Fabric:
The fabric is amazing. It's made out of two layers of cotton twill bonded together, one plain colour, the other patterned in a nice tan/black/white/burgundy stripe. Both sides are waterproof and shed water beautifully. [Edit: when I started to wear the coat I discovered the double thickness and waterproofing make the coat very windproof as well, and consequently surprisingly warm.]
I bought three lengths, in tan, red, and blue, all from Michael's, plus a length of matching lining from Denver Fabrics. I still have the receipt for the latter, dated June 2008!
I bought three lengths, in tan, red, and blue, all from Michael's, plus a length of matching lining from Denver Fabrics. I still have the receipt for the latter, dated June 2008!
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| Tan coating on the right (4.8 m) with matching rayon lining (2.4 m) on the left. |
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| Sky blue (1.6 m) and fire engine red (3.0 m) |
I'm not quite sure why I got these lengths. It was in the early days of my sewing, and I was building up a stash, maybe? Or, probably more likely, I had had no idea whatsoever what lengths were needed for say, a coat (the tan), or a jacket (the red)? I think the blue was destined for my baby boy, but ahem, he's much bigger than I now, way too big now for such a miserly length to be useful for him. But, blue combined with the tan could make a colour-blocked jacket perhaps.
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| I love how water beads on this fabric - clearly it's been waterproofed! |
Patterns:
I have two - the Simplicity 4084 (Threads) and McCall's M5525. I know there are others - Jalie, Marfy, and Burda, and may find them eventually for info purposes, but I plan on using a combo of the two I have.
Alterations:
I like the M5525 upper back yoke and front gunflap, and the rain tab on the collar stand. I prefer 4084's two piece sleeve, the direction of the side front pocket welts, and the buckle on the belt. In addition, instead of what these patterns provide, I plan to make fold-over epaulettes (skinny underside), buckled rather than buttoned sleeve tabs, hanging tabs on the belt, and four instead of two belt holders.
The under collar will be bias-cut and show the wrong side. Buttons and buckles will be classic horn style. Top stitching? perhaps burgundy, to match the thin stripe of the underside and lining.
I know some of you out there have used this cloth - I'd love to post links to those successful projects, so if you know where they are, please post in the comments section - thanks! I'd also love to hear your comments and advice - this is a big project and your help will definitely go a long way to giving it justice!
I've got this fabric in black and the lining, too. Both were purchased in 2008 from G Street. I've also got a Burberry wool perfect for a zip-out lining. I found that in Philadelphia about 18 months ago. All of it mocks me from my stash.
ReplyDeleteI want to make a Burda trench and even started testing out one of their patterns about a year ago but put it aside when I felt overwhelmed with the number of decisions I needed to make, like length, style of sleeve tabs, etc. How fortunate for you that you already know what you want!
Here is a link to a discussion about that fabric at Stitcher's Guild.
http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/topic,4623.0.html
I didn't read through all five pages again today, but I do have a recollection that someone noted the fabric is somewhat difficult to ease and that raglan sleeves might be a better choice. I haven't tested this out myself.
I look forward to following your progress. Maybe I will even work up the nerve to give it another go.