Welcome to my stop on the Sew Long Summer Blogtour hosted by Melissa of mahlicadesigns, it couldn't have come at a better time for us here in the UK as we've definitely seen a change in the seasons in the past week or two!
As we say SewLong to Summer, my thoughts are turned to Autumnal sews and keeping the cold, wind and rain at bay whilst being able to remove layers on those days where the weather can't make it's mind up! (Yesterday we had everything from 23°C bright sunshine to 11°C with thunderstorms and gale force winds!) Whilst I've been keeping up to date sewing cardigans, sweaters and hoodies throughout the Summer, I now need to think about heavier, warmer and drier functionality garments so where better to start sewing for Autumn than a coat!?
Having browsed through all of my favourite pattern designers websites looking for patterns and whilst I came across several I liked none were quite right until......I found Jalie 2680 Stretch City Coat for Softshell, PERFECT! Lightweight, warm, wind and water resistant, exactly the Coat layer I need for the transition to Autumn.
Softshell is a fairly new fabric in the UK although it is very quickly gaining popularity and fabric companies are striving to find a great variety of patterns and solids. It's water and wind resistant and has a fleece backing built in so no need to line it until you want to! This beautiful grey with silver foil swallows is from Splashings of Fabric and has a black fleece backing although they stock several other designs too. {I will be uploading another post very soon with more info on softshell, how to sew it and places to look for it in the UK, follow me oninstagram or subscribe to my newsletter}
The Stretch City coat has an option of a hood or a collar and is exceptional value as the single pattern includes ALL sizes from Age 2 child to Ladies US22 (Approx a UK26!) so you literally could make from this pattern for years to come as well as making Mummy & Me style matching coats very easily!
The pattern is also available in both PDF and Paper versions so whichever format you prefer, they've got you covered! (International shipping is available, was CA$9 for 1 pattern to the UK on blog publish date) I opted for the PDF version as I'm more than comfortable with them and wanted to get started straight away! I won't lie, 42 pages to print seemed a bit daunting but with my {fast} laser printer, ruler, old rotary cutter, tape dispenser and Jalie's easy lining up markings, I had it all assembled and cut out within half an hour.
As well as being lots of pages to print, there are also lots of pattern pieces, 16 in total, although you won't need them all as that includes both the hood and collar pieces so only 14 needed for each style, omit the in seam pockets and you loose the need for that piece too but I couldn't ever do that.....I need pockets in everything!!
The pockets were actually surprisingly easy to sew, much easier than I was expecting anyway. Because they are in the princess seaming they came together really quickly {they did make me regret bias binding the seams though!} I was also pleasantly surprised at the pockets staying put due to being caught by the button and buttonholes, I had an awful feeling they would 'droop' down and frustrate me but I should have known better from Jalie, their patterns are always finished so well.
I will also admit I made it even more complicated than the pattern asks for as I chose to bias bind all my seams. This is absolutely NOT required as the seam allowances are topstitched down and very soft anyway, I think I just like to make things extra complicated?! Reinforcing the seams with the binding should help the coat last longer though and because I used a satin style binding, should also make it a little easier to slide on and off over other clothes.
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My favourite tools and secrets to even topstitching on this coat were definitely my blind hem feet! I used both versions of it depending which side my excess fabric needed to be but they really were necessary for the even distance from the edges and seams. If you don't have one {most machines come with one in the start up kit!}, you can pick them up for just a few pounds, I certainly wouldn't attempt this pattern without one although you can if you wish to.
Alongside the blind hem feet, my automatic buttonhole and button sewing feet {remember to drop your feed dogs...ooops!} also came in very useful.
I really love my new coat and I've already tested it out in the rain {in fact all of these modelled photos were taken in the rain...dedication ey?!} it has enough ease to fit over 3 layers, a cami, tee and sweatshirt and I will definitely be making another in the hooded version as soon as my new floral softshell comes through from Lulus Fabrics.
