SoleCrafts: Is it a Coat or a Bathrobe?

For the last month now I've been working on my entry into the Refashioners Contest. This year the theme was suits and I decided that I was going to make a new winter coat. Man that thing is a beast I've been working on it on and off for weeks but never seem to get anywhere so every now and then I stop and do a smaller project just to keep me going.

One such shorter project was this one - a simple coat. I've noticed in the last couple of years that during winter I am always wearing one of my ubiquitous fleeces. They provide the warmth I need (yes I am a major frog - I hate being cold) whilst still being really comfortable. But I hate always wearing the fleeces - its boring. And so last year I decided to try a few new coats that I could use instead that are a bit less boring than the fleeces. My first attempt was my purple funnel neck coat. I really like it, but I still want more options.

Then I was at the fabric store the other day and found this beautiful fabric. I really love the way the wool is sewn onto the black background in patterns. So pretty.

I have no idea what sort of fabric the backing is - I can't decide if it's a thick cotton or if its actually wool - but it doesn't really matter. Whatever it is with all the thread from the embellishment it's seriously scratchy so I knew I was going to have to line it.

Now I just had to figure out what pattern to make. I wanted a really basic shape that would let the fabric shine.

I trawled through my stash and found my print out of the Burda Style Bomber Jacket that I used to make my reversible satin bomber jacket. When I looked at the pattern closely I realised that it had the raglan sleeves and simple neckline that I wanted and it had appropriate ease for a jacket so with a few minor modifications it would be perfect.

I know - it looks nothing like a bomber jacket does it?

But it is - the changes I made were not really that significant.

I left off the bands at neckline, hem and cuff.
I extended the bottom of the coat 6 inches - flaring the pattern pieces out slightly at the bottom..
I extended the length of the arms by a couple of inches to account for the removed cuffs.
I made one slight adjustment to the pattern at the front neckline to make it a gentle curve into the front edge.
I left off the welt pockets (no way was I trying to do welts in that fabric) and sewed on patch pockets instead.

Fully lined the pattern in fleece, top stitching around the neckline and front edges. I made the lining 1" shorter than the coat and then bagged the lining.

The fleece I used inside is just something I had in stock - green paisley, I figured it's not likely to be seen too much so it didn't really matter what I used.

I added a tie to keep it closed rather than the zipper.

Am still debating removing the tie and adding a couple of snaps instead. I'm not sure if the tie makes it look too much like a bathrobe. I'll see how it goes once I get a chance to wear it. As it is we've had a very warm October so far - well obviously I have two new coats I want to wear now and another on the way - now it will never get cold again!