Butterick6385 - Tweed and Melton Wool Coat


I made two coats from Butterick 6385. The tweed coat is mine and the gray one is my mother in law's.

It finally feels like the end of the year. I don't like this season, because it's the busiest time of the year in preparing for New Year's. I have to do some spring cleaning, write a lot of New Year's cards, preparing a New Year's party, etc. Besides, I promised my mother in law that I would sew the coat for this winter. She wanted a basic coat, but I didn't have any basic coat pattern, so I got Butterick6385 on sale.

I cut a size 8 and View C (funnel collar coat). I used the medium weight wool tweed and combined black faux leather.



I changed the design to so that the button would be hidden from a standard front because I wanted to show off the simple design. I added the interfacing to the wrong side of the button holes area.
I originally sewed on a snap button according to the instructions but I later removed it. I love the open-collar style and thought that snap button didn't look good. I added the hook-eye and squared button on the collar instead.




Can you see the pocket opening? I love the pocket design. However, this tweed wool is so busy that I couldn't see it clearly. I changed the faux leather from the tweed. I raised the waistline by 3/4 inches and made the belt using the leftover fabric.



I usually avoid wearing a light colour stand collar coat with a red lipstick, because I worry about getting makeup stains on the inside of the collar. This time, I don't care, because the inside of the collar is black faux leather.

 
I made the coat: view C for my mother in law. I used a soft melton wool. I was going to recommend view B (pointed collar coat version) for her, but she likes view C (funnel collar version) more. She usually wears a bulky turtleneck sweater in winter and doesn't need a top button, so I didn't sew it.

I just finished the coat today. The coat goes with almost anything. She doesn't like the under knee length coat, so I shortened the length by 2 1/2 inches. I cut around a size 14 (my normal size is 8 -10) but I didn't think it's droopy. If you want to wear a bulky sweater under neath, you can choose one or two size bigger. I wanted to have the coat ready for her by Christmas if possible, but I didn't finish it in time. I was sewing both the coat and my kimono every night but haven't finished the kimono yet! I wanted to wear a brand new kimono for New year's but I don't have much time to make it (T_T)



If I have a chance, I would love to make the pattern again. There are a lot of parts that make up the pattern, but it didn't take a lot of time to make. The instructions were pretty clear, and everything went very smoothly. If you look for a basic coat pattern, I recommend it.

Fabric: Melton 60" 2 1/8yd, Tweed 60" 2 1/4yd
Total Time Spent (not include cutting): 18 hours


Thank you for reading! I wish you good luck for the next year.

59 comments

  1. I love both! Great work Eli!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words stacy!

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  2. Sewing Cappuccino12/28/2017

    Gorgeous! Really love the change you made to the front buttons.

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    1. Thank you very much dear Sewing Cappuccino:)

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  3. These are gorgeous! I love the addition of the faux leather for the pockets. It really accents it well. I shall get this pattern too. It's nice to have a basic coat pattern. Your boots are so pretty and go perfectly with this coat. I wish I lived where it was colder. I'm in Oklahoma City and we have very little "cold" days to enjoy. My boots I bought in Germany stay packed away because most have lining and I can't even keep them on long enough to get out of the house! I can't remember about the belt. Was this something you got from a different pattern or was this something you were able to duplicate on your own? I like it with the coat. Happy New Year too! I'm in the process of preparing a list of goodies to bake for our party. I feel a little overwhelmed. Sewing is a stress release and I don't have time to sew. :(

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    1. Thank you for you kind words, Shirley! Your words always encourage me:) I usually buy my shoes from an online store because I am too shy to shop in-person. I've been to New York, Florida, San Diego, San Francisco, etc. I really love your country and would love to go many more places in the US. When Japanese people hear the word "Oklahoma", it reminds us of the music "Turkey in the Straw" because school students dance to the music in PE classes. We call the song "Oklahoma mixer". Lol. If I get the chance to go to Oklahoma, I would love to meet you. I usually use carbon paper when I trace pattern pieces. I bought the book "Pattern Fitting With Confidence" by Nancy Zieman to learn techniques for fitting. I love reading sewing blogs (yours too) because I want to collect information about sewing. Also, it's fun for me to learn more about people's daily lives from different countries. Have a great year!

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  4. I really love your tweed coat! So chic! And the one you made your mother in law is lovely, too. That is a very special gift! I know she will love it. I need to try this pattern. Happy New Year, Cat!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment Justine! I am happy to hear from you. I hope you will have a great year!