I hope you've enjoyed my stop and maybe I've helped inspire you to start sewing for Autumn too? Please let me know if you make this coat too, I'd love to see your versions! For lots more inspiration, please do go and check out all the other talented blogger seamstresses joining in this tour!
Our awesome bloggers (links to homepage not to SLS posts)
Sept. 11th Sewing by Ti, Sewing Vortex, Sewing A La Carte, Very Blissful Sept. 12th mahlicadesigns, My Heart Will So On, Couturious, Anne-Mari Sews, Adventures With Bubba and Bug Sept. 13th Tenilles Thread, Sewing with D, mahlicadesigns Sept. 14th Indulging Mom, MeMade, Sewing with D Sept. 15th Little Heart Threads, Idlesunshine, Ronda B. Handmade, Tales of a Tester, Sewing à la Carte, Tales From A Southern Mom, Sew Haute Blog
THANK YOU to my post sponsors, Jalie for kindly providing the pattern and Splashings of Fabric for discounting the beautiful fabric!
Please do go and check out all their lovely products!
19 Comments
Diane
9/14/2017 12:43:17 pm
Very well done and so practical! You will get a lot of wear from your coat! I like your fabric choice too.
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Sarah - MeMade
9/14/2017 01:56:58 pm
Thank you so much! I love everything about it!
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Karen
9/14/2017 12:43:50 pm
What a beautiful coat! I have purchased the pattern but not started it.
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Sarah - MeMade
9/14/2017 02:01:36 pm
It seems to be a design feature which could easily be changed out to omit it, I can't see any reason it might be functionality as it doesn't change the curve or shape of the sleeve in any way and isn't used to line the cuff instead of hemming or anything! Let me know if you get stuck with the blind hem feet, I've found them such a useful tool for these.
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Karen
9/14/2017 02:22:14 pm
Thank you!
Sarah - MeMade
9/14/2017 02:24:04 pm
Thank you. Me neither! I probably won't next time unless I have a lot of spare time, but I do like the finish of the bound seams.
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Sarah - MeMade
9/15/2017 04:23:22 am
Thanks so much! I loved the fabric as soon as I saw a photo of it, loved it even more when it arrived!
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9/15/2017 02:24:42 am
This is awesome! We typically don't need coats here until January, but this is so inspiring! I love your fabric choice. :-)
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Sarah - MeMade
9/15/2017 04:24:08 am
Thanks and Wow! I want to live where you do ;)
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9/15/2017 08:37:56 am
WOW! This is gorgeous! You did a wonderful job with it. I love the fabric and the pattern.
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9/16/2017 07:36:09 am
Wow you are so amazingly talented! I can hardly believe you made that! I love your fabric choice and lining!
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9/16/2017 08:09:25 am
Oh my what a lovely job you did on this coat. You really made it special with your attention to the details.
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10/21/2017 06:42:10 am
Wow This coat is fabulous! You have made a fantastic job of it - I haven't made anything for myself as yet, just for my grandchildren and my Etsy page a little, but this may well inspire me! Will follow you with interest.
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11/9/2017 04:30:29 am
Thank you for a great explanation. I was looking online for a similar idea and really appreciate it
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Elizabeth R. Herbert
11/20/2017 02:40:32 am
I really love your outfit I am gonna get them for sure,its nice, attractive and creative designs.I really love your art I am gonna get them for sure,its nice, attractive and creative outfit.
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emma watson
12/14/2017 12:36:50 am
Outstanding article, thank you so much for sharing this article. <a href=https://www.embmall.com/category/applique-designs/> Applique Embroidery Designs </a>
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Ann Mellon
9/15/2020 12:03:07 pm
HI there - I'm making the Jalie but having trouble with buttonholes. How did you find them? My automatic buttonhole foot does the first side OK but then doesn't seem to be able to do the long bit at the side. When I do a sample its OK but maybe the coat is too heavy to move with the automatic buttonhole foot.
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AuthorHi! I'm Sarah and I live with my 2 boys and my Husband in East Anglia, UK. I enjoy sewing for my family and it is my aim to have a completely MeMade wardrobe for us all! Archives
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