Winter Coat, Vogue 1083

This was finished a few weeks ago, though I may tart it up with some buttons.  The pattern was Vogue 1083 which is given an average sewing rating.  I'd say that's about right.  The material was a brown-and-white checked wool blend (which frayed like hell), the lining was rayon acetate and the interlining a lightweight flannel.

Overall it was much easier and went much faster than I thought it would.  I was certainly helped by the fact that I had a dressform which my enabling mother talked me into buying (Hi Mom!) which I'd strongly recommend getting if you're going to do this kind of sewing.

According to the Vogue size charts I should have made this four sizes larger than I ended up using thanks to my chest measurements.  However, for an exterior garment, particularly one that is supposed to be loose-fitting (as this one is), I had a feeling I would be swimming in fabric if I used the listed size (which was an eighteen -- patterns don't vanity size).  So, I took a chance and bought the AA rather than the EE, and made it in a twelve.  I've tried it on with clothes I would wear in the winter time and it fits just fine.

I got the wool on Fabric.com at $2.95 a yard.  I bought 8 yards figuring I'd screw something up and need to re-cut, but I didn't and ended up using the approximately 5 yards called for by the pattern.  I got the lining and interlining at Jo-Ann Fabrics on sale -- I think the lining ended up being $2.99/yard and the interlining also $2.99/yard, 4 yards each.  Then there was thread, interfacing, and the pattern (also got that on sale at $4.99).  Altogether I think I spent around $50 to make this, including thread etc.

For future projects I'll show things as they're being constructed, but here is the finished product:

 

The image quality is kind of crappy, but there it is.  It fits well, is nice and warm and should last for a few years.  Total time, start to finish, about 3 weeks.