This coat started life as a blanket. I think it started that life quite a long time ago. It was made in the Albany Woollen Mills, now no longer there. I don't know when they closed down but I am imagining sometime in the 80s. I like that this coat has had a long life before and that it was originally made relatively locally. I cut the label off the corner of the blanket and hand stitched it into the coat.
And here's the coat. Ta daaaa......
I made the this pattern from Burda Style 10/2012. I made my usual size 12 (38) and it seems to fit pretty well. I left out the inseam pockets as I thought that some on the front would look better. I'm still planning to put in some welt pockets as I keep reaching down to put my hands in them only to find I haven't made them yet! My excuse is that it was very cold and I just had to start wearing the coat. I also brought a couple of buttons as I planned to put one or 2 on to hold it together rather than just the belt. I still haven't put them on as I wasn't sure I wanted to have a big button hole (or a snap) on the collar when I didn't have it fully buttoned up. My compromise is a kilt pin.
I hand stitched the blanket stitch all the way around, using some tapestry wool I got for $1 at the market. It was quite therapeutic really and a just took me a couple of evenings in front of the TV. I'm actually really pleased with it. It kept me warm at the same time too. Initially I had planned to do 2 or 3 rows of running stitch just inside too but in the end I didn't want to overdo the crafty-ness of it.
I think though that the fact that it does still look quite like a blanket is what has got me so many compliments about it. I thought it was reltively ordinary but I guess its quite unusual and the fact that it does look handmade does make people comment on it. I have even had a couple of requests for copies.
Its not lined as you can see so its a relatively easy make. I did flat fell seams, with a raw edge where I could and I like the rustic look of these.
It was a warm sunny lunch time when I photographed this but its been a wonderful coat for the chilly mornings and evenings. So with the sun shining, a cosy coat for when it isn't and at a total cost of $6 for materials I really have nothing left to complain about!
