Warm winter coats, let's start sewing!

Nice, thick, warm winter coats ... All of a sudden we need them anyway. Yess! It seems a bit too late in the season to start sewing a coat.... But it is possible. Sewing a DIY-winter coat  seems like a lot of work but  that is not true! We will help you to make a good choice in terms of sewing pattern. Let's start sewing!

Warm winter coats, so many choices
A 'warm winter coat' is a wide concept. You have those outdoor jackets to surivive an Alaska-trail and you have those beautiful wool coats for rare formal occasions. We limit ourselves in this blog to the so-called long coats. Meaning: long, warm coats but not those outdoor jackets for the extreme cold or sports activities.

Nice 'EASY' or a real challenge
You can make a coat as easy or as difficult as you want. The sewing patterns often indicate the desired sewing level, but you can see a lot yourself by taking a close look at the model and the details. Example: making patch pockets is not difficult. Making a 'Welt-pocket' requires a lot of experience. These are pockets sewed-in the jacket with a nice frame around it.

The choice of fabrics is also an important part. A uni-colored wool fabric is very difficult to work with, especially if you need top-stitching. If you choose a wool with an unregular design or color pattern, it won't be seen if you've made a mistake and a seam doesn't fit perfectly. Of course, this does not apply to designs in the fabric with horizontal or vertical stripes.

Wool mixes, flurry, fur and locking fabrics are a good choice if you want to quickly make a long warm coat which is not too difficult to get a quick nive result.

Fabric-love at first sight
Maybe you already have the fabric at home or it is on top of your wish list. If the fabric is your starting point, take a good look at the sewing patterns to learn which 'fabrics' you can use for the sewing pattern. You can read this on the back of the envelope. Pictures of the back of the envelope often appear on the Internet. The photos are often not very good but you can zoom in and look for the advice regarding the fabrics.

If you cannot find this, please take a look at reviews on our website or on other websites. Do you want to make a coat from heavy or medium weight wool? Pay attention if it is suitable for the coat. Or do you want to make the coat from beautiful Bouclé fabric or tweed fabric, take a good look at the recommanded fabrics too. Some sewing patterns are made for these fabrics, but others would be better of with fabrics like fur, flurry or thick quilted fabric.

Lining or un-lined?
A lined or un-lined coat is a big deal if you want to make a coat on short terms. If you want to make the coat in one or two days and do not like to make a lining in it, choose an 'unlined' jacket or coat. There are quite a few sewing patterns out there for jackets without lining. Often these are the coats of felt, duo fabrics and thick fabrics such as fur or flurry.

If you opt for a jacket without lining, finish the jacket neatly on the inside with a lock machine or with a beautiful stitch. And also be aware that the jacket can itch ... especially if you make the jacket from Bouclé fabric or tweeds.

Cuddle coat or chic coat
Do you want a jacket which feels like cuddling yourself or do you prefer a chic, formal jacket? There is quite a difference. Cuddle-jackets and coats are often oversized and can be worn over any wardrobe. Chic, tight coats fit nicely and you can't wear a thick outfit underneath. Even a jacket or blazer often does not work. Cuddle coats and  big-oversized coats are very trendy.

Shawl collar, stand-up collar or classic collar?
Do you like scarves or do you often wear shirts with collars? Choose a coat with a classic collar. These will give enough space to wear a scarf underneath or to look chic and formal. But if you prefer a shawl collar, you don't need that extra scarf at all.
Coats with upstanding collars seem nice and warm, but you will often fight with your collar to hide your clothes underneath.

Fortunately, many sewing patterns often offer multiple options in terms of collars. The basis of the jacket is often the same as the details: collar, sleeve endings, with or without belt, and other variations. This is ideal if you are not quite sure yet about the details of the coat.

Capes are great
Some coats flow into a cape or are actually completely capes. Ideal to wear over a lot of clothing, but they are often not really warm because they are very wide. Still, capes are fun to make and handy to have. Choose one with arm openings, otherwise you will mess around with the cape when you need your hands. And think about the length for a moment. Wearing a very long cape, you will look like someone on their way to a carnival party or cosplay event.
A shorter cape or half-length cape are much more fashionable.

YOUR right size
Also make sure that you buy a sewing pattern for your size. It doesn't seem important to choose the right size for coats. You will probably think: well a wider coat is also fine. But that is not the case, if you choose a smaller or larger size because your size is not available, it can quickly go wrong with the shape of the coat. Suddenly the shoulders are way too big or the front parts are not fitting. Choosing a smaller size and making wider hems is also not a wise idea. The proportions are suddenly no longer right and you are surprised if the sleeves do not fit in the sleeve openings at all, for example.

Always buy the right size. Is it not available? Better to look for an other kind of sewing pattern ...

Summarized:
Sewing a nice, thick, warm winter coat doesn't have to take a lot of time as long as you choose the right sewing pattern, the right fabric and the right size.

There are plenty of choices of great sewing patterns. Making a long coat is often easier than you think. Just do it and you will enjoy the winter season in your own DIY winter coat!