When it comes to purchasing fabric online the most asked question is how to determine what fabric for what application? My answer for a winter coat is always wool. Because wool comes in so many variations and it tends to last I am wools biggest fan. Because I purchase 99% of my fabric online and I’m way too impatient to order samples, reading the fabric description and content is crucial. I know if I want to make a more structured coat, I need to have a medium to heavy weight wool. If you’re not familiar with online fabric shopping that may sound completely foreign and overwhelming so I’ll describe the process I took in selecting this fabric at moodfabrics.com for this oversized coat to make it a bit easier.
I knew I wanted to make a structured coat and I wanted it to be gray, so I hover over fashion fabric from the Moodfabrics.com home page, from there I click on wool and view all. Under the color drop down, I select gray and because I knew I wanted a fabric without any pattern, under the pattern drop down I selected solid. This takes the selection from 31 pages down to a manageable 3. From here I scan the fabric to see which shade I’m interested in and begin to eliminate the ones that are not medium to heavy weight which will be noted in the fabric description along with any other helpful info that will help you make a decision. The great thing about moodfabrics.com is the image provided gives a true depiction of the fabric and feel without actually being able to feel it so make sure you view all the images provided. The images for this gray Rag & Bone fabric I selected allowed me to see the true texture and structure of this fabric.
This process gives me the ability to pin point exactly what I’m looking for and guarantees I will be satisfied with the selection when it arrives.
This coat was made using Vogue V8862 view C with the following alterations:
-Removed 1.5″ from the top of the collar and cut the collar on a curve which will round out the square edges of the collar
-Removed the seam from the top of pattern piece #9 and bottom of pattern piece #1
-Added 3″ to length
-Used 2 layers of interfacing in the collar which will create a very structured oversized collar
-Added side seam pockets
-Fully lined the coat with a grey bemberg I had in my stash.
Note: I used 3 yards of fabric for this coat
This wool is fantastic, it cuts, sews and irons nicely and is very warm.
Chandler’s coat was made using this wool/cashmere coating
Shop the look
Love this coat!! You did a beautiful job, and Chandler’s coat is too cute. Was Chandler’s coat self-drafted or did you use a pattern. I would love to make my daughter a similar coat! Thank you!!
Thank you Brittany. It’s self drafted but I’m making another right now and will upload the pattern and instructions. I plan to get it done this week. :-
Hi Nikki, that would be awesome if you could share the pattern. Will it be in 2T or larger? Thanks :)!
It will be 2T-10
Absolutely gorgeous coat Nkki, it’s so very stylish and is my very next project! Please can I ask what size you cut to utilise your 3 yard usage? I’m not particularly comfortable in front of the camera but I promise a pic when it’s finished! Many thanks Mo
Hi Mo I cut a medium which is still pretty oversized. I would love to see an after pic. Don’t forget 🙂
Incredible. This coat has inspired me to break out my machine again. It’s been a while – would you say that this is on the ‘easier’ side for someone who may not be as experienced…or not so much?
Thank you
With the alterations I made to the pattern I think it made it easier. It removed several seams which always make a pattern easier to work with especially when working with a thicker fabric.
I love this coat and it looks GREAT on you. Chandler’s coat is nice as well. She’s the little fashionista. When she starts school, she’s going to set the bar HIGH for fashion.
Thank you LaToria
Beautiful. Your coat looks much better than the one that inspired you.
What type of iron do you use to steam your seams
So Classy as always! I’m making this one too Nikki! Love your work!
I’m making this in a pastel green neoprene. That wool $$$$ though!!!! I love your style so much.
How did you fully line the coat of the pattern does not come with lining patterns?
If the pattern doesn’t call for a lining, simply cut lining pieces using the same fabric pattern pieces but remove 1″ from the length of the pattern. If the pattern has a front facing, remember to remove the facing portion for the lining.
This particular coat has a front facing that covers the entire front of the coat, so you only need to cut a lining for the back and sleeves.
Thank you so much
Thank you
Hi Nicole,
If you are looking to make this coat with Nikki’s alterations check out Angela Kane’s website on the link bellow – she has a free roll collar coat tutorial that has a very similar construction method to this coat. Its beautifully filmed with very clear step by step instructions. I’m a huge Nikki fan and a novice DIY seamstress and although I have been sewing for years, this is my first attempt at a coat, because I love this one so much! With the help of the tutorial its almost finished and I cannot wait to wear it 🙂
The website offers access to good patterns, some of them free, e-books and exceptionally good free tutorials that will help you.
https://angelakane.com/free-sewing-videos/
Good luck
Mo
Thanks Nikki – promised pictures very soon !