more room through the coat’s bust and torso.

Prior to the actual sewing process, it was necessary to choose fabrics for the new points. Considering we are looking at a tiny scrap of color at the waist, this became quite the involved affair. After some back and forth, Tracy finally told me she wanted hunter green. I scoured the internet for suitable green fabrics and sent her a bunch of links. Our taste in design is often quite different, so I know that many of my picks were discarded in nanoseconds (is there such a thing as Tinder for fabrics?) I did have one particular favorite, although I did not tell her which one it was. I was thrilled when that became her first choice as well. Sometimes Mom is right after all!

Then my attention turned to the reverse side of the shadbelly points (since most are reversible now a days), and I figured classic canary yellow would be appropriate. The first fabric my search turned up was this Beauty and the Beast jacquard. I sent Tracy the link mostly as a joke, followed by laugh till you cry emojis, along with a couple of other choices. Beauty and the Beast was the very first movie Tracy ever saw in a theater — the wolves absolutely terrified her! But I guess she has gotten over it because that fabric was a resounding YESSSSSS! What girl doesn’t have a favorite Disney Princess somewhere inside?

Lucky for me, both fabrics were in stock at stores relatively nearby. I much prefer to view fabric in person before purchase, for true color and a sense of the feel. Plus, we only needed a small amount and online orders often have a large yardage minimum.

How to Sew Shadbelly Points

Using the existing shadbelly points and the new measurements across the front of the waist, I created a pattern for new points. I think 2 piece points are much more practical and make taking the coat on and off easier.

To add some body, lightweight fusible interfacing was added.

I am not so creative when it comes to bold new ideas, but I am very good at copying things I see. I love the internet. And google image searches. Inspired by a Charles Ancona shadbelly point design, we added trim to the green side.

Stitch the yellow and green sides together, leaving a small opening to turn right side out.

Stitch the opening closed and press.

Measure carefully for buttonhole placement. Add buttonholes. I added a new button so that each point attaches only to its respective side of the coat. The manufacturer attachment system is somewhat less user friendly.

How do you like the way we cut the yellow fabric, so Belle and the Beast are on one point and the rose is on the other?

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