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The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Patterns Discussion => Topic started by: datcat23 on July 29, 2019, 13:11:48 PM

Title: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: datcat23 on July 29, 2019, 13:11:48 PM
Hey everyone, welcome to my inner thoughts.  Its messy, and indecisive. 

I have this beautiful fabric:  its been in the stash for ages, and I have quite forgotten what its made from.  Its a slightly fluffy texture on the outside, faintly check in the pattern, a mix of blues and pinks.  Very me.  But it may be a wool, or a synthetic copy ..... its snuggly and soft.  I know that much.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48403950292_78a3e17f3d.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gKhU47)2019-07-29_09-57-05 (https://flic.kr/p/2gKhU47) by Dani (https://www.flickr.com/photos/datcat/), on Flickr

And my choices:   ETA - apologies everyone, I should have said.  The three designs below are all Bootstrap Patterns.

comfy:  I like this one for the comfy, but not overhwelming collar, the knee length, and the slight emphasis on the waistline.
(https://patterns.bootstrapfashion.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/4/1/4192_main__84557.jpg)

elegant:  This one seems more "work friendly".  The dotted line I think is a hidden placket, I like the two part sleeves, and those beautiful darts. 
(https://patterns.bootstrapfashion.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/4/4/44789main.png)

flashy:  this has raglan sleeves, and I think would suit the softness of the fabric.  Not keen on the two piece collar (laziness mind, not lack of skill), and I have nowhere near that trim a waist, but the flare of the skirt is appealing.
(https://patterns.bootstrapfashion.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/4/4/44829main.png)

So lets hear some opinions.  To give you an idea, I work in a school office, and its likely this coat would most be worn over work clothes on the way to work.  I would love to know which design you think might suit me and the fabric. 
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on July 29, 2019, 13:14:29 PM
The first one with the lovely collar, and what lovely fabric that is!
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: fajita on July 29, 2019, 13:18:02 PM
Beautiful fabric, and I like the first pattern. The neck is very winter friendly.
Cosy looking.

The second pattern is also nice, but a bit more formal than wearing to and from the office.

The third pattern, an ok pattern. No feelings either way on it.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Ellabella on July 29, 2019, 13:20:35 PM
Number 2 for me.

The fabric is absolutely lovely and the simple lines of of the second coat will show it off to great advantage.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: WildAtlanticWay on July 29, 2019, 13:25:52 PM
Faaaaabulous fabric. I love the second pattern and the colours are exactly the sort of thing I’d wear too.  :)

May I ask what the second pattern is please?
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Ploshkin on July 29, 2019, 13:27:15 PM
I'm with Ellabella - she said exactly what I was thinking.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Flobear on July 29, 2019, 13:43:13 PM
If you don't know what the fabric content is, pull out a selection of threads and burn them with a match. At the most basic level wool will smell like hair burning, most man-made will make a plastic blob. You can find out more from your friend Mr Google if you want more precision.

I think 1 or 2 would suit the fabric you describe. Depends how cosy you like to feel - personally I like something 'enclosing' for a coat though would find that funnel neck type collar a bit uh-oh. Probably because they don't suit me!
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Surest1tch on July 29, 2019, 15:22:34 PM
No 1
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Elnnina on July 29, 2019, 15:40:00 PM
Dani just love the fabric - my colours too!!!!  Coat number two, but you would need something around the neck, may be fill in with a lovely scarf.  You mention the two part sleeves, oh that is a lovely sleeve and so comfortable to wear, and is relatively easy to create or to borrow that sleeve from another pattern that you have.

A few years ago there was the most beautiful knitting yarn from Elle called Sensual  - yes I am not joking, this was man made and the yarn had long silky  furry hairs, and you just knitted this in a plain knit stitch and the long fur just appeared both sides and you could stroke it is really was just delicious. two to three balls and a pair of needles - I cannot get at my knitting needles but I would say medium thick.  This scarf could be knitted up extremely quickly and looked luxurious. 
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: BrendaP on July 29, 2019, 16:14:24 PM
One or Two for me.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Fiona M on July 29, 2019, 16:49:13 PM
I like pattern No 1 best.  The collar is good for winter chills.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Lowena on July 29, 2019, 17:12:39 PM
No 1 for me
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Tamnymore on July 29, 2019, 17:51:49 PM
All nice but prefer 2 then 1.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Ros on July 29, 2019, 18:24:09 PM
2 for me but agree with Fran that it really depends on your body type. I think Im 20 years from my last belted coat/mistake. If you want swing how about a non-waisted type? I've got a How to do Fashion coat (No 4?) on my to do pile for that shape.  If you can try similar shapes on in a shop might help narrow it down
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Kate S on July 29, 2019, 18:56:16 PM
I like the first one best, but that's probably because it would suit my body type the best.

