This year I thought I’d give coat-making another go and chose this pattern.
I chose this because:
1 – The pattern is in short sizes 17-21.
Burdastyle has two pattern sizing charts – size 34-52 designed for women height 168cm and short fitting sizes 17-26 for women height 160cm. I’m 162cm, so short sizing – CHECK!
2 – According to Burdastyle this coat pattern is designed for women with small busts and wider hips – so again – CHECK!
3 – Burdastyle also recommends using a patterned stripe fabric and I’m using this:-
So again – CHECK!
I bought this fabric at this year’s autumn Hollander Stoff Market in Karlsruhe, Germany and the vendor assured me that it’s by designer, Chanel. Not sure if this is really true but the guy who told me this does have designer fabrics so maybe it is, but either way, I really like it.
I’d decided to replace the hook and eye fastenings used in the pattern for a double ended zip because for a winter coat, that just makes more sense to me.
So far so good! I thought I’d hit upon a perfectly designed pattern for me and my fabric.
The thing I was wary about was the gathering on the skirt. How would that work in thick wool, I wondered?
I thought it wise to do a coat muslin first and thanks to a tip from Crab and Bee , this old bed sheet has now been reborn!
But check out that gathering! Words fail me! Next time, I’m going to ignore the model pictures in Burdastyle magazine because on one page the model is wearing the coat for shorties (height 160cm/5ft 3ins) and on the other page she’s wearing a top designed for taller women (height 176cm/5ft 9ins) and she looks good in both! Go figure!
I include the following shot for your entertainment only!
l know, I know, I look like an extra from the Harrison Ford movie ‘Witness’!
And just to tickle your funny bones even more, here’s a back shot!
So happy now that I only subjected an old bed sheet to this and not my precious wool!
On the upside, the fit of the bodice is quite good so I’ve cut the extra peplum pattern pieces to make this jacket instead:-
Only question now is, do I still use the same fabric, bearing in mind that I have just less than three metres of it? Or do I use that for another longer coat and if so, which pattern?
I think this wool would be nice as this jacket and maybe I could squeeze a skirt out of what’s left.
What do you think? I’d be very grateful for suggestions, thanks!