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  5. Beautiful coats! Especially the tweed one 😍

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    1. Thank you for your kind words dear Maria! I wish you a happy new year.

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  6. Both coats are beautiful! Great job!

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    1. Many thanks to Diane! Have a great year:)

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  7. Both coats are really beautiful! Happy New Year!!!!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment Tee! I hope you all a Happy New Year.

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  8. What beautiful coats. I particularly like the faux leather additions on yours and as usual you styled it to perfection.

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    1. Thank you very much Diane! I always look forward to see your project;) Have a great New Year!

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  9. both coats are so nice! great use of a simple pattern to make a sophisticated coat. love the touches of leather. And your grey boots! so cool:)

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    1. Thank you Beth! I am glad you said that:) I love the boots too. I hope you all a Happy New Year.

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  10. Beautiful coats and I agree that your boots are such a perfect match really setting off your coat! I have coats on my make list for 2018 along with other outer wear like capes and jackets so I'm always keen to see the details of how others are making theirs. Thank you for this post! Very helpful :)

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment Kathleen! Your comment is encouraging me. I am looking forward to your new coat and cape too. I hope you all a Happy New Year and sewing a lot.

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  11. They're beautiful Eli! What a generous gift for your Mother in Law!

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    1. Thank you so much Saki! I am glad you said that. I wish you a fantastic year(*´∀`*)

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  12. Both coats are lovely but I especially like the tweed one. Happy New Year to you too!

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    1. Thank you Vicki! I am glad that you like it. Happy sewing a lot:D

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  13. Your two coats are beautiful! I know what you mean about this being such a busy time of the year. You always amaze me with your beautiful sewing. You are a great inspiration to me and other sewists, Eli! Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment Jolirose! If my blog helps someone's project, I am pleased:) I hope you all a Happy New Year and sewing a lot. See you next year!

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  14. Both coats are beautiful, and I can see the craftmanship that went into them. I know your mother-in-law will be pleased with her coat!

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    1. Thank you dear Vanessa! I am very pleased. I am looking forward to see your new project:)

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  15. Nice coats, and happy 2018!

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    1. Thank you betty! Have a great New Year and happy sewing:)

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  16. Great coincidence - I had just pinned this pattern on Pinterest and here you've made it! I've been wanting a wool coat like this. I have wool that I bought last year but it has a pattern. This might be simple enough that I can line up lines well. I love the classic design! It was actually a wool coat that you made previously that brought me to your blog. Both coats are just beautiful and as always very stylish!

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    1. Thank you Janie for your lovely comment and pinning it. I am happy to hear from you😊 I am looking forward to your new coat. I would love to see it. I am just making my kimono but I am planning to make a red coat next year. I have to wrap the kimono up quickly.

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  17. Your coats are just amazing! I love the faux leather accents and the big button on your tweed coat, and both of your belts are so cool!

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    1. Thanks a lot Alli! I am glad that you like them😺 I will wear the coat a lot. Have a great day friend!

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  18. In my book making two coats in 18 hours belongs in the Guinness World Book of Records. What an amazing project, and both so pretty too. I didn't quite understand about the buttons for the tweed coat. Did you start to make buttonholes and then change your mind. You mentioned that you interfaced the buttonhole areas. Did you interface the buttonhole areas on the coat's facing?
    At any rate love your coats!

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    2. Thank you for your sweet comment Faye! One coat took 18 hours to make. I'm not such a genius. Ha ha😁 I am glad that you like them.
      Yes, I interfaced to the wrong side of each coat's facing. Then I added small interfacing to the buttonhole areas on it because I used a loose weave tweed.

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  19. Oh my goodness, you have been busy...two beautiful coats at this time of year...I do hope your M in L appreciates your work!. And I love your coat with the faux trim - it lifts the classic style to a little more edgy. Happy New Year

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    1. Thank you dear Sarah! You are so kind😊 I really love the effect of faux trim too. I am glad that I made the coat. Happy New Year and sewing.

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  20. Your coats are so pretty! I love the leather elements in yours, and the salt-n-pepper fabric. You are such a good person to sew a coat for your mother-in-law! *^v^* I've been thinking about making a coat this coming year, maybe I will finally try it. (I sewn one coat in the past but it wasn't the best attempt.)
    I wish I could see you in a kimono! Please finish it, wear it and show us the photos! ^^*~~
    All the best to you and your husband in 2018!!!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment Joanna! My mother-in-law made several kimonos for me, so I wanted to sew her garment. I've never seen that coat you made. I am looking forward to seeing your coat(^○^) I would like to sew a duffle coat with a heavy red wool next time.

