Well, here it is. I started with pattern pieces from two coat patterns. One was a trench coat and the other was a wool pea coat. No one makes patterns for down coats. I added the zipper, hood, and pockets and figured out how to add enough room for the down. It reminds me of the US postal service uniforms. The coat has three complete layers of fabric – the shell and lining are the same blue nylon. Then there’s an interlining of polar fleece to add warmth and prevent the feathers from coming through the shell. The hood is lined with fake fur. It was labeled monster fur, but it reminds me more of seal fur. The cuffs have thick wool knit inner cuffs that extend past my wrist. These were cut from some worn out socks. The quilting is all done by hand on the inside of the coat.
I’m incredibly happy to be finished with this coat, as it has been the most difficult garment I’ve made. I hated the entire process. I’m also happy because the coat fits and is very warm and doesn’t look terrible. The parts I really like are the cuffs because I was able to recycle the old socks, and the hood, which falls into a collar while being one piece. I designed that myself and it looks cool. The terrible part of the coat doesn’t show in the picture, but it really makes a bell shape. The bottom doesn’t fall straight, but fans out in a cone which looks ridiculous. This didn’t happen until I put the feathers in- and there was no going back at that point.
8 comments:
WOW this is amazing. It looks so warm - and those cuffs are such a practical touch that so many coats don't have. And that hood really does look like a collar from the front. You're some sort of genius. I'm so impressed! Congratulations, Keiler!
How many monsters had to die so you could have a hood on your coat? Frankly, I'm shocked. ;) I'm also terribly impressed by your super-complex coat! Way to go!
No monsters were harmed - but I feel really guilty about the geese that provided the down.
Whatever. There were those geese a few years back that raided that village and carried off that little girl... geese totally have it coming.
Keiler, I am so impressed! What a nice coat, and what patience and perseverence you have!
Well done!
Having seen it in person, I can say it doesn't make a funny bell shape. It looks amazing. You are doing a great job!
I was checking the net for a pattern for a down filled coat and saw your blog. I saw the picture and thought it looked familiar and then noticed your location. Beautiful! Shot on the lakefront in Evanston.
I will head down to Vogue an get the fabrics you mentioned and start on a coat for myself. I have the down and the sewing machine and knowing that someone else could do it, well then so can I.
Thanks.
Linda C.
Evanston, IL
Good Luck, Linda! One huge mistake I made was not sewing quilting lines before filling the coat with the down. Once it's full I couldn't even hand sew through the layers without feathers getting stuck in every stitch. I ended up hand quilting the inside layers, which took forever and didn't look good.
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