I have never seen a Stokx Stadtmantel I haven’t immediately loved, so have been desperate to add one to my wardrobe for at least a year. I had a lot of trouble printing the pattern, so the lovely Lindy of Stokx Patterns sent me a hard copy all the way from Berlin. So generous! So kind!
I chose my fabric, a piece of wool from Knitwit Fabrics, which worried me a little as it didn’t have a huge amount of stretch, and I didn’t have enough fabric so was going to need to shorten the pattern by a lot. I procrastinated and procrastinated, mainly because tracing the pattern was giving me eyestrain, but also the thought of three different fabrics – the main fabric, a lining fabric and a facing fabric, was sending me down the path of indecision. I also fall between a size 2 and size 3 and was therefore worried about the sizing. Basically I was worried about everything! In the end I cut the paper pattern in a size 3, laid it on the fabric, took a deep breath and began cutting. I found some denim leftover from covering my sofas, and a piece of striped cotton given to me by my friend Jenny.
Once I began I didn’t want to stop – I have a few patterns that give me joy to make and this one is added to the list. It was interesting and so cleverly engineered that I loved every step (except the inevitable unpicking!).
I have worn the coat three times already and enjoy it more each time, and feel as though the size is perfect.
Worn here with my corduroy Stokx Square Pants, whilst waiting for a friend.
Then I again teamed it with the corduroy square pants but added the Tauko Louvre Beret designed and made by Liz Haywood. It makes a perfect dog walking coat.
I took it down south with me and it was perfect for the beautiful but blustery weather.
Tucked up in a coffee shop.
Playing on a suspension bridge. Have I mentioned how much I like the shape of this coat? Wearing it here with my Stokx Play Pants made from old jeans.
The coat has a slight A-line but with a bit of swish to it even though my fabric is quite thick.
This coat can be dressed up or down and I look forward to wearing it somewhere more fancy, although I do feel that nothing is fancier than a lovely forest walk near a lake.
A close up of my facing and the snaps that I used. I bought these in Iceland in 2015 so it’s nice to have used them, although I still have two other sets in different colours.
I mentioned that the sleeves are lined with yet another fabric and they have denim cuff facings. I thought I should put them on display for your enjoyment!
I found a couple of moth holes after I cut the coat out, so I used soap to mark them and then needle felted a tiny scrap over the top of each. After a good steam I can’t find either mend.
I absolutely adore the style lines on this coat. Some of them are created by darts, but there is also top stitching which holds down the back facing, which folds around to the front. The facing is denim and I think you can see that my join at the facing crossover just missed the centre back seam. By the way, how lovely is that facing with the crossover? So clever!
This meant that my stitching lines on the right side of the coat were slightly off centre, which I couldn’t live with. There is also a little flaw in the fabric which needed fixing.
I had two choices; I could unpick it all, or I could disguise it. I had already cut out a heart and was pondering where to put it, and here was the decision made for me!
and the full view of the back, I love the appliquéd heart hiding the crime!
The heart is to promote women’s heart health. Some of my friends are beginning to notice the hearts, which happily starts a discussion.
The back of this coat brings me so much pleasure.
As mentioned, the stitching line for the facing wraps around to the front and I love those two stitching lines.
I so enjoy wearing this coat and wish it was cold enough to justify immediately making another, although I do have some more wool fabric…
I thought you’d like to see Miss G decorating her new bedroom, and yes, it’s got a pink wall!
She also tried her hand at tiling, and wearing her ballet costume and a shoulder bag whilst doing so is definitely de rigueur!
There is a very flattering cut to this coat pattern. Looks fabulous on you. I applaud your recycling of fabrics.
Thank you so much. I adore this pattern and love the silhouette. It’s also a lot of fun to make.
These are great pictures and coat is really beautiful. The outfit looks very elegant even out in the woods. you did great work with this coat, I’m just a little bit jealous..😉
And that little girl is growing up so quickly.
Best wishes
Jeannine
Thank you Jeannine, as always I really appreciate your comment. I truly love this coat and am contriving to wear it a lot before the weather turns hot. And yes, G is four now and is great company.
Your coat is really lovely and congratulations for getting the nerve to do this project. I have some coat patterns and wool fabric – but so far lack the nerve to start! Also, when I do start a coat I’ll have to make a muslin, as I do with most new patterns. Did you do that as well?
Marjorie
I’m so lazy I never make a muslin. It takes me ages to make that first cut and then I enjoy the process. If the fit of something is a bit off I either try to fix it (I have completed deconstructed garments) or I donate it. I have more fabric than I know what to do with, so I don’t stress too much. I would suggest just starting. Be brave!
In terms of patterns purchasing I love European patterns but the cost to me in North America is prohibitive. That’s OK tho’ as I can still drool over the Stoxx site and others.
Your coat is wonderful – from fabric choice to execution. I look forward to every post even when it says it comes from a site called “kidney nutrition” – many thanks to WordPress and I can’t get them to do a thing about it.! If I didn’t enjoy it so much, I’d cancel but not only would I miss your work but also photos of Miss G. She is growing so fast as little ones do!
Cheers, and keep up the great work.
I don’t buy too many either but I save up for these. My website shows as kidney nutrition? I’ll see what I can do at this end. Many thanks for the lovely comment.
Yes, unfortunately you WordPress thinks your site is called kidney nutrition. I’m missed some posts because of this. I won’t subscribe to anything now on WordPress as I have had a few sites called kidney nutrition. They wouldn’t do a thing for me so thanks for doing how they will respond to you. Please let me know. Many thanks, Mary
Really lovely coat — well done! Like you, I adore the back seaming. I looked it up on the Stokx website and was perplexed to see a totally different back with traditional seaming. Are there different versions of this coat? I didn’t see anything else on their website that looked like it.
I looked it up and was confused too, then I remembered that it’s topstitching not seaming! It doesn’t seem to show up but the instructions do say to stitch the facing down. It’s a two part facing with an unusual shape.