I always wanted a Pea Coat

Back when I was finishing up college Pea Coats were all the rage, but I had no money so I didn’t get one. Then they went out of style for a while, so I still didn’t get one. Then they came back in style again this fall and I decided I wanted one. But dammit, I still have no money.

I decided it would be a lot cheaper (albeit, a lot more work) to make my own.
Vintage Simplicity 7905 “Mod Spy Girl Coat” Pattern – $8
Two Yards of Gray-Blue wool coating fabric – $24
Two Yards of pale blue flannel back satin – $12
Ten 1″ buttons – $10
Two spools of gray blue thread – $8
One and a Half yards of Shirt Tailor interfacing – $6
Armani Neck tie, sacrificed for the neck tie interfacing – $0

Seeing the reaction on people’s faces when I tell them I made this:
Priceless

Simplicity 7905

Back of coat

Another shot of the front

Ubiquitous disinterested fashion model pose

perfectly set in sleeves

Other side of the coat

the coat unbuttoned

unbuttoned (again)

Oooo looky...I can unbutton and flip the collar over

Elizabeth

November 24th, 2009 at 12:29 am · Reply

So this is what you’ve been up to… It looks amazing! Kudos!!!

November 24th, 2009 at 5:39 pm · Reply

Sweet coat! I have two wool blazers I made in the 80’s that I’m loathe to get rid of because they are awesome and I made them. Unfortunately, they’re sooo 80’s I can’t really wear them. Your pea coat is a classic and you can wear it forever!

Sara

November 25th, 2009 at 3:56 pm · Reply

Wow, that looks sharp! Love it!

Robyn

November 26th, 2009 at 1:37 am · Reply

You did a fabulous job! I seriously thought at first that those were pictures from the pattern envelope. Where do you find wool for $12 a yard?

kerry

November 26th, 2009 at 1:58 am · Reply

Robyn,
There is a fabric store here that buys overstock from garment manufacturers at low prices. Their prices are incredible. They selection is not huge – the store is small and the inventory is pretty static, although the owner buys large quantities several times a year. They seem to get a lot of different stuff. I got my Target Tennis Dress fabric there, as well as the black/white/lime green print dress fabric, for $1.50/yard.