Michael's coat is finished -- a few days after his birthday I'm afraid -- and here are some photos of him wearing it!
I don't think I ever mentioned that the pattern I used as a base is a vintage Seventies unisex hooded caftan pattern, Butterick 5151. Why did I use a caftan pattern, you're probably wondering. Honestly, I don't even remember. I wanted a very basic, slightly A-line shape (two simple fronts and a back), with a hood, a center zipper (which I extended down to the hem) and one-piece sleeves. Naturally I shortened the length (can you image a floor-length fur coat on Michael?), eliminated the pocket, and, since Michael is somewhat broad across the front, I added roughly 2" to the total front width. That's about it. I also added front facings and a lining.
It certainly doesn't look like a caftan now.
I don't think I'll be making another faux fur coat for a while: it took me three years from the time we bought the fur and the lining (from Mood Fabrics) to make this one. I'm glad to have cleared out some space in my fabric cabinet by using this bulky fur yardage. Actually, I think I've already filled that empty space.
As with all my other fur coat projects, I have a lot of scraps. What to do with them all?
And that's it!
Exciting days ahead in the USA: stay calm, stay safe, and happy sewing!
Posts
looks beautiful, Peter...nice that you looked for a shape & re-worked it into a totally different kind of garment...that's always been the way I work as well...I don't have the room to totally draft patterns, so I look for a shape & work from there...Michael looks terrific as well...love his tousled hair style....
ReplyDeleteHandsome coat on a handsome and happy man.
ReplyDeleteTerrific job. Appreciate the detailed photos and descriptions of your sewing process. Hope to get up the nerve to try a similar coat.
ReplyDeleteThe coat turned out great! And the color is very flattering on Michael. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the caftan pattern was a good starting point for the coat; the fewer seams in fake fur, the better. A good example of being able to see the possibilities of a pattern with a bit of imagination.
The coat is beautiful and suits Michael very well! It was a pleasure to share the process and result vicariously. :)
ReplyDeleteI love it, you always make me smile and your sewing skills are just...over the moon...great. I aspire to sew with such precision as you...i know, this sounds fawning but the admiration is sincere...We are thinking of our neighbors to the south on this day...and your ending sentiment should be everyone's mantra today..."stay calm and stay safe" and everyone BE KIND.
ReplyDeleteLovely of course! And wow! That pattern is one of the first I ever bought and made up- I made it in a soft brushed brown denim, and wore it [well it was the seventies] to the charity premiere of Star Wars! I wore it for lounging round the house for many years, until post-baby bust increases made it too tight. I later made the man's version for my dad, who wore it for YEARS [I think it retired in the 90s] Memory lane or what?
ReplyDeleteI love the coat. You do beautiful work. For your scrap furry fabric, why not sew them together and make a dog bed/blanket/snuggy for them to sleep in. MY dogs like those snuggy beds that have a padded bottom and then an opening in the side so they can slide into and snuggle nice and warm. Here are a couple of examples.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.wish.com/product/59aa77432382706325369d2e?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=US&_force_currency_code=USD&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=59aa77432382706325369d2e&ad_cc=US&ad_curr=USD&ad_price=5.00&fallback_cids=5bbd6c87e9a4052ca5a80f40&campaign_id=7203534630&gclid=CjwKCAiAnIT9BRAmEiwANaoE1ScKWwQhu4eniTauadlCKm7-EL3EfUkqcDzTbzCJ2Mu8HwE6Q9ag1RoCWUoQAvD_BwE&share=web
https://www.wayfair.com/pet/pdp/tucker-murphy-pet-iowa-vegan-leather-deep-dish-cave-hooded-dog-bed-w002620587.html
https://snoozerpetproducts.com/product/snoozer-orthopedic-cozy-cave-pet-bed-p-264/?dfw_tracker=34046-87700&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google-shopping_high-priority&gclid=CjwKCAiAnIT9BRAmEiwANaoE1VMZTpblmipE-7g9xzJFrXQN6jIsgM9hP3b-_iwM3LSmi3bjhLxLLRoCvpsQAvD_BwE
My cats like the open ones too, so it is a win either way at my house for these types of beds.
I hope that idea helps you. I enjoy your posts. Hugs, Wanda
Waw! I like that coat! I wouldn't mind wearing it myself!
ReplyDeleteAs always, this one is fabulous!!!!
ReplyDeleteShed the coat and show the suit!
ReplyDeleteMr Peter, I adore your cousin Cathy, but Michael looks really great in that beautiful coat...starting to dig him, too! Keep up the amazing work! --Erik in NW Ohio
ReplyDeleteSO fantastic! I love everything about this. That hood is ah-maaa-zing. The lining is perfect and beautiful. Thank you for inspiring us to try faux fur.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Michael! It's a great jacket and terrific hack of your pattern. I love Michael's pandemic hair.
ReplyDeleteThat's a super coat. Nice job done and he looks so chuffed wrapped up in it! I can't imagine it was easy to sew with all that fluff. I suppose cushion covers can be made from scraps or cuddly toys - or donate to a local school.
ReplyDeleteMake him a Karakul hat from the scraps? That coat looks very toasty! (I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes 3 years to complete some projects!)
ReplyDeleteDear Peter,
ReplyDeleteYou have made a man, very happy and proud. Look at his eyes when he is watching the camera (you). With other words a fab. sewed and designed coat for your hubby. With the leftovers you could make, like suggested earlier, make a hat, or a sleeve. (Personally I would rake a fork over the stitchline so that the hairs would come up from under the yarn. In that way you won't see a connection)
Gorgeous coat, and Michael does an excellent runway pose.
ReplyDeleteThree years to complete a project? Hah, amateur. I have at least one unfinished that's old enough to vote.