I’m going to start doing a few Throwback Thursday posts since I have so many older items to blog about. I started working on this coat in the beginning of October and actually had it finished within 2 weeks – that says A LOT for a winter coat! I made view B.
This is BurdaStyle 7318 Maternity Coat. I had to order the pattern off of eBay because I couldn’t find it for sale anywhere else. I had 3 1/2 yards of wool coating material from Fabric.com in my stash and wanted to use that (it’s sold out now). I figured that would be enough but of course the pattern came and I needed more. My friend Ashley from Sewn By Ashley donated her 2 yards of the same fabric to me. I think overall the pattern needed 4 1/2 yards of fabric for the outer layer. For the lining I used flannel backed satin from JoAnns. Let me just say – THIS COAT IS WARM!
My measurements at the time were 37-41-41. I went with size 42 (16) which is 37 3/4 – 30 3/4 – 40 1/4. You’re supposed to pick your pre-pregnant size but I just based the size on my bust. I should have made a size 40 (14) so it fit just a bit more snug. Overall I’m happy with it and in those last few weeks of pregnancy it fit perfect. I was about 37 weeks in these pictures, give or take a week. I ended up delivering at 41 weeks.
The pattern calls for buttons on the front but they don’t tell you what size. You’ll need four 3/4″ buttons. After all that I ended up not adding any because making buttonholes on that thick of wool would have been a pain in my ass, so I made a belt instead. I cut the belt fabric 81″ long and 2 1/2″ wide with 1/2″ seam allowance. For the belt loops I did 3 1/2″ by 1″. The belt may be about 6″ too long, oh well.
Make sure to iron on all of the interfacing before you start sewing. The directions didn’t list when to do it, they just assume you did it first. If you’ve ever made a Burda pattern, you know the directions aren’t exactly awesome but overall for this pattern they were pretty good. I mean, the only thing I screwed up was forgetting to do the pleat on the bottom back. That’s not bad for pregnancy brain!
The pockets were a little confusing but if you just read the instructions and lay the pieces out it starts to make sense. I do think they are placed kind of weird. If you have the coat closed the pockets are on top of each other and your huge belly. I forgot to take a picture of that – sorry! But with the coat open the pockets are just fine.
Let’s talk about the hood – OMG! This thing is HUGE! I’m not even exaggerating. I can appreciate a large hood because I like to wear my hair wadded up in a mess, but this thing is massive. I honestly don’t think it’s meant to be worn because you can’t see anything. Also, the darts were hard to sew because of all the layers of thick materials.
The empire waist is a little too high for me. I think if you have a full bust and long torso (I swear my boobs start halfway down my chest) then you should add 1-2 inches to the length. You can’t really tell on mine since I made the belt and it ties right over the seam.
Next thing that I would have changed are the damn bell sleeves. Before I sew anything I like to check out Pattern Review and read the reviews about the pattern first. In one of the reviews of this coat, the lady said she ended up liking the bell sleeves, I’d like to say I HATE THEM!! I wish I would have went with my gut on this. I loathe these sleeves. I swear they get caught on everything, so beware. I did add about 3″ to the length to compensate for my monkey arms.
I know that sounds like a lot of negatives but for a coat pattern it really isn’t. Coats are always tedious and a massive amount of work. I think mine turned out nicely. I mean, just look at the lining – it looks so luxurious! I typically don’t wear purple but I fell in love with it on this material.
Overall I like the coat and the pattern. I’d recommend making the hood a bit smaller (or view A with no hood), no bell sleeves, making a belt instead of buttons and lengthening the waist if you need to. Now that I’m not pregnant I can’t wear this coat without looking like a crazy person – that and it’s April so I don’t need it, although Ohio weather is crazy. I’m debating on either selling it or just keeping it for future pregnancies.
I really hadn’t noticed the belt’s excessive length!
I’m impressed you sewed a coat, I picked the easy route and went with a cape. No fitting and my brain wasn’t up to much more than straight(ish) lines. Although I did do bound buttonholes!
The colours of your fabric are gorgeous, I’m so glad your very generous friend gave you her length so that you could make it all work. I’d say keep it if you’re planning eventual further babies, if not I’d sell it (do you have those pre-loved baby and maternity stores where you pay a cut of the price to the store to sell your items? You might get more for it that way, and it’s too lovely to sell for a minimum amount!).
I feel like the belt could be used as a whip! A cape is always cute 🙂 I did bound buttonholes once and it was SO MUCH WORK, so go you! That was the first and only time I’ve done them, they always look so nice though. We do have consignment shops but none for pregnant people I don’t think – but I’m going to check now that you gave me that idea. Thanks!
I don’t think that the belt is too long. Bir I do think that the pocket placement is wrong on the pattern. They are just too much on the belly and one thing is for sure – the in seam pockets are also wrong for a pregnancy wear. But pockets asside – it’s a fab coat! Love that purple lining! And the way sleeves bell out – cute!
As for the fit, it maybe could have been a size smaller from the shoulders, but then again you do need to be able to move while wearing the coat.
And I think burdastyle.de has all of the pregnancy patyerns available as PDFs.
I guess pockets for pregnancy are kind of hard to place anyways because of that big belly! I’ll have to check out burdastyle.de next pregnancy 🙂 Thank you!
I love your jacket! It suits you so well and is definitely a make to be proud of :-). You really should keep the coat for future use especially as it is something you have put so much work into
Thank you! I feel like everything I make I should keep forever but then my logical self says if I won’t be wearing it, I need to get rid of it :/
What a gorgeous maternity pattern! I love that it has a hood – and the style of it really suits you. Great fabric choice for it too – that you actually sewed a coat during pregnancy is super impressive!
Thanks! I was determined to stay warm!
Beautiful work! I salute you for making a coat while pregnant! I know I’ve never had that much sewing mojo when I’ve been pregnant. I love how the hood wraps around in front…so chic! I hope you have a wonderful time with you new little one.
Thank you! Sorry I just saw this comment lol I get so distracted because of baby <3