I made these coming straight out of my green coat escapades (luckily fixed, but it took a long time..). By comparison, making these was just a joyful and easy task. I cut and fused them a couple of months ago, and then sewing them up literally took one day per coat. Now, I have made a few coats and I’m a pretty quick maker, but by any standard that’s a pretty speedy pattern! What helps is: the excellent drafting, the very good instructions, the lack of tailoring techniques needed and the fact that they’re just so.. miniature. If you’re ever scared of tackling a new sewing skill, I highly recommend making it in a kids format first – it’s just so much more manageable.
I made these using gorgeous wool that I bought from Kashi at Metro Textiles in NYC in the fall. On the bolt, they didn’t look that fantastic but they sewed up beautifully and the end result is great. I bought two colours: red for brunette B, and a deep indigo/violet for blondie Z. Then for the body lining, I used kitty quilting cotton for B and Cotton+Steel arrows for Z; they were also both lined with Thinsulate to make sure they would be warm enough. Finally for the sleeve lining I used some Bemberg lining to make sure they’d slip on and off easily.
Oh what beautiful, beautiful little duffel coats! I have a soft spot for duffels anyway but these are extra special: the finish, the lining, everything! It’s nice to read that the girls appreciate them too. Funnily enough, I’m just about to embark on my first Oliver +S pattern – a layette for my future nephew – so it’s good to hear they’re well drafted. x
Yes there’s something so evocative about duffel coats.. perhaps it’s just Paddington! You’ll enjoy using their patterns so much – it’s just smooth sailing all the way, in my experience.
Oh, those coats are pretty! I haven’t made that one yet. I adore Oliver + S patterns for my girls. The picnic blouse and shorts set is adorable but my kids won’t wear it because they only wear leggings, skirts, and dresses. The hide and seek dress/tunic is great for showcasing a special fabric and is very comfortable. I love the birthday party dress and the puppet show dress/tunic (and shorts) as well. And the hula hoop skirt! I want to try the pinwheel set (slip dress + tunic that can be layered), the library dress, school photo dress… Actually, all of them!
Oh I’ll have to check those ones out for future birthday presents!
Super cute!
Thanks Nakisha!
I just made the art museum trousers (pants) using the tutorial on their website to make a working fly (the pattern is for a faux fly. The tutorial was mainly easy to follow but I messed one bit up where I found the instructions unclear). It’s nice to have a sewing pattern for an older boy, but he really needed an age 9, whereas the 5-12 pattern actually comes in ages 5,6 7 8,10,12, which I didn’t realise until after I bought it (although it’s clearly on the pattern envelope), so it’s slightly less useful for me than I thought it would be. Good pattern though, clear instructions, if you want to see the one’s I made they’re blogged here https://prolificprojectstarter.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/boring-trousers/ .
Ooh interesting, I will check them out!
These are adorable! I’ve been eying up this pattern for my little nephew… I love the idea of turning him into a human Paddington Bear! I’ve used the Oliver & S Roller Skate dress pattern and it turned out way cute. Those patterns are the best!
Aren’t they just! And yes to human Paddington bears! Talking of which, I’ve got to watch that movie…
Those are so darn cute! So glad they love them !
Cuteness x 2!
Goodness, I feel an immediate need to make a coat for myself with a kitty cat lining! Such lovely, lovely projects. I love the Oliver + S patterns – great instructions and very kid proof. You must be delighted with them.
YOU SHOULD, RIGHT NOW
These are gorgeous, and the girls are adorable in them! I’ve actually had my eye on this pattern for my daughter. I have made a few Oliver + S patterns for her, and I did find that when she was an infant, the sizing was a little wonky. Now that she’s in toddler sizes, though, they fit much better. (It seemed like the O+S block started reflecting RTW around size 24m.) She’s an average height/skinny and VERY active kid, and my go-to pattern from them is the Playtime Tunic and Leggings.
Oh that’s interesting about the baby sizes – I’ve only ever used their 2+. I’ll check out that tunic/leggings pattern as that seems to be de rigeur for littl’uns these days
I love O+S patterns! Now that I am done with extra schooling, I am set to get sewing for my neffies and niece! So excited 🙂 Till now have only made the Ice Cream Social dress, but I love it!
Awesome!
Super cute! And wonderful that they are so appreciative of course!
Indeed! They have been mothered well 😀
Too adorable for words!!! I am in love with your lining choices!!!
Thanks! They’re so cute I want one for myself too
I’ve been wanting to make this pattern up for T with a matching Albion for me. Would that be too dorky for words?
That would be the precise amount of dorky!
Those are fantastic. They look adorable!
Thanks!
Love the coats! I’ve been meaning to try that pattern…. My favorite O+S patterns are the roller skate dress, the cargo pants, and the nature walk pants. I’m working on the sailboat top right now.
Ill have to check those out!
Great coats! Sewing for kids is so much fun! I notice many people giving up on sewing once their kids start asking for fitted clothes. Starting at the other end by tackling your own fitting issues first must make sewing this tiny clothes without darts feel like a walk in the park for you!
Isn’t it just? When I was learning it was very helpful to try things for the first time on kids clothing.. but now it makes a nice break from harder fitting 🙂