McCall's 6246 (Modified) | The Cropped Trench!
10:00 AM
So, I was peacefully going about my life... just doing regular internet stuff. You know how those ads follow you around from one webpage to the next? Well, I had been looking at something on Farfetch.com, and along with that item they showed me this marvelous cropped trench!
Ralph Lauren Cropped Trench Coat, $2441.31 - Farfetch.com
Cute, right? I was literally giving no damns about a cropped trench jacket. And out of the blue, I saw this one too:
Michael Kors Collection, $1215 - Stylebop.com
Now, what is the likelihood that I would see TWO similar items that I wasn't even thinking about in the same day? Internet web searching algorithms obviously. But for the sake of fun, I'm going to call it sewing kismet!
So, I had to make one. And why not, it's spring and I am currently wardrobe filling. And I'm sort of having a "spring jacket moment" currently. I had a gap in my wardrobe and didn't have any lightweight jackets. I've never been a cardigan type of girl. I use to simple rely on my denim jacket or my leather bomber, but I wanted different options. I knew that I had a cropped trench jacket pattern in my collection. And my search lead me to out-of-print McCall's 6246 from 2010. But it was going to need slight adjustments to achieve something like I wanted.
I'd had this tan outerwear fabric in my stash for some years. It's some kind of waxed cotton that is supposedly waterproof. I remembered that's why I bought it from Hancock Fabrics years ago. I only had 2 yards, I think that was all that was left on the bolt, so I had to be very selective as to how I was going to use it. I cut the size 14 of view A. I first changed out the sleeves. I'm not a fan of one-piece sleeves in jackets. And I didn't want a jacket with puffy shoulders either. So I replaced it with traditional tailored two-piece sleeves.
I added epaulets. That's one of the details that I feel, make a trench a "trench".
I also added a buttonhole and button to the front yoke.
And I also added an extra large hook and eye like ready-to-wear trench coats have.
My fabric is so lightweight weight that I had to add extra interfacing. I interface the entire front and both the under and upper collar pieces.
I used the back yoke piece to create a back stay for the jacket.
My lining is a cute beige and white polka dot I found at Joanns.
The main thing about making a trench coat is finding enough of the same buttons. I lucked up and found all of mine in a single shopping trip. They're 7/8" tortoise buttons and I used 9 in the making of this jacket. The only detail that I wished I had included were sleeve tabs. But I literally used every possible of inch of my 2 yards of fabric. I plan to make a full-length trench for fall and I'm going to use every possible trench detail in it.
Styling tip: Since my trench jacket is classic tan, I decided to add color: I wore one of my favorite red striped shirts, which is New Look 6735. My Birkin Flares, blue bandana knecktie and red open-toe pumps.
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36 comments
This is a great spring jacket. Love all of the trench details that you incorporated! What a wonderful use of 2 yards of fabric!
ReplyDeleteI made that fabric stretch with everything in me! Thanks Carolyn!
DeleteThis is so beautiful!! Your sewing is amazing and I hope to continue to grow and get my own skills to your level of awesomeness!!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brittany!
DeleteThis screams spring! So well done!
ReplyDeleteWe actually had a need for spring coats and transitional wardrobes this year! Thanks Kisha!
DeleteBeautiful details on this jacket.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cennetta!
DeleteErica...this trench is absolutely beautiful..could you provide the finish sizing on your epaulets?? I found the pattern on Amazon and want to sew one for myself..Please and thank you:)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! The finished size is 6"x1.5". Thanks Lora!
DeleteWow, I love that. So wearable... all the best of a trench and a blazer in one. And you did a lovely job.
ReplyDeleteThanks dalachin!
DeleteYou never cease to amaze me! Will try and make a cropped trench coat for winter as we have quite mild winters in my part of the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy!
DeleteInnovative in that I never would have thought of a cropped trench jacket. Love the entire outfit and that Tee brings back memories - I made it years ago. I'm going to dig out my tee shirt pattern RIGHT NOW!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a great pattern! Thanks Faye;
DeleteI'm really loving that cropped trench look on you, and the blue and red really make the ensemble pop!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteI love this cropped trench-great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda!
DeleteWhat a great idea I would've never thought of it but I love!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ines!
DeleteLove it! I never would have thought of a cropped trench but it's adorable and it looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tomasa!
DeleteBeautiful, I love the details you added and it looks great on you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Geannene!
DeleteFirst a Balmain denim jacket and now this! How do you always have the perfect OOP pattern in your stash? You should post a list of the patterns you buy each season so we can stash them too.
ReplyDeleteHa! It comes from years of collecting!
DeleteWhen I first read the title I wasn't expecting it to be so cute. I guess when I think of trench coats, I think of something a little less fitted & more boxy, but you have completely nailed the fit on this. It's just loose enough to be a trench but fitted enough to make the perfect cropped jacket. Extremely well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nadine!
DeleteThank you for sharing all of the good construction tips and discussion of elements in a real trench coat. Such a good wardrobe piece!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle!
DeleteWow, that looks great and rivals anything rtw!
ReplyDeleteThanks Norie!
DeleteGreat work; this is an amazing piece! Now...you have inspired me to make one for myself!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheralyn!
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