Grey Tweed Coat

 

 

This is the second coat I made from my original coat pattern.

The pattern is made for my mother who is more of an average height of Japanese women than I, so it looks a bit shorter on me than it is supposed to.

 



 

I made this coat to be displayed in a café owned by a friend of mine in Japan.  I think I will make some minor changes to perfect the pattern further… not very satisfied with sleeves and upper skirt pattern…

Also, pockets will be nice for a coat.  I didn’t make pockets for the pattern originally because of my mother’s requests.  She wanted a foldable light coat she could carry around in her purse… hence, I eliminated pockets, shoulder pads, and anything that might add bulk to the coat.

The fabric is some wool blend that I purchased several years ago in Oklahoma.  This time I fully lined the coat.

 

 





It’s beginning to look like winter around here…or so I hear at the local mall that plays Christmas music on repeat already…

 

 

 

(Off the topic...but I was wondering if anyone had problems making photos bigger on Blogger posts?? For me, sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.... :(  )

 

 

 

 

 

Original Design Coat for Mom

My mother in Japan asked me to make an unlined Jacket for her... She said she couldn't find anything she liked in stores.

She wanted:

 

-unlined

-synthetic fabric (so wind does not go through)

-foldable to fit in her bag when she is not wearing it

-won't wrinkle

-light weight

-high-waisted

-knee length

-double as a raincoat

 

 

I wouldn't say these requests are demanding... actually, if I were designing for a theatre play, this list would go on like this:

 

 

-glow in the dark

-break away on a cue

-change color in the second act

-need a secret pocket to hide a bucket of paint

-oh by the way, need ten coats like this by tomorrow's rehearsal

(...And I wish I was kidding...sigh... but I'm not complaining... These challenges are the very things that make designing theatre costumes exciting. )

 

Anyhow, my mother's wishes were very reasonable and achievable. Here is what I came up with:

 
It's made of 100% polyester crepe.

I started with this line drawing and draped the whole coat pattern.

It was probably easier to draft though because of all the ruffles...

 
There is a hidden pleat in the center back for wearing ease.













The coat is above-knee length on me, but my mom is shorter than me so it should be just at the knees or a little below knees on her.

 

 

 

It makes me want to swirl!

 

This was also a debut garment for my brand new clothing tag!!