I made a coat!!!

This is the Clare Coat by Closet Core Patterns. It is definitely not a pattern I would have chosen. Looking at the Closet Core website styling, I would not have given it a second glance.

However Lauren’s (from Guthrie and Ghani) Clare Coat looked completely different. The raglan sleeve and slightly flared shape vastly reduces any potential fitting issues, so us coat making newbies can concentrate on the technical aspects of making a coat.

The collar is designed to be worn as a funnel. Well for me, that would mean too long spent in the dry cleaners getting the makeup out of it! I much prefer it folded down as an enormous lapel.

I went with the pattern size 10. On the chart I was in between sizes in the bust area so went up as I find I always need to size up on RTW coats and jackets for my slightly broad back and muscly shoulders.

Due to the style I didn’t make a toile. I didn’t think I would be able to replicate the fabric in a toile to give me an accurate mock coat. And I thought I could always move the buttons. It is perfect. I can get a good sweater underneath.

There’s loads more details on my blog post. https://lovelucie.org/2020/12/30/i-made-a-coat/