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Sew Along: Making a Winter Coat

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I've always wanted to make a winter coat. I tried my hand at a blazer about 10 years ago, (I was about 16 at the time) but didn't like the way it turned out. That ended up in the trash.... I'm a little older now and have learned a lot more about sewing, so I'm ready to take it on! I will be using Simplicity #2311. I wanted to make a classic-style coat that is timeless and stylish. 

Simplicity #2311
For the fabric, I chose a Burberry-inspired plaid wool coating. Of course I had to choose something that will make this project just a little bit harder, but I'm really excited to learn how to match plaids! I had this fabric in my stash, although it is from Fabric Mart. We had it on our website last year. 


For the lining I will be using an Italian silk crepe de chine from our website (CWD4232 - Italian Crepe de Chine in Navy). I will be making the coat extra warm by interlining it with cotton flannel and will be using a weft-interfacing. 

CWD4232 - Italian Crepe de Chine in Navy 
Before I cut out any of the pattern pieces from the good fabric, I will be sewing up a muslin. I do not usually create a muslin because I'm too impatient. BUT I do not want to mess this up. I've already cut out the pattern pieces from my muslin and hope to start working on it over the weekend.

I've been doing a lot of research on this pattern. I really enjoy using Pattern Review to see what others have to say about the pattern. While researching on Pattern Review, I came across a blog that also featured her process in sewing this coat pattern -- Notes from a Mad Housewife. I immediately fell in love with Lisa's blog. She has a lot of insight on what steps to make to complete a beautiful winter coat. She just finished her version of the coat, check it out here. I got the idea to interline with cotton flannel and to use weft-interfacing from her blog also.

Any advice on how to match plaids? I've only done it on a small scale, so this is a HUGE jump for me!

~Julie

Comments

  1. lisa g.November 29, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    love the fabric, this will look really classy! and how apropos... i just did a plaid dress! it's not hard to match plaids, just takes a good deal of patience. i found it was easiest to pick a match point on the seams (either a notch or draw in your own reference point) to easily cross reference between pieces. check and double check! it takes longer to plot out, but it's time well spent.

    thanks for the shout out, i really look forward to seeing how your coat progresses!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabric MartDecember 4, 2012 at 9:48 PM

      thanks for the advice! I'm going to start cutting out the good pattern pieces later this week!

      Delete
  2. Jenny ArndtNovember 29, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    So excited to follow you, Julie! And thanks for pointing me to Lisa!! I don't have the time right now, but will look up what weft-interfacing is, why it's better, and where to get it!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. TrinityNovember 29, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    I made myself a coat last year, but this year I want to make one for my daughter. It's going to be in plaid, too, and I've haven't picked a pattern yet, but I'm going to start next month when the Pattern Review children's contest starts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. adamJanuary 12, 2013 at 12:11 PM

    B&J Fabrics stocks a unique selection of wool coating fabric.

    ReplyDelete

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