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  21. Pamela H12/31/2017

    I also made used this pattern for a heavy winter coat this year. The pattern describes as for a closer fitting style, but I found making one size larger allowed me to underline with wool and also use a quilted lining with a great fit. It has turned out to be the warmest coat I've owned! I have a few questions about your experience. It seems the funnel neck option is most popular, it is the style I made as well. The funnel neck was quite high for me, I reduced the height by 1/2" and still wish I had lowered it another 1/2". Several reviews mentioned height of the collar as too much. Did you need to alter the collar? Also, I really like the hidden buttons. How did you go about this?

    As an aside, I will be in Tokyo this summer. Certainly planning a trip to the fabric mecca of Nippori Fabric Town. Would you recommend any other area in Tokyo for fabric shopping?

    Many thanks for the incredible makes and informative detail of your posts. Happy New Year!!

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    2. Happy New Year Pamela! That's a great idea to use a quilted lining. I think it's good for cold weather:)
      The funnel neck collar was high for me (I am 5' 4") but I didn't need to change it. I love the big collar and the height to hide my chin a little. However, If I used thick and stiff fabric, I would reduced the height.
      I made the buttonholes on the right facing of the coat then I stitched the facing and front parts together. If you sew a coat with the hidden buttons front, I recommend that you make a belt too��

      I love Nippori fabric town. If you come to Japan in August, you should check their working day. Many fabric shops in Nippori take Bon holiday (around 8/13 to 8/20). I often buy fabrics from "Kamakura Swany". They have two fabric shops in Kanagawa - Prefecture (30 minutes from Tokyo). Their both shops are close to attractive sightseeing spots, and the main branch (in Kamakura) wider than other. Feel free to ask me about Japan anytime. Have a great day!

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  22. Both coats look amazing, Eli. I can't believe you made two at the same time. That is truly impressive. I can't wait to see your kimono. Happy new year!

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    1. Many many thanks! you are so sweet, Olivia. I haven't finished the kimono yet😓 I hope you and your family have lots of fun and lucky♥

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  23. Pamela H1/02/2018

    Yikes!! I am a little shocked. I will be in Tokyo from August 10th-15th. Do not know what to expect with fabric shopping now. I went to the Tomato Shop site to contact for hours, but did not see where I could send email. It is my understanding most shops in Tokyo will be open during this holiday - it that right? Thanks if you could kindly answer this info. Meanwhile, I am trying to find out hours of Nippori and Kamakura Swany for these dates. Best wishes.

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  24. I adore your blue coat and the faux leather you used adds interest. I also like the grey coat you made for your mother-in-law. It is very practical and will go with many things in her closet I am sure. Beautiful job with both coats!

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    1. Thank you so much Tomasa! I am very pleased. I gave mother-in-law the grey coat today, so she was much delighted. Next time, I will make a jacket for her😁

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  25. Great coat, very nice fabric, and good idea is faux leather!!!

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    1. Thank you Dalwi! I am happy to hear from you:)

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  26. Wow! These are both stunning! What a great skill to be able to sew a coat, I can’t believe that you made 2!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment! I am very pleased:)))

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  27. I'm sorry I could not come to the blog, Eli.
    The coat is perfect, wear it on nice days.

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    1. Thank you for commenting dear Aysel! I am glad that you visit my blog:D

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  28. Catching up on my blog reading I finally got to your blog and as I was glad to see your coats! Both look great and I am sure your mother-in-law truly appreciates the one you made for her. I love your coat and the use of faux leather. I hope your new year is a good one!

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    1. Thank you Linda! I gave the coat to my mother-in-law on New Year's day! I was happy she liked it. Next time, I am going to make a jacket for her.
      I always look forward to seeing your new project!

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  29. Another gorgeous coat! 2 gorgeous coats! I completely missed the pocket made of tweed in that particular photograph and think it was brilliant to accent the coat with the faux leather. You always look so stylish and I love everything you make! Also apologize for inundating you with comments today..... I am catching up on blog reading and definitely didn't want to miss anything you've made. :)

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    1. Thanks a lot Lisa! I really love reading your comments😊 It was hassle to make the pocket twice but it's worth it. I am looking forward to seeing your new project. Your works are always elegant and beautiful!

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