Baby, it's cold outside! If you're in the northern hemisphere, you likely agree. We've had some crazy sub-zero temperatures, haven't we? But what better excuse than to make a cozy new coat! This time, I chose a gorgeous dusty lavender wool/cashmere blend from Fabric Mart to make Simplicity 8470. This is the culminating piece for my First Frost capsule wardrobe plan!
I chose to line my hood with a silvery grey polyester fleece, just to turn up the warmth factor a little more. Here you can see that the hood has a turn back cuff, and a center panel with topstitching detail.
And from the back, you can see the back yoke and center back seam. I added 1" to the length of the body of the coat and to the sleeves. I also did a substantial full bust adjustment, forward shoulder, round back and full bicep adjustment, which are all normal adjustments for me on a Big 4 pattern.
The pattern also has some interesting pocket options. I don't know about you, but I can never have enough pockets! I chose to make the view with two lower and two upper pockets. The lower ones are the perfect size for a cell phone, and the upper ones are just at the right spot for you to put your hands in.
I really love coats with toggles, but they aren't really very easy to find in fabric stores here. So, I did a little searching and found Cosmosapparelwear on Etsy. They have a wonderful selection of hand made toggles at reasonable prices. The hardest part about using these toggles was getting them to stay in place before sewing. The leather is too thick to put a pin through, and wonder tape was not strong enough to hold them in place. So, I ended up using regular scotch tape to tape them place until I could get to the sewing machine.
I chose a lavender polyester satin for the lining. I had a devil of the time with static electricity and this lining though. It just wanted to grab on to everything it touched and not let go! With the cold air, our humidity level has gone way down and static electricity has gone way up. I think that I understand the reason now that some linings are labelled "anti-static".
Even though I'm in love with my new coat, I have some misgivings about the pattern. First, there is a drafting error in the lower back piece- it was drawn wider than the corresponding lining piece. Luckily, I had read this on Patternreview before I started, so I was able to make the change to the pattern. Second, the instructions for the pockets are odd They show you actually covering up the bottom pocket with the top one, which I decided not to do, due to thickness of my fabric, and also for wanting to make the bottom pocket easier to use. And third, the side front lining needs to be cut 1" shorter, but the only place that this is noted is in a very tiny sentence in the cutting layout section. It should have been noted on the pattern piece, or at least in the directions section, as it is way too easy to miss where it is. So, if you decide to try this pattern, take your time, and definitely make a muslin to make sure that the fit is good for you before cutting into good coat fabric.
I'm so happy with how this coat turned out. It's one of my favorite colors, and I'm sure that I will be wearing this years from now! If you haven't tried making a coat yet, I highly encourage you to take the plunge. Not the polar bear plunge, mind you, just the coat making plunge! Stay warm!
Happy Sewing and Happy 2018!
Ann
Pretty coat Ann!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa!
DeleteBeautiful! I love the lavender together with that subtle grey touch on the inside of the hood!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marianne! I debated about whether to line the whole thing with the fleece. If I make another, I think that I will try that.
DeleteYour coat is just beautiful!!! I LOVE the toggles, and the color choice is so unique, but works so well for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vanessa. I've always loved this color, and have never seen it in a ready to wear coat.
DeleteBeautiful coat and looks so warm and pretty on you!
ReplyDeleteThank you- it's pretty cozy to wear!
DeleteI love your coat.
ReplyDeleteDear Ann,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I found your work (Stitcher's Guild?), but I have been admiring it. That jacket is fabulous! May I take this opportunity to tell you that after seeing your Itch-to-Stitch Cowl, I immediately bought the pattern and have made one that I love, and am planning another. Thank you for the inspiration!
I'm so glad that you like the Bellavista! It really is so versatile. I want to make a few more as well.
DeleteWhen the weather requires a coat, having one a pretty as this one would make me want to go outside. It looks both stylish and toasty warm.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yes, that is true up to a point- but once it gets below zero, I only want to wear my down coat- nothing can beat it for warmth.
DeleteI love love this coat pattern- i f9rst saw this coat worn by Joanna Gaines on Fixer Upper a couple years ago- i Loved it then. i made one , and i thought the pockets were odd too. i used part of the upper pocket as a flap for the lower- i just gloomed the lower pocket flap piece to the upper pocket and topstitched it
ReplyDeleteI canty wait to make a wool one !!
Such a beautiful coat and the colour is lovely on you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jean Margaret!
DeleteHi Ann, your comment on my boiled wool coat led me to your blog. Your coat is stunning! And I love the color palette of your frost capsule wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty coat! I am just making this pattern. It looks lovely on you. Thank you for sharing the great review😊
ReplyDeleteYou there, this is really good post here. Thanks for taking the time to post such valuable information. Quality content is what always gets the visitors coming. suiting fabrics buy online
ReplyDeleteLovely outfit.
ReplyDeleteI’m sewing this coat now. Could you tell me how you attached the neck lining to the coat/lined hood? The instructions seem to skip that step.
ReplyDeleteYour coat looks amazing! -Diana