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Ottobre 01-2010-14 - Denim Coat

I'm so pleased with how this little coat turned out, I hardly know what to say about it. It is a gift for my newest niece and I had so much fun making it! 

Ottobre 1/2010 Denim Coat

The pattern is in the Spring 2010 issue of Ottobre magazine. This is the third Ottobre pattern for me - the other two (here and here) were much simpler than this one. I was so impressed with this coat pattern that I cancelled my subscription to Threads and started subscribing to Ottobre. I've been subscribing to Threads continuously for 10 years now and haven't been impressed with the last couple of years at all. There are a couple of reasons for that. I'm not completely dissatisfied with Threads, but it seems like a good time for a change. Threads and Ottobre are entirely different sorts of magazines, but the funding for them comes from the same place so I had to choose one or the other.

Okay, back to the coat...

It is fully lined with a printed plaid (aka difficult-to-match plaid).

Ottobre 1/2010 Denim Coat

The buttons came home with me from NYC. I didn't have a project in mind when I purchased them - I just really liked them. I had the exact number called for in exactly the correct sizes for this coat - 4 larger for the jacket front and 2 smaller for the sleeve tabs - and considering the pace at which I'm sewing for myself these days, it seemed like it would be good to share them with someone else.

Ottobre 1/2010 Denim Coat

The sleeve tabs are a nice detail. All of the top-stitching is done with taupe thread using the triple-straight stitch.

Ottobre 1/2010 Denim Coat

The niece that I sent this to was just born in October, so it's going to be awhile before she can wear it. Right now it fits my two-year-old daughter pretty well.

Ottobre 1/2010 Denim Coat
It seems that the ponytails were feeling extra perky and the nose extra runny for this picture!

Thankfully, the season when she could wear this is pretty much over. I'd be tempted to keep it otherwise.

Ottobre 1/2010 Denim Coat

Generally, I make baby gift clothes pretty big (other projects here and here) for a few reasons:
  • pattern sizes can be quite a bit different than RTW (ready-to-wear) and it is hard to guess what size a baby will be in a certain season
  • babies outgrow clothes much faster than toddlers/pre-schoolers and if I'm going to go through the effort of making something it would be nice for it to last a bit longer
  • new parents usually get LOTS of little baby clothes and I when I was in that spot I really appreciated being able to pull out something new a couple of years down the road
Ottobre 1/2010 Denim Coat

This isn't a heavy coat and my niece lives in Michigan, so the number of months it can be worn might be relatively few, but I think it will be enjoyed nonetheless.

Ottobre 1/2010 Denim Coat

I'm not sure why I feel compelled to point this out (maybe because it is the only thing I'm not happy with), but the top-stitching on the collar is too far away from the edge. I should have ripped it out, but I didn't. Mea culpa. Okay, enough of that. Back to being happy with it...

Yay for satisfying sewing!

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Comments

  1. LoriDecember 4, 2010 at 10:38 PM

    the coat is amazing, what a wonderful present. Your daughter is the perfect model, darling.

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  2. Home's JewelsDecember 4, 2010 at 10:47 PM

    So very cute! You do beautiful work.

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  3. JoyDecember 4, 2010 at 10:56 PM

    Wow! It's perfect! The buttons are really neat, and I actually like the placement of your collar topstitching (:

    ReplyDelete
  4. thornberryDecember 4, 2010 at 11:17 PM

    Wow Renee, this is gorgeous! I like every detail - including the topstitching on the collar! I have that issue of Ottobre so maybe should think towards making that coat when the seasons roll around again. It looks lovely on your daughter by the way - I'd be tempted to keep it too!

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  5. SueDecember 4, 2010 at 11:59 PM

    The detail on the coat is great and your sewing is immaculate.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousDecember 5, 2010 at 12:17 AM

    What coo talkin' bout Willis?! I don't see anything at all wrong with the collar topstitching and that is a pretty close up picture. Fabulous job! now I want one in my size.

    ReplyDelete
  7. BeccaADecember 5, 2010 at 12:20 AM

    What a lovely gift for your niece! I'm sure it will get a lot of use. Your sewing is beautiful, the coat is fantastic, and your daughter is adorable. You may need to make another one of these for her.

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  8. MushyWearDecember 5, 2010 at 2:49 AM

    Gorgeous coat! What a fabulous gift.

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  9. baby clothesDecember 5, 2010 at 4:13 AM

    Wow! nice dress for a little girl as beautiful as my daughter.

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  10. CindyDecember 5, 2010 at 7:54 AM

    This coat looks fantastic in denim. I love everything about it...the buttons, the plaid lining, the topstitching (especially on the collar). It's all so super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ann Made StudioDecember 5, 2010 at 8:47 AM

    Any new Mom would love to have this beautiful jacket. It is a perfect gift and it looks adorable on your daughter.
    You did a fantastic job, I love all the details, fabrics and buttons.

    ReplyDelete
  12. RachelDecember 5, 2010 at 9:00 AM

    That is adorable!!! You did such a spectacular job!!

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  13. UtaDecember 5, 2010 at 1:54 PM

    That is so, so cute! Great topstitching as well, and the buttons are perfect for it. Ottobre is definitely worth it, at least for a couple of years, until you have covered all the "specials" (underwear, sportswear etc.). And I find them hugely inspiring, I can't wait to start sewing when I get my new Ottobre!

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  14. JamieDecember 5, 2010 at 3:59 PM

    As usual, I love it :-)

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  15. saadiaDecember 5, 2010 at 4:21 PM

    The lovliest thing I have seen in a while !

    ReplyDelete
  16. DharmaDecember 5, 2010 at 6:37 PM

    Adorable! You did a great job on the topstitching!

    ReplyDelete
  17. OmegaDecember 5, 2010 at 10:19 PM

    What a beautiful little coat, I know it will be much appreciated and your daughter is adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  18. TeeDecember 6, 2010 at 12:26 AM

    Awwww! Adorable, great job, love the details!

    ReplyDelete
  19. MILDecember 6, 2010 at 10:10 PM

    i saw it in person, it is very nice!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. VictoriaDecember 7, 2010 at 8:53 PM

    Beautiful coat for a beautiful girl!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. RuthDecember 9, 2010 at 11:34 PM

    Very nice! I love the coat!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. mcJanuary 14, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Wow!!! This is an amazing coat! I wish it were in our closet. The recipient will love it!

    ReplyDelete

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