Saturday, December 17, 2011

Faux leather/shearling and Simplicity 4356 - A Perfect Match


I've wanted a faux leather/shearling coat for over two years. I thought about making Vogue 1198, but that wasn't quite the look I was thinking when I first envisioned a faux leather/shearling as part of my winter arsenal. So I started researching online stores and found a few that I liked at Nordstorm. Once I found the inspiration coat, purchasing the fabric was easy. Vogue (Roosevelt Rd.) has a large section of faux suede and faux leather shearling many colors. I went with this rugged texture.


I didn't necessarily want to replicate the Nordstorm coat, but to find a silhouette that match the pattern I was thinking about using hoping the design would be a good match for the fabric.

This morning I woke up to snow which I could do without for another twelve months.  The blizzard of 2011 was enough to last me a lonnnngg time.


Simplicity 4356

There is not a lot of descriptive information on the pattern envelope.  But I described this view as a shawl collar princess seam coat with patch pocket and cuffs.  It comes in sizes 6 - 22. This pattern has been around for a while. I used it to make view C for my sister in 2006.


My coat has the basic silhouette of View A, but I made many changes to create the look I was going for. Most of the instruction were skipped because of way I wanted to use the fabric. But the basic construction method were the same as described in the sewing directions. This pattern is good basic shawl collar jacket/coat pattern. It's a keeper. I didn't have any dislike for it.



My changes were many -
  • I omitted the front facing and the use of the block for binding.
  • The pocket were finished by turning the shearling to the right side of it; then stitched.  Next, I attached the pocket to the coat with the raw edges exposed.
  • To finish the center back of the collar, I following the same instructions for the cuff on the sleeve (#11 and #12).
  • I made a FBA and prominent shoulder blade adjustment.  The fabric has almost zero give.  So I cut the coat one size bigger to make sure I had enough wearing ease.
  • I eliminated most of the ease of the sleeve cap because of the bulky,stiff fabric.
  • None of the raw edges were finished.  
  • Added about an inch to the center front; made buttonholes.
  • I lengthen the coat about two inches.
I can't say that I will or will not sew the coat again.  I do like the purse and may make it using the leftover fabric from this project.  This pattern is versatile and can be used as the basis for designing your own coat or jacket.  I recommend it to other sewists.  It not a difficult coat to sew.  And the instructions for adding the binding are not hard. 

More pictures can be found here on Flickr.
This is a fairly easy pattern to sew that will produce good result.  I love my new coat and I will get a lot of use out of it.   I'm wearing a Butterick top made years before I started blogging and Simplicity pants 2860 made October 2008



26 comments:

  1. Beautiful work and result. Like you say, you'll wear this a lot. Enjoy!

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  2. Beautiful coat. Looks warm and snuggly. I'm putting a coat on my list of "must do"s but will wait for our winter mid 2012.

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  3. Your jacket is fantastic...I just love it! But I'm with you, I can totally do without the snow...

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  4. Very Nice! My alter-ego wants to ask "What's a Coat?" - then duck and run!

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  5. You did an awesome job on that coat. I love it.

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  6. Gorgeous, Cennetta! As for the snow? Well, I'm happy celebrating a 'white Christmsas' by looking at old-timey pictures!

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  7. WoWser.... Awesome coat... love It and the hat too.

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  8. Gorgeous coat! The style is great on you. That shearling looks like it will keep you super warm!!!

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  9. Beautiful! And it looks warm. a hard combo to achieve.

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  10. Wow that looks fantastic, so luxe. love it, and the weather cooperated to give you a great photo shoot.

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  11. I don't have to worry about you being cold. It's beautiful!

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  12. The snow makes a lovely backdrop for your chic and I hope, very warm coat.

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  13. Wow! Beautiful work. I love the coat. You look so good.

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  14. Very nice!!! It looks great on you.

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  15. Wonderful coat! Hope it keeps you toasty all winter long.

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  16. Your coat looks great. This was a perfect pattern for this fabric. The snow is pretty but glad it is not in my area!!!

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  17. Super coat. I love shearling. You did a fantastic job of sewing it.

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  18. Love it! Added it to the wish list.

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  19. you look so nice in the coat thanks for sharing. I love the pics they look so professional. But the coat is wonderful.

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  20. It looks so stylish and so warm - a great combo which you seemed to get with this coat!

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  21. Very, very nice coat! Absolutely beautiful work! I like yours better than the inspiration piece!

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  22. I am about to try a faux shearling/ microsuede jacket for my daughter. Did you use an interlining to make it warmer? She is in Iowa so I want it wearable :P If I do use an interlining do I work it with the lining or the outer material? It is my winter break project :)

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  23. Thank your everyone!
    Chrispi2 - I didn't use a interlining. Either side of the fabric can be used for the right side of the coat/jacket. So the faux shearling doubles as the lining and wrong side of the coat. Your daughter may want to consider wearing a sweater underneath for added protection against the strong mid-west wind. Thanks for asking,
    Cennetta

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  24. Gorgeous coat! Now you are ready for the next storm, not that I'm wishing for one!

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