How to sew or make a jacket, Sewing Coats and jackets, make your own coat, how to sew a coat, how to sew a cloak, learn to sew a jacket

How to Make Your Own Clothes..., from Your Very First Stitch to the Runway

Designing, Sewing, and Making Coats & Jackets

How to sew a Jacket

Reversible Ultra suede and off white fleece jacket

About Coats and Jackets	Sewing coats and jackets are both fun and practical. During cooler months everyone needs jackets to keep warm. Sewing coats can be challenging. I do not recommend even the easiest of coats for a brand new seamstress. After you have sewn a couple of items of clothing, then try a to make a coat from a simple pattern. Perhaps one with no zippers, collars, or buttons. After you have mastered that, then go for it and challenge yourself. I made my first coat in 11th grade. It took me 1/2 year at school to make it. I wore it and kept it for one year. It was long and made from soft thin stripped corduroy blue fabric with a darker blue lining and a layer of thin batting in it for warmth. It had a hood and was trimmed in dark blue fancy binding. I sold my coat for $75.00. That is not much today, but back in the late 1970's as a young teenager, I thought I struck it rich !!!
Best Fabric to Use -	Many fabrics can be used to make coats. First take into consideration the purpose of your coat. Is it going to be a winter coat to keep you warm, or is it going to be a light jacket to wear on cool summer nights. Some suggestions are: light weight cotton, denim, corduroy, light weight wool, wool blends, silk, rayon, and velvet.
Easy type Pattern -	The easiest type of pattern for a jacket would be one that does not require a lining. Another suggestion would be one that does not have sewn in sleeves. Also one that does not require buttons, or zippers.
Difficult type Pattern -	A difficult type of pattern would include patterns that have difficult collars, zippers, many buttons and button holes, fancy trim, and things of that nature. (like the photo below from the "Titanic Coat" that Rose wore. After seeing that movie about a million times (I love the costumes in it) I was going to make it, but it looks like one of my students beat me to it.

Pattern Pieces -	An easier type of coat would be like the one shown above. There was only 3 pattern pieces for it; sleeve, front and back. (the collar is included in the front and back pieces) This would be a great coat to start with.
Cost & Fabric Usage -	I would have to say that coats and costumes would be the most expensive type of clothing to make because they require more fabric and sometimes layers of fabric. Most coats require thicker fabric for keep warm with, which is usually more $. Cloaks are awesome and fun to make and maybe not as quite as expensive. They are also easier to make.
Comments -	I think I have already said enough about coats... (this was my longest section of all the clothes to make)

Look at the detail in this awesome coat. I really do want to make it !!!! In fact, I would like to make EVERY costume that Kate was lucky enough to wear in the movie "Titanic"

This beautiful coat was made from a soft light pink wool and was lined in the same color pink silk. It has intricate embroidery on the collar and cuffs. Now this coat would be a challenge.

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Handmade Coats and Jackets need a high standard of workmanship if they are to look professional and be successful. Additional shaping is usually required along with great pressing skills. Collars, facings, lining, interfacing, and usually set-in-sleeves are required.