The Great Coat Sew Along

I've been talking about making myself a coat for a really long time now.

I've drawn designs, I've done mountains of internet research, I even bought most of the materials about two years ago.

And- I never even made the pattern for it.

But this year--this year I'm going to do it.  I'm going to take those sketches, and I'm going to take that super expensive material, and I'm going to make myself the most beautiful and warm winter coat in existence.

It's going to be great.

In fact, it might even be so great that I end up with two coats!  Or ten! Who can tell?

And you get to come along for the ride! Hooray!

Let's get started with the design.

I'm really short.  As in:  I regularly get offered the children's menu at restaurants.  To combat this I try to accentuate my curves as much as possible to make myself look less like a minor.  I guess I'm mainly worried that somebody is going to call the police on my husband one of these days for kissing a "preteen" in public.

So my coat is going to have at least some minor shaping.

An empire-waisted coat was an option for a long time.  I look awesome in empire-waisted shirts so I'm sure it would look like sweetness.

Here's a good example of a double breasted empire-waisted coat.

Why yes, I am still working on my drawing skills.

However, I was thinking that I would like my coat to be knee length, since I get cold very easily. Unfortunately, empire-waisted things don't look as good when they are both that bulky and that long.

At least- not on me.

So I decided to go with something that's belted at the natural waist, with some some additional shaping.

I really like this design because it's feminine while still have super simple design elements.   I  know for a fact that I can make this coat, I find that fairly reassuring.

I'm still debating sleeve types.  It might be nice to have a subtle flair, outlandish steampunk cuffs, or even a bulbed end.  Just something to give the coat something uniquely me.

I'm also debating belt types.  I'm overly found of having an Obi-belt type affair.  I could also go with a more traditional belt, or even a sash.

This is going to be great.

How nitty-gritty you want me to get in my posts?  Do you want me to show you how I construct the pattern pieces from a basic block?  Or would you rather just have me get strait to the most interesting sewing bits?  Let me know in the comments!