Pattern Description:
Winter coat
Pattern Sizing:
12
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. I used the regular sleeve, stand collar, and shorter jacket.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
There were several options and the pattern allowed opportunity for creativity in the details.
Fabric Used:
I purchased the fabric about 6-7 years ago, perhaps from Sawyer Brook. It's a wonderfully thick and soft and kept me nice and warm while I was doing the had sewing on the couch in front of the TV. I think it is a wool/cashmere blend. Lined with black flannel backed lining from Sawyer Brook.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made a muslin and found the sizing to be a bit tight. My measurements are more like a 14 but I always sew size 12 and that always works. However, for an outer garment, I didn't feel as if there was enough ease. I added an inch in diameter and lowered the armhole by 1/2". Given the thickness of the fabric, I could have made the arm scye a bit bigger in order to allow for a suit jacket or sweater underneath.
I also added an additional button, as I don't like holding my coat closed over my thighs when it's windy!
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I am just finishing another coat using the pleated sleeves and different detailing. Will post those photos soon.
More info:
I finally decided to take the time to make myself a coat. After years of unsuccessful searching for something that filled this impossible criteria: No hood, Not black, Not double-breasted, Unique, Stylish, Unique, and Warm.
After agonizing over what kind of special touches to incorporate, I decided to use piping and topstitching as accents. Cording rows are inserted under the front placket, collar, and waist band. I used organza as a backing to hold the cording in place and stitched the layers together. I did not quite achieve the 3D effect I was going for, and this would have worked better if I had done the basting on the front, pushing the coat fabric up over the cording. However, that would have required cutting the waist band, etc., wider. (You can see this by zooming in on the project photo.)
The topstitching was done using embroidery thread in the bobbin, and I did a blanket stitch by hand around the sleeve and pocket tabs.
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I'm not exactly happy with the buttonholes. Given the thickness of the fabric, machine buttonholes were not an option. I really wanted to bind the holes by hand using the embroidery thread, but found that I did not have the needle skills to do so and it just looked messy. I ended up just doing a small blanket stitch to cover the raw edges. The buttonholes look a little naked, though.
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Lovely Coat!!! I want it!
2/9/12 10:55 AM
Gorgeous coat! This is a great start for your 1st review! I hope that you get a blog. I would love to see more of your sewing!
2/9/12 10:59 AM
Lovely! All of the details look fabulous, and the color is great.
2/9/12 11:30 AM
I think your coat is gorgeous! Beautiful craftsmanship. I know it's too late now, but since your machine does not do good buttonholes on thick fabric, would you consider doing bound buttonsholes for your next coat?
2/9/12 11:41 AM
Congratulations on your sewing success! What a beautiful coat and it won't date! Thanks so much for your review, especially for the info regarding sizing.
2/9/12 11:46 AM
What a beautiful coat, and in my favorite color, too! Very nice review
2/9/12 1:19 PM
I love the shape of this coat and the detailing that you added.
2/9/12 1:34 PM
Gorgeous coat! It definitely fulfills all the criteria you set for yourself. Beautiful details and I love the color.
2/9/12 1:57 PM
Beautiful work! Love it! Looks better than the one on the pattern cover!
2/9/12 2:47 PM
Beautiful coat great details, the buttonhole look like a similar coat I made years ago the whole thing was a success until I got to the buttons holes, once buttoned you could not tell but I know what you mean about not being substantial enough for the coat...
2/9/12 3:31 PM
Beautiful!
2/9/12 4:36 PM
Your coat is gorgeous, beautiful work.
2/9/12 4:45 PM
Wow. This looks fantastic.
2/9/12 6:57 PM
Ditto all previous praise! Beautiful coat.. The button echoes the styling details so very, very nicely.. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
2/9/12 8:10 PM
Your coat is gorgeous. Great work on the details.
2/9/12 10:14 PM
Love your coat, it looks so beautiful in red! I made coat using the same pattern and very happy with the results.
2/9/12 11:05 PM
Gorgeous coat. Great job!
2/9/12 11:49 PM
Great review and gorgeous coat! Your extra details are fantastic. The buttonholes are hidden when buttoned, so great work!
2/10/12 5:36 AM
Fantastic. I love all the horizontal and vertical lines, right down to the line detail on the buttons. PS Definitely not black! Isn't it frustrating when RTW coats come in such a limited range of colours.
2/10/12 7:24 AM
FABULOUS!
2/10/12 7:41 AM
Absolutely beautiful!
2/10/12 8:20 AM
Nice hand stitching details! Beautiful coat.
2/10/12 12:27 PM
What a pretty red coat! The extra time you spent on the stitching details really shows and makes this a special garment.
2/10/12 1:15 PM
absolutely beautiful
2/10/12 2:59 PM
Beautiful coat! I have this pattern in my stash, plus all the fabric, trim and notions to make it. Your lovely version inspres me to get to cutting and sewing! I think I'll try to make bound buttonholes as you have suggested. Thanks for the great review and I look forward to more reviews from you!
2/10/12 4:42 PM
Beautifully sewn. Looks so stylish.
2/10/12 5:50 PM
I have this pattern but have yet to make it. I love your red coat!
2/10/12 10:06 PM
2/10/12 10:06 PM
How cute is this. You did great.
2/11/12 7:16 PM
Lovely coat!
2/14/12 0:05 AM
I think a red coat is just stunning--just what you need on those impossible winter mornings.
11/6/12 9:55 AM
It is beautiful. Love the colour and finish
1/10/13 6:02 AM
A beautiful coat and nice detail stitching! It's nice that you were able to find just the right shade of red buttons. Great job!
3/9/13 10:17 PM
You have created a really beautiful coat!
3/10/13 8:59 AM
Superb work. Garments in scarlet are so eye-catching, but your sewing more than stands up to the scrutiny. Beautiful.
3/10/13 10:07 AM
Beautiful color, amazing details!
3/10/13 10:18 AM
Your coat is spectacular.
3/10/13 12:03 PM
Amazing job on this! Love the color and details!
3/11/13 8:36 PM
Beautiful! I love a red coat!
3/22/13 8:54 PM