Pattern Description:
Swing coat with undulating seamed sections on facing side, with a quilted, pieced reverse side. My version is not quilted.
Pattern Sizing:
Standard Vogue -- oversized. I'm a Vogue 14, so I cut a Small, though Vogue says I'm a Medium.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Very much so, even though I made serious modifications in terms of fabric choice and trim.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions seem fine, except that Vogue uses two different numbering systems for this coat. One is for the pieces for the face of the garment; the second is for the pattern pieces themselves. This is unnecessarily confusing. I made my own "road map", which I've posted on my blog. (Link at the end of this review.)
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It's fun and kooky, like all Koos garments. I wanted the fun without the stress, so I made significant changes in the planning and construction. If you want a Koos-like look, I recommend this approach highly. But for the full Koos, you'll need to do exactly as Vogue says, and your results should be spectacular.
Fabric Used:
Three: an upholstery tapestry from JoAnn; an upholstery fabric from Jomar; a beautiful Italian wool from Kashi, at Metro Textiles in NYC.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Too many to detail here, but the essential one was to use only two contrasts for the face of the coat. In addition, I seamed the pieces together in the traditional fashion, instead of reversing the seams and covering them with bias tape. I did not quilt the two sides together, as called for in the pattern.
The shape of my coat in unaltered, but I did shorten the sleeves by one inch, a process that required thought and care, since the sleeve seams are spiral.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I might very well make it again -- maybe going the whole Koos route next time. This pattern would also make a marvelous, if less dramatic, coat, if both sides were cut from the reverse pattern piece, which is very simple: There are just two pattern pieces for the reverse side, one for the body, and one for the sleeves.
This is a great pattern to let your creativity fly. Construction isn't difficult, just potentially time-consuming, and even advanced beginners, if they are careful, could make this coat and enjoy it.
For tips on my Cliff Notes version, and many more pictures, visit my blog, Noile.Net.
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Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
LOVE This! Much nicer than the Vogue one, & shows off your fabrics . Enjoyed reading your blog too!! Thanks for a great, helpful review.
1/10/12 12:56 PM
This (and the blog) was such a great read! But, your coat is to die for!!! It is amazing in my opinion and I love the fabrics.
1/10/12 1:44 PM
Very cool!
1/10/12 5:07 PM
Absolutely gorgeous - the fabrics are terrific together and your coat will sure get a great deal of admiration. Great review and interesting blog
1/10/12 5:18 PM
Very nice. Love your use and choice of fabric.
1/10/12 7:38 PM
I too prefer yours to Vogue's. Love your Koos-lite invention!
1/11/12 4:38 AM
Your fabrics are beautiful. What a wonderful jacket!
1/11/12 12:47 PM
Wonderful. Thanks for all the great advice.
1/11/12 2:36 PM
This is fabulous! I enjoyed reading about how you produced such a gorgeous coat. I like both sides also.
1/11/12 4:32 PM
How fun, and what a great way to simplify the process - good job! :)
1/14/12 9:03 PM