Whew Just in the Nick of Time
TaDa, the Dot Coat is finished. Just as we got another dump of snow this week. Arrggghh, I hate winter. This coat will brighten it up!
I made this coat for two reasons. The first being that I have wanted to make this coat ever since I designed it in design class. I have made coats since but in the back of my mind I knew I would sew this coat one day. When I design it, I was inspired by the voluminous coats that Balenciaga had created. During the patternmaking, I changed the coat a lot from the original design, and it was a smooth and easy process (I talk about the patternmaking in this post).
Yes, Colder Than Mars
The second reason that I wanted to make this coat is that it will fill a huge gap in my wardrobe. I live near the capital city of Canada, Ottawa. It is one of the capitals of the world with the largest swing in temperatures. We are not the coldest or the hottest, but the difference between our highs and lows are the largest. We have days in winter when it is colder here than on Mars and other days in summer when I want to peel off my own skin I am so hot. Like a lot of Canadians, I wear a long dark coloured parka style coat for more than a quarter of the year. The dark colour means the salt and dirt from your car will not ruin your jacket and the fur-like collar and maximum coverage mean you will not freeze to death if your car breaks down on the side of the road at 2 o’clock in the morning.
I’m Over Winter
But what about the times earlier and later in the winter season when it is cold but not frostbite in under 2 minutes weather? I had no coat for this part of winter. I wanted a winter-is-almost-over-I-think-Spring-is-coming-soon-coat. It would not need to be as long as my winter coat or as warm. It also should be bright as if it is encouraging Spring to arrive. I wanted the coat to be roomy enough to fit over sweaters but not make me look shapeless. I love all the interesting sleeve shapes we see now on the runway, and I want a coat that can handle everything from an oversized sleeve to a dolman sleeve. I hate when your top bunches up at the underarm because there is no room for it fabulousness in the sleeves of the coat you are wearing. You can see where I am going with this right? The Dot Coat is my answer.
There are a few things I would change for the next time I make this coat:
- I would choose large covered buttons instead of hidden snaps
- I would put a vent in the CB seam
- I would change the colours from yellow and blue to red and black (see an example in this post – Style #2.)
What Do YouThink?
Overall I love the coat (even if I don’t like yellow). It is warm, comfortable, and stands out. I would love to know what you think of the coat and what if anything you would change.
Are you kidding me?! This coat is the bizzzz nezzzz!!! I Love It!!!!!
Thanks, Carol you just made my day! I have enjoyed wearing the coat around town. No way am I getting hit by a car; it is impossible not to see me walking across the street. 🙂
Oh, Dawn! What a beautiful modern coat! I’m waiting eagerly to buy the pattern even though I live in Texas where we wear sleeveless garments most of the year. The trendy yellow looks great and you’re wearing it like you own it — oh wait, you do own it. (crappy humor on my part).
While you finish the pattern, I’ll be weighing alternatives fabrics that may work in semi-tropical climates. Thank you for sharing your design process.
I would love to make the pattern lined and unlined and suitable for different fabrics. I still need to experiment more, but I plan on making a denim coat with bias binding on the inside as well as the lined wool version. I am curious what it will look like in a raincoat fabric as well. I will sell the pattern, but I need it to be perfect first. Thanks for the kind words, Samina. I love your sense of humour do not change it! Thanks again.
Okay, I have been waiting for the big reveal! You most certainly did not disappoint. You are so talented. Your creations are all nice, but this coat is definitely a ‘home run’. I love the style, the color blocking and how it looks on you. I live in Houston, TX and we do get some cold days and I love coats! This coat would dress up a casual t-shirt, and jeans with a pair of nice heels. The outer wear makes the statement when wearing everyday casual wear. I can’t wait for the pattern to go on sale. Count me in for sure!
Wow, Patricia thank you for the amazing message!!!! I love the coat too and am planning on making it in different fabrics beside wool. I think it would interesting in denim too. I was very worried that I wouldn’t like the colour combination on me when I first chose the fabrics but sometimes you need to shake yourself out of your comfort zone. I am happy I did.
I have a wall in my sewing room where I put up cards and emails that have messages that truly make me feel fabulous and grateful. These supportive messages keep me moving forward when I need a boost. Your comment is so lovely that it is getting printed off and put on that wall. Thanks again, Patricia.