I've done a lot of sewing over the last couple of months towards our handmade Christmas. This was the big project! A corduroy coat for John.
He had seen a cord jacket on a website that he likes, but the fit was very narrow, more like a shirt than a jacket. So I took the features that he liked and drafted a coat pattern. The initial toile was slightly too slim and there was not enough movement in the arms. I changed the sleeve design and also lengthened the jacket. I used a coat that fits well to check my measurements.
The coat has a mandarin style stand collar, chest pockets and welt pockets. I included a yoke effect with design lines from the neck edge to the sleeve. I was going to do bound buttonholes, but the fabric was too tick so I ended up doing these on my Bernina. I have a onestep buttonholer on my Janome machine, but the buttons were too big for it, so it required a 4 step method on the other machine. My Bernina handles thicker fabric much better than the Janome.
The lining is a lovely bright pink flowery cotton. It really adds a bit of interest to the 1970's styling on the coat.
The coat includes shoulder pads and interfacing support in the upper bacjk and chest areas as well as the facings.
I really was pushed for time with this make as I tried to do it while John was out of the house, and get it finished for Christmas day. But I did make it, and John seems to like it.
A lovely jacket and a lovely line to it. Happy New Year, popping by from Creative Mondays.
ReplyDeleteThank You
DeleteGood job on the coat!
ReplyDeleteJohn's poses cracked me up...
he's a good sport, isn't he.
:-)
I wore corduroy coats during the 70s and I still love them, not that I have the originals. You've done an awesome job drafting the pattern for this coat and it looks fabulous, Claire.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, it was touch and go if the fit was going to be ok, thankfully it's fine.
DeleteGreat! The coat is a perfect fit and you did a wonderful job fitting him.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Deletehah awesome. I loved corduroy anything back then- we called it "cords": "So you're wearing the orange cords today to school?" IF you wanted to go FULL authentic '70s, the inside lining of that coat would not be a cool, handsome pink as you've done here, but a burnt orange, polyester silk OR a faux shearling, and oh one other thing- in the '70s everyone's clothes were worn much much smaller than now- that jacket would have been a size smaller at least on your guy. In fact, had this been the '70's, everyone would be all like "Oh man, tsk tsk, that jacket's WAY too big on you..."
ReplyDeleteHey I'm not criticizing your skills, I'm reminiscing how terrible the clothes in the '70s were!
Don't believe me, go watch a '70s game show on that new game show network that's over the air, I just cringe at the pathetic feathered hair and too small polyester clothes we all had. Barf!
You made a really neat '70s pattern coat. But, our inside lining could never have been that cool of a color and design- no way no how. :) CHEERS
I know it's not quite true to the original styling of the 70's, but hey it needs to be worn, so a little more ease in the fit and a funky lining makes it more appropriate to now. My everlasting memory of the 70's was nylon sheets - eugh!
DeleteIt's my fault. Being fat means I'm a bit self conscious about things being too tight. Claire was kind in making me soemthing which I'd be comfortable wearing. The original was a lot more "pinched" in the waist.
DeleteThat is a fabulously impressive jacket - just the right touch of 70s sentiment - I want one for myself! What a joy it must be for you to sew for someone so appreciative, it shows!
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