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Dressmaking Guide for Using Coating Wool, Coating Fabric & Tips for Making Your Own Coat
How to Make your own coat using our Coating Wool or other Coating Fabric?
Have you been inspired to create a timeless, one-of-a-kind coat or jacket using our fab range of coating wool and other coating fabric? Well read on to find the virtues of different fabric for different types of coats, handy dressmaking tips and what to look for when buying a sewing pattern.
What fabric should I make my coat with?
It depends on what kind of coat you are trying to make. Different coating fabrics will have different qualities. Wool is extremely luxurious and warm and is perfect for Maxi or Duffle Coats.
Tweed Fabric and Tartan materials are similarly warm and cosy and provide a great look too.
Fabrics are also increasingly available by the metre pre-lined. We have fleece lined corduroy, which make an excellent coating material too as the fleece adds an extra layer of warmth not always associated with corduroy.
For lighter weight coats, cotton canvas or a Gabardine could be a great choice too. Whilst denim and corduroy are fabrics probably more associated with jackets as opposed to coats, they could also be good options for those months where it's neither bitterly cold nor scorching hot.
What coating fabric is best to wear in the rain?
Whilst you wouldn’t wear wool specifically for wet weather, it actually does a job in the rain. One of wool’s many qualities is that it can absorb moisture without feeling wet to wear. In fact it can absorb nearly 50% of its weight. As tweed and tartan are often made from wool, this accounts for them too.
If you are looking for something specifically waterproof, to intentionally wear in the rain, you might be better off looking at more synthetic fibres such as Nylon, Polyester, Gore-tex or vinyl.
Wash and care once you have made your coat?
It is best to look at the wash and care instructions for the specific fabric you have chosen to make your coat with. Bear in mind that if you have used a lining or interfacing, you will also need to check the wash and care instructions on them too.
As a rule, coats, are normally dry clean only though.
Coating sewing patterns for dressmaking?
We have a huge range of stylish sewing patterns for coats and these will help you every step of the way. They provide a step by step guide on how to create your own unique item and will often give you choices on elements of details such as sleeves and collars so you can tailor it to exactly what you want.
Our sewing patterns will always include sizing and skill level so you can choose a guide appropriate for you.
How much fabric do I need to make a coat?
One of the benefits of choosing a sewing pattern as mentioned above is that they will also provide a fabric requirement too. This means they will tell you the required fabric you need to make the garment in your size.
If you are not using a sewing pattern, you will need to do some calculations yourself and you will need to know exactly the size and style of coat you are planning on making. Here’s a really great guide on calculating the amount of fabric you need
Another thing to bear in mind is the fabric repeat. By this we mean that if a fabric has a pattern on it, you will not want that pattern to be cut off half way through.
Why add a lining to your coat?
Coat linings are a great way of both adding detail or a contrast to your clothing item. Adding for example a cream lining to a navy coat can add a whole new dimension aesthetically. Linings are also a great way of providing added warmth and for comfort. For example, some people can find some wool material a little itchy to the skin. Adding a lining to your coat will help guard against this.
Using an Interface when making a wool coat?
Using interfacing is a great way to add structure and rigidity to either the whole coat or a specific part, such as the collar. It is attached to the wrong side (side not on view) and helps with strength.
With so many great sewing patterns to choose from it has never been easier to create your own stylish garments. They provide excellent guidance as well as inspiration. Add to that our fab range of coating fabrics and you can get started straight away.
Happy Sewing.