Remember my post on the making of a raincoat pattern? Well, the raincoat is made and I’m quite pleased with it! Followers on Instagram may recognise this photo taken in London, where the coat got its inaugural outing.
The sculpture is called “Still Water” and represents a drinking horse. It is 10m tall – isn’t it stunning? Right, enough of the sculpture, this is about my raincoat! Clearly it’s sunny, so the raincoat couldn’t prove that it could do its job of keeping me dry, but I sealed all the seams, so at this point I am assuming the best.
Coat and I had a lovely time kicking through the falling leaves in Hyde Park, as well as trying to catch them.
Mark took these photos and although the leaves were falling everywhere, they didn’t fall on me, but on him!
We also had a little outing to Trafalgar Square where I found this thumb (entitled Really Good). The thumb is part of a series of sculptures that are installed on the plinth. When we were here in January, there was a skeletal horse there, so I was pleased to see another one.
It was drizzling slightly so I was pleased to press the hood into action. Below is probably a better shot of the coat.
Just a few notes on making this coat: As per the previous post, I used ripstop from Spotlight, and lined it with red silk from Sri Lanka, which was an almost perfect match. I used a hidden button placket, and employed snaps to secure the fronts together.
An in-progress shot showing the welt pocket with flap.
the coat has two side vents which are also secured with snaps. 
Showing the pocket. I also used Seam Grip to seal all the seams, but it was a bit of a disaster as it bled through the fabric creating some dark spots, which are visible in the seam next to the pocket. I am pretending that it’s not there! 
I was a bit freaked out making this coat as I had read that you shouldn’t press waterproof fabric as it removes the waterproofing. Do you know how much you long to use an iron when you can’t?! I took it off to my pattern-making class and Sarah held my hand whilst I pressed essential bits. We did some test samples which we threw water at, but which seemed to maintain its waterproofing properties, so I think I’m going to be ok!
Given that this was a self-drafted pattern with no construction notes, I was pleased with the way it came together. I am planning on making at least one (maybe two) more, and am going to make a couple of minor tweaks, such as lengthening the back of the storm flap.
And now back to Hyde Park where I was admiring the gorgeous autumn colours.
