Thursday, January 22, 2015

Vogue 8933 - Hot pink wool coat

I am not fond of winter. Having lived my entire life in south Texas, I am a winter wimp. The only thing I do like about cold weather is the reason to wear cute outerwear. For the past 3 or 4 years I have purchased a coat in January after they are all put on sale, and have the standard colors of beige, black and white. (Also yellow, but that’s not exactly a standard color.) This year I decided to try my hand at making one in a bright hue. I swatched this bright pink and purple checked wool from Mood Fabrics and fell in love with its texture and weight.


I chose Vogue 8933 because it has simple lines and wouldn’t cut up the large squares of my fabric too much. I really liked the angled fronts of this design as well as the asymmetrical closing and welt pockets. I had to cut the collar way down as I feel chocked in high necklines. The back collar is 2″ high, so I believe it was reduced by at least 2.5″. As drafted, the collar of this coat is super tall. The overlap was also very wide, so I trimmed it down on both sides as well. I did that on the fly, though, and just eyeballed it to what I thought would look good.


Another fun thing about this pattern is the ability to wear it in different ways. I can snap it all the way up on cold days when I want my neck to stay warm or unsnap the top when I want more of a casual look. And I LOVE the pockets! I finally conquered my fear of making welts and am so proud of these. This pattern does include side pockets so you can choose which ones you want to undertake. I chose the welt pockets to add a bit of interest.


I cut a straight size 12, my usual Vogue size, and made no alterations for fit. The only changes I did make, other then the collar, were to interface the welt area on the coat, leave off the interfacing on the actual welt flaps and omit the topstitching. I also added 1/4″ shoulder pads. I cut the fabric in a single layer in order to match the lines horizontally and vertically, and I cut the backs so that they would have the same size squares down the center seam.


Typically, when working with wool fabrics, I’ll throw them in the dryer with a damp towel and dry on hot. I forgot to do that this time until after it was all cut out. Happily, when I tested a square with my high powered steam iron, it did not shrink. This fabric has a black webbing on the underside which makes it not ravel as easily as other textured coatings I’ve worked with.

Dressform pictures:




Here you can see the texture of the fabric better. The website calls the color of the lines grayhound but I found them more of a lavender.



I love the look of these giant snaps but they always take forever to sew on. I did my own thing when placing them on the coat. The directions call for hooks and eyes at the top of the collar which I ignored. Also, since I changed the size of the collar, I had to position the other ones so that the front would fall open nicely when the top snap was undone.


I used a lavender viscose lining for the interior, also from Mood. It’s a little thicker then ambiance and I thought it would be good for a coat. All the hems were done by hand which I actually really enjoy.


This is the first coat I’ve ever made and I’m thrilled with the results. I’m not a huge pink lover but this hot pink is such a happy color. If I have to put up with the cold I might as well do so in something that makes me smile.

Note: Both fabrics were purchased with my Mood Fabrics monthly allowance, as part of my participation in the Mood Sewing Network.

107 comments:

  1. Seriously. Your last shot should have been of you dropping a mic. This is stunning. Just STUNNING. I think Texas would be great for outerwear because you can have lighter-weight coats (so to speak). Seriously. Amazing.

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  2. I love that coat. Your alterations are perfect!

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  3. Your coat is wonderful and is beautifully constructed. I think it looks perfect on your small frame though it may not flatter the broad shouldered....

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    1. The shoulders are a little wide, so you might not have too much to alter if you wanted to make it. Not sure if it would be flattering or not though. Thanks Juliet!

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  4. I love everything about this coat! It's so chic yet looks completely wearable!

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  5. Gorgeous coat! The color is lovely on you. Thanks for the heads up on the collar height.

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    1. Yeah, that part is seriously tall. I think the designer intended it to scrunch down when being worn, but I just can't deal with extra fabric around my neck. Thanks Ann!

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  6. This suits you so perfectly, the shape, the colour... wonderful. And you are very precise in your sewing and it shows.
    You have every right to be thrilled, this make is beautiful and you look stunning in it!

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    1. Thank you Frifris! It's so satisfying to make something you absolutely love, right?

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  7. Its soooooo pretty! Inside and out! The color looks fantastic on you and it fits super!

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  8. This coat is absolutely gorgeous! I love that bright pink on you.

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    1. Thank you Lisa! I think I'll have to keep my eye out for more of this color. Who knew it would work so well?

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  9. You really did this coat justice: the colour is gorgeous and the finish fab as ever.

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  10. Beautiful coat in a beautiful fabric! Makes me want to dig out the half finished coat I have.

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    1. You should definitely finish up that coat, I'd love to see it! Thanks Jenny!

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  11. Amazing! The coat looks beautiful on you and your workmanship is flawless. This is truly couture.

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  12. Great job! I love the adjustments you made at the neckline.

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  13. I live everything about this. Great job!

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  14. What an amazing coat! How long did it take you to make it? I think it's one of the best coats I've seen recently. Well done! (Alex, sewrendipity.com)

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    1. Thanks Sewrendipity! I think maybe 2 weeks? Once I was done with the welts the outside went pretty quickly. The finishing, though, that took awhile. Those snaps! And I am a person who enjoys hand sewing.

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  15. Whoa, I totally ignored this pattern but wow! Amazing! Such a simple but unique style, and in that playful yet elegant fabric you've really nailed it.

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    1. I kept going back to it, trying to see through the busy fabric on the Vogue example. Those angled fronts are what sold me. Thank you Flowercatdesigns!

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  16. Lovely coat! The color and silhouette are both gorgeous on you.

