There is something about pea coats on children that make me giggle with delight.
They are so darn cute!
The coats and the children.
I recently made some, using the Peek-A-Boo Shop’s Pea Coat pattern for the Very Go To Christmas Pattern series that Andrea from The Train to Crazy is running. The series is full of great pattern reviews from a star studded line up of bloggers all using patterns from the Go To Pattern directory. Go To Patterns is an excellent resource (at least in my opinion) for tried and true patterns that sewing bloggers use and love.
So, I made the Olivia & Oliver Pea Coat…
…times three.
It was really quick to cut out and assemble. I think it would make a great first coat, if you’ve never made one before. It’s very basic with no pockets, no hood and all the raw seams are all enclosed.
It’s also a fairly quick, satisfying sew and straightforward enough that you could easily customize it with pockets if you wanted.
I personalized each jacket with a handmade tag made from white canvas and a fabric sharpie. (I really need to order some pro ones I won from Prap).
And I have to say, the colors in Owen’s jacket are my favorite. I chose bright colors for the boys’ linings that verge close to neon but not quite. The color pops stand out when they move around. So fun…
Okay… now
Five things I love about the pattern:
* The size range is large: 3 months to 8 years. That covers all of my kids right now and they are spaced relatively far apart in age. I love it when a pattern has a large age range like that, so I know I’ll get great use out of it.
* It fits really well. My children are slender, even as babies. These jackets fit great on them and don’t make them look even more petite because they are drowning in them. I found this to be true for the Peek-a-boo Shop’s skinny jeans pattern too. Love this pattern maker. 🙂
That is…with the exception of Owen. I went up a size for his jacket so he could wear it longer. The result is that it fits so so. I know it will look better maybe in the Spring.
* The construction is simple and there are not too many pattern pieces. Like I said…great first coat if you’ve never made one.
*The paper pattern was easy to cut out and assemble as well. Very straightforward and doesn’t use too much ink.
*You can make the coat almost blazer like if you use a thinner lining and maybe choose a slimmer size.. I chose to use fleece and make them straight coats this time, but I might whip another knit one up for Natalie come Spring? It’s such a versatile piece and a great pattern to have on file.
Three things to keep in mind, and that I wish I knew before I started:
* The fabric recommendations for each coat are pretty exact. There is not much wiggle room and not much fabric goes to waste when cutting the outer fabric (but you’ll have lots of lining leftover). This is especially true if you are using something directional, like corduroy.
* The jacket won’t look quite right until you install the buttons. Even after I top stitched all the way around twice, I was starting to worry that I wouldn’t like the fit of this coat. When I was completely done though, I was super happy with it. I gasped with delight as each of my kids’ tried on their coats.
*Setting in the sleeves will take longer than you might expect. I am guessing sewing the sleeves in took about 40% of the total sewing time (which was really only a couple hours…maybe… for each coat).
(You can see that I started to trace it the wrong direction. Oops. I also had to space it just right to get it to all fit.)
I was super thrilled to be able to make some cute little coats for my littles. Now, they can look quite dapper as they go to church or for just around the town adventures.
In honor of the Very Go to Christmas Series, Andrea is hosting an awesome giveaway. Duh…
(Gotta love Reid’s expressions. He uses his whole body and pulls the best ones)
Go here to enter and to see the rest of the line up of bloggers who participated!
Hope you’re having a lovely holiday season!
See ya!
The coats are amazing! My favorite part is the Love Mom label inside. So sweet and special.
yes…the coats are absolutely amazing– you are so talented. I love the pops of neon color!
Amazing coats, love the labels too.
So adorable!
WOW, you are amazing! And you're right……they are all adorable. That was a lot of sewing, girl. Beautiful job!!
So so Cute! You are an amazing seamstress. Great job.
These are really, really cute. They looks tricky– but I'll have to check 'em out if they're not too hard.
Delia – you are freakin' INCREDIBLE. I cannot believe you made 3 peacoats AND those suits for your boys – it's like you're still on your PR&P sewing schedule or something. These jackets are adorable and I LOVE the lining colors and the tags. You also make very very beautiful children.
Adorable:) my favorite are the colors and the labels:) great job!!!
Ok, I've had this cut out and sitting on my " to sew" pile for a month! I think your post has put it now on the SEW IMMEDIATELY pile! It is so cute!
The tags inside are fabulous!
Thanks for the review! I wish my niece & nephew lived closer so I could make things for them (like a cute pea coat!); by the time we live near them we'll probably have kids of our own! 🙂
Fantastic JOB! I agree w/ the other commenter about still being on the PrP sewing schedule! 3 pea coats and suits…..SUPER! They turned out fantastic. I would be scared of something like this, but with your encouragement, I'm gonna have to give it a try 🙂
delia! amazing!! you've really been sewing up a storm! the pictures are fantastic as well, such cute kiddos! i have never sewn a coat before, but my daughter misses her hand me down last years green pea coat so much 🙁 perhaps, not for chrismtas (too late for that now i fear), i might make her a new green coat for her february birthday! great job!
wow- reid was cracking me up !!!! crazy kid!!! love the coats!
They look great! I love how well it works for both boys and girls!
Those coats look so great!! Oh, and Reid is awesome.
These are ADORABLE. I seriously can't handle how great these turned out.
And you have the cutest little models- love those faces. Natalie is getting so big (and her brothers clearly adore her). Love everything about this post! 🙂
are you kidding me Delia? These are amazing! wow. I love the colors you chose and the lining is so fun!
oh my, delia. these coats are FANTASTIC! seeing the three of them together in their coats! oh, so wonderful. beautiful job!
-jess
oh my, delia. these coats are FANTASTIC! seeing the three of them together in their coats! oh, so wonderful. beautiful job!
-jess
Very, very cute!
I can't believe you sewed a coat for each kid! Oh wait…yes I can. 😉 Love them, though; fun linings are my fave. Awesome that Owen is such a cool cat and Reid is a total ham. And I love that you made Nat's in green!
Delia, this is a fantastic post! And I'm so impressed that you made THREE coats! I suddenly want pea coats for my three children. I wonder if they would wear them much here? It was 80 degrees today…
Oh I love so much about these: corduroy, wild lining, mom tags! So great and they can get so much use out of them dressed up or down! Great project!
They are all so dang cute! Amazing job (as usual) delia! You are incredible.
Tags: design your own and print them on.. kona or other material at spoonflower. I love my tags. Your coats are FABULOUS¡
Coats and Suits in the same month? You are amazing. Do you sleep? 🙂
You are amazing Delia, those pea coats are fantastic! Such cute children too!
The coats are adorable! Really love this pattern!
Evin5 at aol dot ocm
The coats are adorable, the labels are awesome, and your kiddos are a delight. 🙂
It would be fun to make the arms just a little bit too long, and then cuff them. Cute!
Beyond adorable!!!!
Totally have been looking for a pea-coat pattern! How adorable and how convenient!
These are just so great Delia. iI want to make another one now!
I love pea coats! So cute.
Delia, these look great! I love the colors that you chose. The fit is fabulous! Your kids are just the cutest too. Great job. I just might have to get over my fear of sewing a coat! You've inspired me. 😉
Oh. my. goodness! I just wanted to say that these are the cutest coats I have ever seen! After seeing yours I had to give it a shot! I just bought the pattern and come corduroy and I’m hoping that it turns out half as cute as yours!!! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
These are absolutely wonderful! I was just thinking how I'd love to sew another coat for my son and how handsome he would look in a pea coat. Thanks for the great review. If you ever come across a pattern that goes past size 8, please mention. My little weed of a 7 year old needs size 10!