If you want to find out if the fabric is wool, put a small piece of it in chlorine bleach.  Any wool will dissolve fairly quickly.  It would also dissolve hair fibers.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Efemera on July 29, 2019, 19:10:39 PM
If it’s soft and snuggly maybe something less structured... more of a lined coatigan.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Nevis5 on July 29, 2019, 21:10:56 PM
No 2 is my favourite because it would suit me :)  I'm not keen on funnel necks as my own neck is very short and I look like Shrek in them.  I like the third view but don't need the fullness of the skirt on me.  But I do love the fabric; it's gorgeous, lovely colours and it looks so soft.

Hmm, I guess I've been no help at all  :S  sorry, Dani xx
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: HenriettaMaria on July 29, 2019, 21:23:57 PM
1 will be warm in the winter wind.  2 will be elegant but you'll want to block the gaping draught with a scarf, which may spoil the effect.  3 to me is a bit run of the mill rather than flashy.  I'd do 1 for comfort in the winter and 2 in a slightly lighter wool for spring/autumn formal wear.  I could see it in a gorgeous mauve/lilac wool for a spring wedding - mmmmm!
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Morgan on July 29, 2019, 22:35:17 PM
For your bodyshape - no 2. because there is no waist seam to cut the body in half and no belt.  Set in sleeve which will work better with your shoulder shape.  However, you'd need to take a view on whether you kept the cutaway front hemline. 
or No.3 with the funnel neck again because of the set in sleeve which works well with your shoulder shape.  Although there is a waistline, it looks like an illusion waist line which elongates the body. The princess line bodice is a really good choice because it gives more fitting options and it's definitely the most straight forward for the FBA for a larger cup size.  It's good to have the pockets and. 
The collar can be as deep or shallow as you wish or could be left off altogether. 

For your bodyshape, and shoulder shaping, the raglan sleeves, belted waist and deep V neck with wide lapels may not be the most flattering.  If you particularly like this style, how about trying on a couple in the shops (or op shops) to see whether the style looks good on you.

Re the fabric, if it's soft and floppy then it's well worth block fusing with a good quality lightweight interfacing (especially if you are going to make the coat using dressmaking techniques rather than either of the main tailoring approaches).  If you don't interface the fabric then within a short time it will distort, bag out and generally not hold the shape. 
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: datcat23 on July 29, 2019, 22:36:29 PM
Faaaaabulous fabric. I love the second pattern and the colours are exactly the sort of thing I’d wear too.  :)

May I ask what the second pattern is please?

Apologies everyone ...... @WildAtlanticWay .... all three patterns are from Bootstrap Fashions.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Missie on July 31, 2019, 11:10:15 AM
Fabulous Fabric.  Pattern no 1 gets my vote.  Its high-necked (cannot bear a wind down my neck); its modern in style and can be dressy or not depending on the fabric and what else you wear it with.

The other 2 are a bit meh, but that maybe down to my styling and they are not something I would go for!
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Esme866 on August 05, 2019, 19:04:17 PM
Definitely #2 ! Gorgeous pattern and less cumbersome for in and out of the car.

No waistline is great. #1 would require a lengthy neck (which I don't have) to be comfortable.

Love the fabric. Reminds me of some silk blends I've seen.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: mums sewing machine on October 04, 2019, 14:50:20 PM
One for me and that fabric is gorgeous x
What did you decide in the end @datcat23 ? x
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: datcat23 on October 04, 2019, 22:47:42 PM
One for me and that fabric is gorgeous x
What did you decide in the end @datcat23 ? x

I bought the pattern for number 1, and then summer started, and I put the fabric back in the cupboard for next year.  We have gone straight to 30 degree days, so definitely won't need a warm coat until next year. 
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Catllar on October 05, 2019, 10:59:56 AM
I love number 2 but it doesn't have any overwrap due to the sexy hem shaping. Lovely fabric. No 1 is second choice for me.
Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: Iminei on October 06, 2019, 05:15:52 AM
If I may. knowing nothing at all about this, but ...

Unless you have the neck of a graceful swan ... No to No:1

No: 3 will make you look like a slightly mad version of Columbo

But Yes, Yes Yes to No: 2

Just the opinion of an average Joe with no knowledge of garment making at all ....

( Exuent stage left pursued by Lightsiders )



Title: Re: Coat - comfy or elegant? or flashy?
Post by: SewRuthieSews on October 06, 2019, 09:03:37 AM
Hi Dani
I've made a few simple coats and jackets now out of a variety of fabrics.
Very soft fabrics are snuggly but don't sew well into complex details. If the weave is loose it makes it particularly tricky.
I can't really tell from your picture how loose the weave is. This is particularly tricky for collar/revers but also for

The tall collar of number 1 is unlikely to look like that in a soft fabric unless you interface it aggressively and then it won't be soft anymore. I agree with Iminei that to wear it like that needs a long neck.
I'm not familiar with your figure but the coat styles you have picked seem to be for different bodyshapes.

So I suppose if I was making a coat from this fabric I'd have 2 main questions
- what techniques will work best with this fabric
- what styles will flatter my bodyshape