Handwoven Coat

Handwoven Winter Coat

I wove the fabric for this coat-the tan was my own handspun merino wool and the purple was Harrisville Shetland wool. The pebbly fabric was originally in a honeycomb weave that turned into "pebbles" when I accidentally shrank it in the washer. The smoother fabric is plain weave wet-finished in the same manner. The pattern is adapted from Butterick B5254. I airbrushed Dharma Pigment Dye and Dye-Na-Flo dye on the purchased lining material to provide a contrast with the outer fabric. The heavy fabric and multiple layers made thick seams but were beaten into submission using lots of steam, a solid tailor's clapper, and a bit of elbow grease, and then either under-stitched by hand to keep them open and flat or top-stitched.

So many times when people learn that I'm a weaver, they ask whether I make rugs, but, my interests in spinning, dyeing, and sewing lead me in other directions. The ultimate rush is combining all of them!

Pattern or design used: Butterick B5254 (modified)

Webslave, member
Posted on Apr 30th, 2010 in fabric, reader's closet, fabric

Comments (1)

trishapat writes: This looks great. I love the degree of contrast that the two colors and weaves have as well as the way they seem to have similiarities. I would love to see close up pictures of the fabric. The style you chose is very classy ... timeless but not boring. You did a great job! I'm surprised that there aren't more comments on this ... it is truly creative and interesting and looks very well made. Keep up the good work. I hope you post other things you make.
Posted: 10:10 pm on May 18th

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