November 14, 2006
A wool coat
In the past few months, I've really gotten into sewing, exclusively using the Built by Wendy sewing patterns. The styles are cute and modern, plus I like the idea of sewing basic wardrobe pieces.
I worked both from her book, Sew U, and from the Simplicity patterns, and much prefer the Simplicity patterns. They have more detailed instructions that helped me as a beginning sewer. For example, in Sew U, it talks all about pant pocket placement and how important this is, but the pant pattern doesn't provide a baseline to work from.. The Simplicity pant pattern however, outlines exactly where the pockets should go.
Almost complete is a wool coat from the coat/jacket pattern.
The exterior is basic navy wool felt coating and the interior is a fun yellow/navy plaid, also wool. I went with traditional peacoat buttons, the ones with anchors on them. The only things left to do are tacking down the lining seams and hand sewing the lining hem.
Comments (44)
I knew that coat would be fab! I love that you picked such a bright lining. How does it fit and is it hard to sew with wool?
Posted by Angela | November 14, 2006 12:16 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 12:16
You made that?!? Looks like it has a ton of little details - amazing!
Posted by grumperina | November 14, 2006 12:25 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 12:25
Wow. That is an awesome coat. I really like the idea of sewing a wool coat, but it seems kind of scary. I'll have to check out that pattern and see if I could handle it. Love the plaid with the basic navy - nicely done.
Posted by Stephanie | November 14, 2006 12:25 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 12:25
Welcome back! I've recently become interested in sewing myself; looking forward to seeing your new FO's!
Posted by Kellyt | November 14, 2006 12:28 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 12:28
Is sewing more cost effective than knitting or is it the customization and creativity that's the real selling point?
Posted by freecia | November 14, 2006 12:54 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 12:54
Hey, great coat! I didn't love the first two BBW patterns Simplicity did, but it looks like I should go check out the newer seasons...
Posted by katy | November 14, 2006 1:21 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 13:21
That coat looks fantastic. I'm so happy to hear you like the Simplicity patterns, because I just bought two instead of buying Sew U. I'm not a regular reader so I don't know how experienced a sewer you are, but what level do you recommend for trying the jacket pattern?
Posted by Megann | November 14, 2006 1:55 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 13:55
hey lady! i like the coat! your new site looks awesome on internet explorer, but on mozilla it seems to have some troubles!
Posted by SQ | November 14, 2006 2:12 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 14:12
Awesome work! i love the lining. Did you ever sew up the Amy Butler halter? I had planned on it but never got to it.
Posted by lori z | November 14, 2006 2:20 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 14:20
You can make a coat and you still consider yourself somewhat of a beginner? I think you're going to have to up that title. :) The coat is just lovely.
Posted by Maggie | November 14, 2006 2:37 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 14:37
Wow! That coat looks amazing. I"m inspired to start sewing again...the built by wendy patterns look great.
Posted by Krista | November 14, 2006 3:11 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 15:11
Ohmygod! That is amazing. You have done a fabulous job there.
Posted by Maritza | November 14, 2006 3:29 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 15:29
Wow! That's great. I'm just starting to sew, and I can't imagine tackling a big coat like that. Way to go!
Posted by Jes | November 14, 2006 3:40 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 15:40
Love the coat! You did an awesome job and I LOVE your fabric selections!
Posted by erica b. | November 14, 2006 5:33 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 17:33
Looks great! Did you have any trouble sewing through multiple layers of wool? Seems like it might get a little tricky in the thicker areas (like where the wrist button band thing-a-majiggys are sewin into the arm seam).
Posted by Cyndi | November 14, 2006 5:37 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 17:37
Holy crap! That's so awesome! I've really been trying to get into sewing but I have *so much* to learn. I'll have to try some of those Simplicity patterns. Your coat is gorgeous!
Posted by Annie | November 14, 2006 5:39 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 17:39
OK, you can't call yourself a beginning sewer anymore. That totally rocks. I would get so frustrated that I'd end up with a pile of wasted fabric.
Posted by Elinor | November 14, 2006 5:46 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 17:46
wow! you HAVE been sewing! this is definitely way beyond "beginner" status. that coat is going to be fabulous!
Posted by gleek | November 14, 2006 5:59 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 17:59
wow! i'm super impressed! the coat looks so store-bought! i have yet to sew with wool. is it different from cotton? you must model it when it's all done!
