It was the winter of 2019. I had been living in Germany for 8 years and I had never quite gotten used to be constantly cold. Back in California I could get away with wearing a denim jacket over a dress, but not here. In Germany my winter wardrobe was a black pair of jeans with a black turtleneck sweater, worn with black boots and topped off with a burgundy headband to try and add color whilst keeping my ears warm. I had learned to loath the months from December to March because of this.
This year, however, I decided to make a change. I was not going to subject myself to another winter of feeling and looking like a Dementor. So, I devised a plan…
The plan was simple: find the brightest color wool and make a long coat. With such a coat I would be able to brighten up any winter outfit and restore joy back into my winter wardrobe.
I found the perfect wool at Stonemountain and Daughter Fabrics. It was hot pink, and if you can believe it, it was marked down to $11.00 a yard. Yes, you read that right, and I bought it all!
I used Mimi G Style for Simplicity 8749. I had made the blazer version of this pattern before, which had turned out a bit too big at the shoulders (not an uncommon problem for me), so I made some adjustments this time around. I cut out a size 14 on the top and tapered out to a size 16 at the hips, which turned out to be perfect. I also raised the hem 7“ and eliminated the back vent. In retrospect I wish I hadn’t gotten rid of the vent, but c’est la vie!
I made my mind up to pull out all the stops for this coat. I was going to: make welt pockets AND a bound buttonhole, because I knew my home sewing machine’s buttonhole was not going to be able do this coat justice. I used Thread Magazine’s Youtube tutorial to help me, and for it being my first time ever sewing a bound buttonhole I think it came out pretty well!
I used a silk charmeuse for the lining. It was not fun to sew, but man, is it LUXURIOUS!
The whole coat is luxurious from top to bottom. Therefore, it makes me feel luxurious even on the greyest of days, which makes this project a complete success.
3 things I’ve learned from wearing a hot pink, full length coat:
I feel and radiate joy
It makes other people smile (either because seeing this much hot pink makes them smile or because they think I’m crazy. I think it’s the former)
It make’s even the dullest of outfits FASHION
3 tips for making a coat:
Be mindful of the weight and drape of your fabric in accordance to the style of coat
Make a muslin of the outer shell and make the adjustments
Go slow. Take all the time you need
