Friday, October 21, 2016

Louisa Coat release



A winter coat might be the daunting sew for some (especially beginners), it is one of the most fulfilling sews. Your kid will be wearing their winter coat everyday for a few months and if you are lucky, for two years. It will be not be covered by other clothes, but will be in plain view for you to enjoy everyday. When Marte from Compagnie M*. wrote that she was planning a coat pattern, I therefore was more than happy to test it. My little one really needed one. As the smallest of four and third girl, she often wears hand me downs, but this year she got her own hand made coat.



The Louisa coat*, the newest Compagnie M. baby clearly resembles her sister, the Louisa dress*. Although, they are clearly from the same mother, the Louisa coat has a different character and also tries to look like her other sister Susanne* (the back of the coat looks like the front of the Susanne). As all the members of their family, there are several options to personalize. I chose for the hood and all piping options, but you can also make a simpler version or use a collar.



I bought a coupon wool felt a few weeks ago and it was the perfect amount for this little coat. The first tester versions used a thick piping and I felt my usual tester-envy. Especially because my main fabric is simple, I went for an over the top piping. I used a scrap from when I sewed this dress. I used some yarn to make a super thick version, it is unconventional and I love the effect.ou can choose for zipper or buttons. I did both, the main closure is the zipper, but to keep the flap closed, I added snaps.



I made a true winter version, so I sewed an extra layer of the fleece that I put between the main and lining. It worked great and the coat is very soft and warm, only the hood has become a bit too heavy. I ran out of flexible fleece, and could not line the sides of the hood, so I used another slightly heavier lining, that was not the smartest idea. The hood's front seam became very thick and I had to stop stitch it, to keep the fabrics in place. There was no way that I could top stitch the middle part though. Due to the thick piping, my machine would never manage,so that became a thing that I will have to do in front of the tv by hand. I used a See You at Six fabric for the lining.



I was in a hurry to make pictures, and I did not dare to iron the bottom seam yet. I never ironed wool yet, so very scary. The pictures were originally intended to be fit pictures, taken quickly when shooting these. I liked the pictures so much though, that I just stuck with them, although my bottom is a bit wobbly (due to the not yet ironing, the patterns instruction for bagging the lining are excellent) and the fact that I still had to secure the hood middle piece in the front by hand.


The Louisa coat* is on a 10% introduction sale now, over at the Compagnie M. web shop* with the code LOUISACOAT10. Feel free to leave a comment in the language you prefer (although Google translate might have to assist me if you choose something different than English, German, Dutch or Hungarian). If you buy anything through my affiliate links (*), I get a small commission (the price stays the same for you), I am very grateful for everything that feeds my fabric addiction.

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