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  17. I love it! I would wear that for sure. love the subtle plaid and the color is fab. Coats are so fun to make and like you I have little need for them, due to the weather. Not that I am complaining - warm is better. Gorgeous.

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    1. I would so much rather be hot then cold. In ten years I'll probably feel differently about it though. ;) It does get colder here then there, so I do need coats but probably not so many. Thanks Beth!

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  18. It looks great! I especially love the fit of the back. It looks perfect!

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    1. Thank you Tasha! This fabric is thick but seams to conform to the body easily too. There's no shaping in the back except at the side seams.

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  19. Love, love, love it! Showing these photos to our designer right now. Amazing as usual, Amanda!

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  20. Can I post this on our Facebook page, please? You can email me at blog@mccallpattern.com or reply here. Thanks! —Meg

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  21. This is such a beautiful coat and your construction is perfect.

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  22. Your pattern matching! Oh, I die! Fantastic work.

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  23. A stunner! Really lovely work, you'll wear this coat season after season!

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  24. I am totally in love with this!

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  25. What a gorgeous coat. Your workmanship is amazing.

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  26. Wow!!! This is gorgeous and your pattern matching is perfect. Beautiful work.

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  27. What a fabulous colour on you! And the coat is just perfect.

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    1. Thank you Vicki! I am on the hunt for more hot pink!

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  28. This is beautiful, I have serious coat envy!

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  29. This is absolute a gorgeous one. I am not a pink color lover too, but this looks so good on you! Beautiful. Is it ever cold there?
    Love, WIlma

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    1. Thank you Wilma! Yes, it does get cold here. Our winters are pretty mild but we are often in the 40s and sometimes in the 30s if we get a cold front. It hardly ever snows though. Last winter was the first time I remember it getting into the teens. I took a picture of the temperature reading in my van - 19 degrees. And when you are use to warmer temps, the 30s and 40s feel COLD.

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  30. Looks absolutely F A B U L O U S ! A shame I do not need any winter coats here in Australia , would just love to make and own the same coat.
    All the best Amanda!

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    1. Oh thanks Therese! As much as I love outerwear, I would much rather live in a place where a coat was never needed!

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  31. Could you be any cuter? Your coat is beautiful! The high collar would've kept me from making it but cutting was brilliant! You are amazing!

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    1. Lol, thanks Diane! If I love 75% of a design, I am usually willing to redraft the 25% I don't care for into something wearable.

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  32. woah, this cant be your first coat - its immaculately constructed!

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    1. Really, making a coat is not that much different then making a lined jacket, and I've made plenty of those. I've mostly been intimidated by the closings of a coat - like welt buttonholes or heavy duty zippers - to make one up. But this one had snaps which I've used before and wasn't weary of. Thanks for the compliment!

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  33. Stunning! I always enjoy your jackets. This is a great color on you too.

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  34. Wow this is a stunner, I bet both the pattern and fabric will be flying out of the stores now. I love this so much I pinned it to my coats inspiration Pinterest board where you are mingling with the likes of Gucci & dkny!

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  35. Like you I live in a climate where I don't have much need for coats, but if I did your coat would be first port of call for inspiration. Beautifully made as always.

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  36. Really beautifull,i like it very muuuch!

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  37. Exquisite. And you are lovely in pink. Certainly don't look like you just had a baby. This pattern is so pretty on you. Perfect for your height. Very nice work on the details and matching. Just beautiful work.

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  38. Loved your coat. Remember quite the 50 and 60 (which I love). Too bad that here in Brazil, there is no cold in order to use it. The color is wonderful and very combined with you. I could not help but comment on the seams ... Wonderful (as always).
    Sorry agreement any error (I use google translator).
    Kisses from Brazil.

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  39. WOW Amanda, so ELEGANTLY done as usual :)

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  40. I think this looks fantastic on you and is tailored really. I love the pink and I think it suits your skin tone and colouring. You should wear more of it.

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  41. I'm in love with this fabric, and admire your skills in coat making. Beautiful!!

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  42. Love the coat! Your skills are exceptional. I do have a question about your dress form. I notice it is Andy's. I need one, but their website is horrible. It is a tossup between Andy's or Uniquely You. How did you get yours?

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    1. I called and spoke to Andy directly. He is really nice but scatter brained. I sent him my measurements, then I had to keep calling and calling to get him to work on it. He finally mailed it to me - was like $65 in shipping fees - and it didn't have a rear end, just really wide hips. So then I got to mail it back to him and wait some more for him to finally mail it back. It's been awhile since I got it and I'm not remembering the details too clearly. However, it really does resemble my body well and is the most useful sewing tool that I have. Worth the wait and the personality quirks IMO.

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    2. Thanks, I live in CT so I could drive there, just have to call first! I have been on Mood Fabrics website and since they are in New York, might make a trip after tomorrow's blizzard. Keep up your beautiful sewing! m

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  43. ı love your color and coat. ı sewed similar this

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  44. The coat is gorgeous. You look fabulous in it. Inspiring. I'd like something more colourful and - lucky me - I was just gifted that pattern.

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  45. Fab colour and beautifully made, it hangs so well you must have got that lining spot on.

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    1. Thanks Sarah! The fabric I used for the lining is a bit beefier then ambiance and not nearly as slippery, staying on grain easily.

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  46. The coat is beautiful and fun in it's color!

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  47. Amazing job! Can't believe I missed this one. Stunning indeed.

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  48. This color, beautiful. Love your version of this coat.

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  49. This coat is STUNNER. I'm in love.

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