I made this as a pirate coat for my husband and was really pleased with it. He’s a 44/46 so I made the XL. It was plenty big (too big, if anything).
I did not alter the pattern per se but, I made a bag lining for the body of the coat using the coat pattern pieces. i cut the cuffs, pocket flaps and front facings out of contrasting wool. I put the facings on the outside of the coat as revers. The directions and placement of the braid and buttons were fine but, I wanted more. I added more but, it’s a bit crooked and needs to be fixed. I also cut one of the three godets not on the fold but, as two pieces in order to have a back vent. I made covered buttons in black silk.
I used a heavy wool. The coat skirt hangs nicely and moves beautifully when you turn. I haven’t tried the waistcoat pattern yet but, it looks good.
You really do need all the yardage specified (6-5/8 yards for XL) so that the skirt is cut on the proper grain. It took me about 30 hours tomake this coat including the hand sewing and button making (and putting the left cuff on upside down …. twice). My wool was a fairly tight weave but, I let the coat hang a couple of days with the lining attached before hemming.
Anna Newman –
I made this as a pirate coat for my husband and was really pleased with it. He’s a 44/46 so I made the XL. It was plenty big (too big, if anything).
I did not alter the pattern per se but, I made a bag lining for the body of the coat using the coat pattern pieces. i cut the cuffs, pocket flaps and front facings out of contrasting wool. I put the facings on the outside of the coat as revers. The directions and placement of the braid and buttons were fine but, I wanted more. I added more but, it’s a bit crooked and needs to be fixed. I also cut one of the three godets not on the fold but, as two pieces in order to have a back vent. I made covered buttons in black silk.
I used a heavy wool. The coat skirt hangs nicely and moves beautifully when you turn. I haven’t tried the waistcoat pattern yet but, it looks good.
You really do need all the yardage specified (6-5/8 yards for XL) so that the skirt is cut on the proper grain. It took me about 30 hours tomake this coat including the hand sewing and button making (and putting the left cuff on upside down …. twice). My wool was a fairly tight weave but, I let the coat hang a couple of days with the lining attached before hemming.