Simplicity 4403 - Fur-Trimmed Red Wool Coat!
12:00 AM
Happy New Year! Last year, I realized that I had scaled down my sewing a great deal. It wasn't really intentional, it was that I only sewed the things that I was really into. As I was going over the last decade, I remember the years that I felt like I had to be running to Jo-Ann's and Hancock Fabrics to grab every single new pattern that was released on the first day of the sale and then be the first person to sew up the newest Vogues. Y'all, that shit got old and I got bored with the releases. I haven't been feeling a lot the new patterns in the last few years, and I've been reaching into my stash for oldies but goodies that I never got around to sewing.
Which leads me to this: I finally got the red coat that my closet needed. I've been wanting one for years and I wanted it to be a classic silhouette with great details. I didn't want anything trendy, I wanted something that would age well.
I reached way back into my stash and pulled out Simplicity 4403. It's been out-of-print for years.
It's a Threads pattern, which means it has great details and instructions, even if you've never made a coat before. This one is worth scouring Etsy and Ebay to find.
I'll just list all of the supplies I used for this coat:
- Primary Red Blended Wool Coating (It's sold out, but they have beautiful coatings)
- Fur (From Jo-Ann's)
When sewing with wool, you always have to preshrink it. I used the dryer method. I put the entire piece of uncut fabric in the dryer with a wet towel and set it to high. This is the best way to steam shrink wool at home. But you have to use common sense. Use a well-used towel that won't produce a lot of lint in a similar color to your fabric. Because if you put a new-ish white towel in with black wool??? You'll be pissed. You've been warned. Or, skip all of this and take it to the dry cleaner.
I cut the size 14 and graded out to a 18. I wanted to make sure it wasn't pulling across the hips. I made a 1" FBA, made 1" swayback adjustment, 1.5" full seat adjustment (because if not, the coat would hike up on the back hem) and I added 2" to the overall length.
I added a back stay with my hair canvas and made custom shoulder pads and sleeve heads using polyester batting.
I modified the under collar by creating a center back seam and cutting both pieces on the bias. And I just hand stitched the under collar to the fur upper collar.
I love that this pattern instructs you to make bound buttonholes.
With the thickness of my fabric, that would've been my obvious choice.
For the lining, I simply bagged and added hanging chain and decorative piping.
I hadn't made a coat in 3 years and I really enjoyed the process, even if it took me 2 weeks to get this cut out and completely sewn. It was so worth it because I love it so much!
.JPG)
40 comments
What a gorgeous coat! Love the white lining, the piping the buttonholes! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you Camelia!
DeleteSimply stunning!!! I have this pattern in my stash and made a quick unlined Sherpa wrap coat last year, this is motivation to complete one of the more complicated views. Your lining, piping, the fur... oh my goodness, so beautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you Shannon!
DeleteSuch an amazing amount of workmanship and great details. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Faith!
DeleteBeautiful coat! Thanks for showing the inside details.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda!
DeleteIt's a gorgeous coat showcasing your tailoring talent!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Carolyn!!
DeleteToo sharp! I love everything you make. My compliments.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and beautiful coat. Even though you haven't sewn as much, I hope you publish a 2019 recap. I love to see everything you made in one post, and read which ones you loved and which ones didn't live up to your expectations.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Julie!
DeleteI really love it, and can't believe it only took you two weeks! All the details are beautiful, and it will age well over the years especially.
ReplyDeleteI plan to still be wearing this 20 years from now! Thanks Vanessa!
DeleteSuch a great coat!! It’s beautiful inside and out!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nefertiti!
DeleteBeautiful! I love these older patterns that have more design detail in them like the bound button holes. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI love them too and the drafting and instructions are so good! Thanks Gretchen!
DeleteWhat a beautiful coat Erica, you out on yourself. The styling is timeless. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle!
DeleteThis coat is fire Erica🔥🔥🔥🔥!
ReplyDeleteThank you Candice!
DeleteStunning! Love the piping and linings!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteOh my God, I knew this pattern was familiar. I got it because it was close to a coat I saw Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in. I love what you did with it and because you are the Queen of Coats, your guidance on construction will be invaluable. Happy New Year, Erica!
ReplyDeleteI had to google. That coat was fabulous! Thank you Donne’!
DeleteIt is a beautiful creation and it looks super on you! You should be very proud!
ReplyDeleteThank you Leann!
DeleteBeautiful and very classic!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vicki!
DeleteBeautiful coat and the fur collar is a great addition. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter! Happy New Year!
DeleteThe details...you nailed it!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy!
DeleteLooooooove!
ReplyDeleteThe custom shoulder pads 💪, and the overall quality of the coat! Well you know......🔥
ReplyDeleteGorgeous coat!
ReplyDeleteI love this coat...it's beautiful. Two weeks to complete this coat was great. This coat would cost a fortune in the store. As always I love your blog posts....you always provide so much information.
ReplyDeleteYour work is always impeccable and red looks stunning on you!
ReplyDelete