So, for your viewing pleasure, here we have the Dawson Coatigan from Thrifty Stitcher, a project that was soooo long in the making and soooo long in the blogging as well (I’ve had the pictures ready for months). Now just waiting for the opportunity to wear it where other people than my husband can actually admire it. It might be perfect for when we come out of lockdown in September (sorry, a bit of gallows humour I could not help).
DISCLAIMER: I was a sample maker/tester for this pattern, and I was offered a digital copy of the final pattern (I made the garment using an early hand-drawn prototype). Claire Louise Hardy, aka Thrifty Stitcher is a close personal friend. I was not asked to review the pattern by the designer, and all thoughts are my own.
I met CL Hardie, the original sewing producer of the Great British Sewing Bee (seasons 1-4), after I was a contestant on Season 3. We stayed in touch afterwards and since became close friends, united by our common love for sewing, talking loads and loads and sustainability.
I used to go to her North London studio now and again to sew and gossip and drink tea. It was during one of these outings that I got a chance to pattern test the Dawson Coatigan for her, during the pattern development process. This is the garment that I made during that session, that I took home to finish.
More than 2 years later (shock, horror!), here we are, with a finished garment.
THRIFTY STITCHER DAWSON COATIGAN – THE PATTERN
I loved this pattern as soon as CL sent me the sketches. It has what I call CL’s trademark curved pockets (like in the Drapey Dress from the Sewing Bee Season 3 book), some very nice dart detailing in the back and on the sleeves and an interesting collar.
This is the pattern description: The elegantly tailored Dawson coatigan will take you seamlessly through seasons, and introduces soft tailoring techniques with sophisticated pockets and interesting dart details.
And so it does. I would recommend this pattern for intermediates and up.
I made my version from an initial hand-drafted copy, before it got graded, so I’m not sure what size I am exactly, maybe a C. I’m normally a 38-40 European and 10ish UK.
For the record, my measurements are:
- Hips: 98 cm (38.5in)
- Waist: 72 cm (28.5in)
- Bust 88cm (34.5in)
- Height: 1.72m/5.7in
I also cannot comment on the instructions, as I did not follow the final pattern ones. I saw them afterwards and I think they are very clear, but again, I knew what I was doing when I sewed the garment, as I had CL guiding me in person. To note that they are based on photographs, not diagrams.
THRIFTY STITCHER DAWSON COATIGAN – THE FABRIC
The fabric was swap with CL, as the one I had brought to the studio to sample the garment wasn’t really that suitable. She had this one in her stash, as I offered her another piece from my stash in exchange.
It’s a medium to heavyweight brushed polyester coating, that sews really nicely, with a good drape and no wrinkling.
I would definitely recommend a thick, firm woven fabric, like boiled wool or a thick, firm, stable jersey.
I also wanted to line it, to make it more like a proper coat than a coatigan. So I used this golden brown lining from my stash that was just perfect.
THRIFTY STITCHER DAWSON COATIGAN – ALTERATIONS AND FITTING
I don’t really want to talk too much about alterations, because I was working on development sample, that fitted me pretty spot on from the bat. I had sewn the outer shell at CL’s, but then took it home and added the lining.
I had to draft the lining based on the main pattern pieces, and as both the front and back are made up of two pieces each, it was a bit complicated, as well as accounting for the facings and pockets.
After I put the lining in, the sleeves looked too long, so I took off about an inch from the edge. I’m not sure if the sleeve length was changed in the final version though.
The only thing I miss with this is a bit of a closure. It’s meant to be worn open, but I could never get on board with that for coats or even cardigans. I’m always cold, so I really like to have the option to wrap myself into a coat. I have been mulling on what kind of closures I can put on, maybe snaps or some sort of toggle. I have been scouring eBay for inspiration, but nothing so far. Please shout if you have any ideas.
THRIFTY STITCHER DAWSON COATIGAN – CONSTRUCTION
I don’t think it’s a very complicated project, but it’s not a one-day sewing one either. There are some really cool details, like the darts in the back and sleeves and the curved pocket.