Posted by blossom | November 14, 2006 6:08 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 18:08
Absolutely fabulous! I'm so impressed! I can't wait to see the modeled photos. And if you are sewing wool coats, I think you've moved beyond the "beginnining sewer" title. =)
Posted by caitlyn | November 14, 2006 6:29 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 18:29
that is amazing! i bought sew u a few months ago but have yet to break out my sewing machine and try anything. but now you've gotten me inspired to do so!
Posted by melissa | November 14, 2006 6:32 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 18:32
Wow! I'm impressed with the rest of them - what a great jacket, totally inspiring.
Posted by Schrodinger | November 14, 2006 6:34 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 18:34
That looks fantastic!! I've been tempted to get these books before, now I really have to!
Posted by Julia | November 14, 2006 7:40 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 19:40
I bought Sew U a month ago, and then ran out of free time. Now I have it back, and you've inspired me to look at the book again!
And I think I must go find that coat pattern too...
Posted by Heather | November 14, 2006 8:19 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 20:19
oh wow! that's so awesome!! you have to model for us.
Posted by vanessa | November 14, 2006 8:21 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 20:21
Wow! That's awesome!
Posted by scout | November 14, 2006 10:13 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 22:13
That is really a lovely coat. Ad thanks for mentioning that about the book vs. the simplicity patterns. I had ben considering th ebook, but now I think I might us stick to the pattern.
Posted by Robyn | November 14, 2006 11:15 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 23:15
How awesome! I don't know that I have the guts to try and sew a coat, probably wouldn't have even though about it actually.
Posted by Vicki | November 14, 2006 11:21 PM
Posted on November 14, 2006 23:21
ahhh now we get to see what you've been working on
this coat looks great, I really like the surprise lining. how long did it take you? who knows, maybe it will actually get cold soon so we can see you out and about in it :)
Posted by yahaira | November 15, 2006 1:34 AM
Posted on November 15, 2006 01:34
whoa d, I'd never believe anyone made that. amazing!
Posted by Nancy | November 15, 2006 1:56 AM
Posted on November 15, 2006 01:56
It is very inspiring!
Posted by fleur | November 15, 2006 8:38 AM
Posted on November 15, 2006 08:38
omg you made a coat!?! i am so impressed! it looks fantastic.
Posted by kris | November 15, 2006 9:17 AM
Posted on November 15, 2006 09:17
Wow, great coat, love the lining, beautiful work
Posted by Liz Kalloch | November 15, 2006 11:05 AM
Posted on November 15, 2006 11:05
what a great coat!!!!! It is very impressive - love the lining!
Posted by stacey | November 15, 2006 11:40 AM
Posted on November 15, 2006 11:40
the coat looks great! good job! i love the Sew U book, I need to put it on my wishlist for christmas!
Posted by melissa | November 15, 2006 12:27 PM
Posted on November 15, 2006 12:27
Welcome back! The coat looks really really great.
Posted by Elli | November 15, 2006 10:24 PM
Posted on November 15, 2006 22:24
WOW! i'm very impressed, thats great. I'm really looking forward to the modeled shots!
Posted by j a r e d | November 16, 2006 10:37 AM
Posted on November 16, 2006 10:37
Welcome back! The coat looks amazing. Will you model it for us?
Posted by seedless grape | November 16, 2006 5:39 PM
Posted on November 16, 2006 17:39
Wow, that was a beautiful jacket. Please show us pictures of your other built by Wendy projects! By the way, I can't find many patterns to buy on her web site. I would like to have a pattern for a dress for example.
Posted by Elena | November 17, 2006 5:19 PM
Posted on November 17, 2006 17:19
DUDE--you sewed a COAT!?! I know it's possible, but what the heck kind of machine do you have.
It's gorgeous!!
Posted by colleen | November 18, 2006 9:39 AM
Posted on November 18, 2006 09:39
The coat look phenomenal - so stylish. I am amazed that you MADE a coat! :)
Posted by Lolly | November 20, 2006 1:15 PM
Posted on November 20, 2006 13:15
It is lovely! Where did you find your coating fabric? I have been searching everywhere for stuff at a decent price and have come up empty...
Posted by Villain Extraordinaire | November 21, 2006 3:32 PM
Posted on November 21, 2006 15:32
Hi-
I enjoyed the coat, I am looking to make a peacoat.
What are some of the better patterns yo could suggest?
Posted by Jess | December 16, 2006 2:49 PM
Posted on December 16, 2006 14:49
Wow... I'd love to make one of those in a nontraditional color/pattern...
how much do you estimate your total cost?
Posted by Melissa | February 12, 2007 9:02 PM
Posted on February 12, 2007 21:02