corduroy coat
November 5th, 2009
At the beginning of fall I made a list of the things I wanted to make for my family, but I didn’t want to post it because I was afraid I wouldn’t get any of it done, then I would feel guilty and get crabby and nothing would get done. But shockingly, I am slowly crossing things off. The purple pants and skirt, a little red riding hood cape (for her birthday), and now this coat. I was very nervous when I wrote “a coat for each” on my list, but this came together relatively simply. I bought the pattern ages ago at a thrift store for ten cents and it was super easy. Raglan sleeves, baby. They make everything easier. The only thing that tripped me up was the collar, which I had to rip out three times before I got it right and I’m glad I did. Normally I would just say screw it and push on, but I was feeling extra patient for some reason. Plus it has to stand up to be handed down now that he has a little brother.
The very best part of the coat, though, is the lining. It’s made from a felted cashmere sweater and holy crap does it feel nice. I was lucky enough to find an XL cashmere sweater (for 5 bucks!) right when I was looking for a lining and it was just, just enough. Lining a coat is super simple: right sides facing, sew all around, turn inside out and sew up the opening. The sleeves are a little different, but that shouldn’t deter you. You too can make a coat for your kid! I feel like clothes are getting more and more expensive as they get more and more cheaply made.
Okay one more thing about the coat and then I’ll be done. The buttons. They are beautiful. I was going to use up whatever matched from my button jar, but a friend told me to go to Gayfeather, which if you are local know is a beautiful fabric store, but I bet you never noticed their button cabinet. It’s awesome. I love the burnished look of them and that everyone is different.
After all the swearing and unpicking of seams, it’s just feels ridiculously good to see him always choose this coat to wear. Now I have to figure out how to make the one his sister has been asking for.
it is wonderful. I especially like the buttons you chose. I’d love to have one similar like it for myself! xo sharilyn
What a perfect coat. I have great plans to make one for my daughter – preferably the same one that I made before (http://uklassinus.blogspot.com/2007/09/waiting-for-winter.html), but Christmas and winter have the annoying tendency of sneaking up at the same time…
Sorry, I put brackets and messed up the link:
http://uklassinus.blogspot.com/2007/09/waiting-for-winter.html
Gosh this is wonderful! I want one for myself! And I would love to make something similar for my son, if only I could get him into a coat at all… I’ve just started following your blog (as a terrible lurker) and I’m really enjoying it. Thank you!
[…] which is long overdue at the library. My son picked out the gold yarn at the yarn store to match his coat and I picked out the blue, so it wouldn’t be so matchy matchy. The pattern called for three […]
This jacket is fantastic. I love the way you did the lining. I have been wanting to do something similar for my daughter with the Sugar City coat pattern. Now I must go find an old, soft sweater!
can I be in love with a coat???? I hear you about clothes becoming more expensive and cheaply made. It’s few and far between that I can actually hand something down between my four. I’ve been in search of a great simple coat to make. I’ll have to go search for the raglan sleeve version. Love the idea for the lining. Thanks for sharing!!!
I am new to your blog.
I just love this coat especially the lining!
OK! My jaw has dropped! I am humbled! What a beautiful coat!
so awesome.
I love using felted cashmere for stuff. It is heavenly and so dang cheap when you’re lucky enough to find it at the thrift. I use felted sweaters for so much – its oddly satisfying to have such a large piece of felt to work with when you’re done.
Great coat!
[…] coat has been a long time coming. I started it right after I finished making my son’s coat–high off success I suppose–but it stalled soon after when she tried on the rough draft […]
Wow, that’s really amazing. Beautiful work!
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