I definitely made my life harder by adding in the lining, and that’s why it was on my mannequin for almost a year. It took me a while to stop procrastinating and draft the lining, then cut it out and then assemble it. The shell was already constructed from the session at CL’s studio.
If you are not lining it, it would be a nice touch to bind the seams with bias tape (Hong Kong seams).
I still feel like I haven’t mastered bagging the lining properly, as I had to do some jiggery-pokery to get everything to line up properly. I’m not sure if it’s my sewing technique or my drafting one, but it’s done now, so I am ready to let go.
I am also slightly unhappy with how the front hangs, but it’s totally my fault for easing in a slightly too short facing, so it’s curving up a bit and making the edges stick upwards. I pressed the life out of it, but it only sorted it so far. Again, live and learn.
DIY CAMEL COAT – VERDICT
I finished it last autumn but it was already too cold to wear it out (especially with the lack of closure. So it never got actually worn outside, which is quite sad. Given that lately, I’m only wearing lycra when going out (exercise gear and trainers), I can’t see when it will get its maiden outing.
Which is such a shame, because I would really love a nice camel coat in my wardrobe, and getting loads of inspiration from Pinterest on how to accessorise it.
It’s not perfect by any means, but I think that’s mostly my lack of skills than the pattern. It was such a perfect combination between the pattern, fabric and lining!
I really love this version made by Camelia from Calcedonia Sewing. I think it’s such a great make, perfect pattern and fabric combination! Really nice work that does the tailoring detail great justice!
THRIFTY STITCHER DAWSON COATIGAN – RECAP
PATTERN – Dawson Coatigan by Thrifty Stitcher; size C (ish)
FABRIC – Brushed polyester (shell) and polyester lining
ALTERATIONS – Added lining; removed 2.5cm (1”) from the sleeves
OTHER VERSIONS – Camelia from Calcedonia Sewing; Susan from Susan Young Sewing;
SAVE THIS FOR LATER ON PINTEREST
TELL ME WHAT UFOS ARE YOU WORKING FROM THE LOCKDOWN WHEREVER YOU ARE? IS LOCKDOWN THE BEST OR WORST TIME FOR UFOS?
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Oooh I love it Alex. The back neck darts and curving neckline are such great details.
How about mahoosive bronze metallic snaps, or a leather belt for fastening?
It’s amazing, completely! I love your look and the camel hair too!
I couldn’t see where to post about getting to WIPs or UFOs during “lockdown” – so I’m doing it here.
I’ve completed some. Now that it’s gone on this long, I WANT to work a new project!!! – a very simple oversized vest of bulky yarn that I bought on a very special trip to BC in December AND lone that is a very old make that I gave away to a dearest friend ever – a knit and beveled tea cozy.
So making during the pandemic is complicated – both really hard to finish projects that involve too much thought and for me carry equally hard mental roadblocks to starting anything new.
Being kind to myself during this makes me deeply aware to notice moods and look to reward myself, to let myself unknit that sock I didn’t like the looks of from the beginning and stuff that yarn away with other sock yarn for another …time.
I also love the back neck darts. It adds some lovely shaping. I have 3 projects cut out, 2 quite quick makes and then the thread theory Goldstream peacoat for my hubby.
That looks very classy! I second Diane’s suggestion of a leather belt. Or how about using a brooch to hold it closed?
Glad you are feeling a bit less down about sewing and blogging. We need all the distraction we can get right now, even if it is trivial things. I know keeping on sewing is really helping me.
I love this! Camel coats always look so chic
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Thank you! It’s a great pattern. I just noticed that you subscribed to the blog (thank you), but it’s the older version of the blog. If you are on desktop, scroll down to the bottom of the page and there is a subscribe on WordPress button, to make sure you are getting all the right updates.
For a clean closure I just use magnets, sewn into tiny net pockets in the facings.
Please test first if your magnets are a fit for your garment/fabric/nr of layers (power vs weight/thickness). Too strong or too light won’t work.
Like here: http://multivroon.blogspot.com/2015/04/april-anders-5-een-gek-roze-jasje.html?m=1