Inspired by Marji of Fiber Arts Afloat I have been starting to go through my pattern stash, to see what I have in the way of warm outer layers that might be worth sewing up (hopefully without a gazillion tricky alterations). And I discovered that I really like to buy coat and jacket patterns (I haven’t even looked at ones that come as part of suits here…).
In reality I have actually made and worn exactly ONE of these patterns.
ONE!!
Most of these have only ever been out of the pattern envelope for a read, not even had the tissue unfolded, let alone cut:
Now, even bearing in mind that this represents *mumblety* years of pattern acquisition, that’s a lot of coats and jackets. Obviously I feel I NEED something warm, but just haven’t got around to MAKING it yet! Some of them I wonder WHAT I was thinking. Me, in a classic Chanel style? Ummmmm……
The one that I’ve made and worn so often that the hem and cuffs have abraded and the lining is about to disintegrate is the Burda 4385 here, in the longer style. Not in white, obviously - I don’t really do white, not even for shirts, let alone COATS! Mine was a red loose woven wool thing. I don’t think I even have it any more.
The one I’d most like to try next is the V8399 Marcy Tilton jacket - but the only review on PR says there are dreadful problems with the draft and the instructions - I find this odd, because normally Marcy’s patterns are really good. But as it “broadens shoulders” and I’m pretty sure my shoulders are somewhat broad anyway, it might not be a wise choice. (even if that WOULD make my waist look smaller…)
Anyone have a favourite out of those posted here? Anything you think look especially “Caity-esque”? I’d love some input!
I’m off to get Mr Beloved to help with the next step: Retrieving fabric tubs from the back of the shed so I can see if there’s a fabric I love that I can use for whichever pattern.
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Vogue 2949 - that’s the one Iwould like to see you make. Don’t know about its reviews or anything but I think it would look great on you… from my point of view - it looks comfy but still interesting and stylish..
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Hi Caity, I love the Vogue pattern by Sandra Betzina. Don’t really know you, but that’s the one I’d make myself
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Ah, Caity, I have some of those patterns too - equally unused…
I notice, however, that many of them are what you could call afashional, not specific to a year or season, based on interesting shapes, so they don’t date.
As to what to pick - if you’re shrinking as you are, wouldn’t you be better to go for one of the more unstructured ones, so you can still wear it for a while? By moving the quirky pin closure in a bit, you can have it not sagging or bagging, but still looking stylish. Maybe one of the kimono-inspired ones, or the less fitted Marcys.
The universe sent me a coat, so I didn’t make one. Found it in an op shop, classic black, cashmere/wool, fits well, one dryclean later (it was in good nick, but even so) and done! Oh, did I say $25 all up, including the dry cleaning? Bargain!
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For me, the Rio is just you, it has style and class and is not the norm!! I would wear it myself! What a good collection of coat patterns….
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Sue, Vogue 2949 is the only one of these patterns not physically in my stash - yet! It’s probably sitting in a freight terminal in LA or Sydney right now…. but I only paid $US 5.99 for it, so that’s ok!
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Karol -Ann, snap! That’s the one I’m really hanging out to make…. it just looks so versatile, you know? Like you could be a bit arty in it or close it quite conservatively.
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Roo, I reckon you’re right - unstructured is good for the next year to 18 months, I reckon!
What a SCORE on your op shop coat! Well done! And since you live in such a foggy chilly place I bet you get a lot of use from it.
Hmmm, quirky pin - that’s sounds like my kinda thang, huh?! Was going to try to get to the local craft markets in the morning if it’s not miserable and raining looking for exactly that… there’s a local enamel artist who does amazing stuff.
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Chriss, I adore the Rio, too - and because it’s such simple pattern pieces, it’s apparently quite easy to “enbiggen”, as George W (the bloody idiot!) would say.
It’s also quite unstructured and the instructions aren’t scary.. all good points…. and - I’ve shrunk enough that my measurements are closer to the LG than the XL - Oh yeaaaaaaaaaah!!!!
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I too am a pattern addict, and I especially love coat and cape patterns. (Maybe has something to do with the fact that my last name is Coate?) I even brought a bunch of patterns over with me when I moved to Italy. (I’m an American married to an Italian.) It’s hard to find plus-size patterns here, so fortunately I was able to take a design course that taught me how to make my own patterns. Now I can draw my own pattern to my own measurements whenever I see something I like. Saves a lot of money (patterns have gotten SO expensive!) Unfortunately I hardly have time to sew anymore.
Love your blog!
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