Before I tell you about this coat, a little back story. Two years ago, while doing what I do best (a.k.a scouring Flickr for sewing inspiration), I fell in love with the Uptown Girl jacket, a Make it Perfect pattern. I obsessed over it for awhile, then ordered the pattern, having no idea if I had the skills to make the jacket. I was totally thrilled when it all came together – it was a huge undertaking at the time, and one of first real garments I ever sewed for Lila. The pattern gave me a serious sewing confidence boost.
And look at mini Lila in her jacket! It’s a size 1.
This, on the other hand, is a size 4. The Serendipity coat – another great pattern from Make it Perfect.
I had every intention of making this coat during fall KCWC, but the pattern wasn’t for sale in the US at the time. I was finally able to buy it from Pink Chalk Fabrics in December. I do wish she could’ve gotten some wear out of it this fall, because the size 4 ended up fitting a bit more snugly than I’d anticipated. The pattern calls for quilting cotton and I used velveteen, so I wonder if the thicker fabric had something to with that. The sleeves were looking pretty narrow when I made the exterior, so I went back and let out the seams out by 1/4 inch. But it still won’t be fitting in the next cold season like I’d hoped.
But back to the Innocent Crush velveteen…it’s pretty irresistible. So soft, and such a nice sheen. That Anna Maria Horner really knows her stuff. I dislike most everything purple, but I really do love this fabric.
Kristin picked up the velveteen for me at a Bolt sale over the summer, and I knew it was destined for this coat.
I picked a raspberry shot cotton for the lining.
It’s a warm and cozy coat – double-breasted, cotton batting sandwiched between the layers, and side seam pockets to keep fingers warm. And don’t let the sun fool you, it’s been cold around here.
Now you’d think a gal might like a cozy coat like this, right? Much like most of what I make for her to wear, she’s not too jazzed about it. She had a whole list of complaints – not comfy, the pockets are in the wrong place (?), blah blah blah.
See? Skeptical.
Nevermind, she’s sold!
But yeah, seriously, she’s not a fan. Oh well. I’m sure Oscar will look mighty fine in purple velveteen when he’s four.
Such a cute jacket!
Love the jacket – what is it with kids and their opinions?!
Oh no! And it’s so cute! When I sew for my kids I always try to have low expectations of how much they will like and want to wear the item, as obviously kids are fickle, but it’s still hard to accept it if they don’t like it, especially when you can’t see anything wrong with it and it took you ages to make! But she may change her mind yet.
What a beautiful use of the velveteen, and I love the wooden buttons! My 4 year old is often a bit meh about things I make her. It’s as though she doesn’t like the attention I give her when she’s wearing something new I’ve made. I have to use a bit of reverse psychology on her and casually give it to her or stick it in her drawer and pretend I’m not fussed if she wears it or not (although I keep offering it as something she might wear that day) until she decides to include it in her rotation. It usually works, but can take a while!
I hope Lila decides to love this beautiful coat, it deserves to see the light of day!
What lovely fabric and button choices! I’d wear it ;)!
What a gorgeous coat! And I love the uptown girl jackets too. I think I may order that pattern to make my little girl a spring jacket. Maybe I’ll be good enough at sewing by the fall to make her a velveteen Serendipity coat for next winter. I think I would like one for myself too. Thanks for all the inspiration.
It’s darling! Hopefully the coat grows on her as it’s just too darn cute for her not to wear.
Aww, but It’s so cute. Hopefully she will love it soon. I do love the amh velveteen too.
Very sweet. I may have to try one of those ; )
Oooh, mini Lila is adorable (although big Lila is also amazingly cute!). Such a fantastic coat, Gail. I need to get my hands on some of that lovely velveteen!!
I made O an Uptown Jacket a couple years ago and am actually in the middle of making her a new one (becaue it has been freezing lately!). I didn’t know that Making it Perfect had released a new coat pattern though…I’m going to need to check it out (especially since yours looks fantastic!)
I was so excited to see you come across my Google Reader this morning! The jacket is gorgeous! I love it. Good to know about the sizing – I will definitely size up if I make it. I <3 AMH velveteen. I just made a wholecloth velventeen quilt (both sides) for my folks for christmas. It was heavenly.
It looks great. I love the colour on her! Hopefully she’ll get used to it and grows to love it, because it would be such a waste if she wouldn’t enjoy wearing a lovely jacket like that!
So beautiful! And your fabric choice is exquisite – I’ve never seen that fabric in a store where I could touch it and be amazed by its softness. And of course shot cotton for the lining:)
Love the pictures of Lila – and your last comment about Oscar wearing this jacket in 4 years:) I bet there are many sewing mamas who would totally get it if you did so!
hahahaha! (about oscar…) save those handmades! she’ll cherish them later!
Ohhhhh it came together so well! And geez mini Lila was adorable. Wonder it this coat would fit Em; she seemed quite taken with it when I showed her…and maybe if she shows interest it’ll make Lila love it! HA! Kids. ;)
Such a cute coat, what is Lila thinking, anyways? Oh well… sounds like the perfect excuse to do some more fabric shopping and sewing to me!
I have been pouring over your blog for weeks! I love it!! You are an amazing seamstress. I have five boys and 1 girl who I believe is the same age as your daughter. I would call myself an advanced beginner sewer. I have made ruffle pants, pajama pants and a few easy costumes but am ready to try something new. Can you recommend a pattern to start with?? I’m really interested in the elephant pants you made, so cute! I also can’t wait to see what you sew for that sweet boy of yours. I would love to sew more for my boys but it’s tough!! Keep up your amazing blog!
Thank you! I highly recommend any Oliver + S pattern – the elephant pants are from the Oliver + S Sailboat pattern, and it’s a great one to start with. Good luck!!
all litllle girls seem to be very picky, my six year old it’s the same… @ first not to sure if she likes it then when a friend tells her @ school she looks pretty …. it’s luv @ first sight!!!!!!!!. i think you and little one r adorables…
Cute cute cute! My six-year-old gets picky too – she tells me that I don’t use enough color with the clothes I make and then asks for an all-black outfit. What?? I need to check out that coat pattern, it looks so cozy!
i love this! and that mini Lila pic?? too cute.
I love what you have made here, and your blog in general (on which I have been lurking for long…). Can totally relate to lila’s pickiness. Same story with my four (almost five year old here)!
asmita (elephantinthestudy.wordpress.com)
Hi Gail, Do you mind sharing where you found the mint colored fabric for the jacket up above? Or the wool for that beautiful school days jacket that you made? You have impeccable taste in fabric!
thanks laura! both those fabrics were purchased locally at Fabric Depot – the wool is made by Moda (not sure of the exact details) and the fabric for the Uptown Girl jacket is Robert Kaufman 21-wale cord.
Absolutely gorgeous Gail! Thanks for trying my pattern – love the velveteen, you are a star!
cute baby…and super cute jacket…thanks for a very nice post. love the photos!
cute baby..super cute jacket…
Your blog has given me the courage to try so many new sewing patterns. I’ve sewn a ton of Oliver and S and just tried this pattern. I got to the part where it was time to turn the coat and something is very wrong. I facebooked make it perfect and so far no reply….can you help?! I can email pictures…..
i can try! you can email me directly (probablyactually@gmail.com) and i’ll look at my pattern and see if we can figure something out!