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I've found that thrift Stores are overrun with over sized wool coats. If you buy a brand new heavyweight wool coat they can run anywhere from $100-$300+. I bought this wool coat for $7.50 at the Community Aid store. See bottom pic for before photo.
All I did to change this coat was shorten the length, take in the sides and used the extra material I cut off the bottom to make a ruffle which I then sewed into the placket. I also changed the buttons which looked a little dated.
I was inspired by this modcloth jacket. There are so many ideas you could do with wool coats and ruffles. Quote from Carol Bishop Hipps.
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56 {comments}:
This post is fantastic!
Could you post steps to how you remade the coat? I don't even need ruffle details...just how you refitted the bust and back, and your able to sew it with a household machine!
Dominique
Cute, cute, cute! Almost makes me wish I weren't about to endure a Southern California winter...almost. ;)
~Erin~
Oh, I love the ruffle! It looks great. :)
THis is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!
This is gorgeous! Can you give details how you took in the coat and added ruffle?
Was this a lined coat? How did you deal with the lining and the hem and all that? I have been intimidated about trying to remake a lined garment, but gosh, how fabulous would it be to be able to make a coat like this from something in the thrift store!
What a gorgeous coat! I love the ruffle. Actually, when I saw the first picture, I was thinking "I saw that exact same coat--red, with a ruffle like that--at a sears outlet", but it was child-sized. It is a great colour for you.
I second the request for steps on taking in the coat. I've been hanging on to a coat my aunt gave me for years in hopes that one day I'd figure out how to take it in myself. Thanks!
I LOVE it!!
That's very pretty!
I like your version better than the inspiration piece! Great job!
What a fantastic coat! I'd love to tailor one myself- if it is lined, did you remove and tailor the lining as well?
Same questions as Dominique. :)
LOVE it! I want one.
I just said out loud, "You have to be kidding me." Cutest jacket ever!!!!!!!!!
WOW! That is impressive! Great job!!! Keep the good ideas coming ;)
Unfortunately I didn't take any photos while I was making this. BUT I will try to write a post explaining what I did.
Also, as far as the lining, the jacket did have lining. I sewed this the quick and dirty way. The inside on the sides are pretty ugly on the inside. But I got the job done and honestly, with thrift store clothes I don't really care what it looks like on the inside.
I can show you what I did if you don't mind having a messy interior.
I can't stand it --that coat is terrific!! You are so talented! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Such a great idea! I have been wanting a short wool coat, and this is a great way to get one for a bit cheaper! Thanks!
You have magic fingers.
You are stinking AMAZING!!!!!!
This is so cute! Fabulous job. If it wasn't still so hot where I live, this would have inspired me to get on the ball with outerwear construction.
I -
LOVE -
this
COAT!!
Can you do a "how-to" regarding the type of needle and machine setting you used, as well as how you did the ruffle? I think I might go out and find myself a coat and do this ASAP!
I love this with a thousand love units!
I'd love to see how you did this. I love wool coats but they're always too small in the hips and wide in the shoulder for me. Thanks!
you are incredible.
OMG this is my favorite thing ever!!! I have to go look tomorrow!!
Um, this is entirely fabulous.
This coat rocks! I love the ruffle.
Love it! Can one of the Technique Tuesdays be about sewing with wool on a regular machine?
i wish it were cold here- it was over 100 today. yikes. super cute coat. how does your machine handle the wool/thick stuff?
Awesome makeover!!! You're very inspiring... maybe I'll go to the thrift store tomorrow and try my hand.
Oh boy! Oh boy! Thank you so much for this. I am on the search for wool coat, but then of course like you said thrift stores seem to be overrun by large coats and nothing would fit me. Hmmm... Now this gives me hope of finding that right wool coat for me to keep me warm during cold, cold days. Thank you so much!
Love this! I have an ankle length coat like this from the 80s that would be perfect for a transformation like this! Thanks for showing how it can be made so cute!
This is fantastic! I'd love to see the inside even if it's a little messy. I'm intimidated to touch lined garments too... Why type of needle did you use to sew through thick wool and so many layers?
Very nicely done!
You are amazing! Thursdays are my favorites. Your creativity just astounds me!
dang, girl, you sure are creative!!! you really have a great eye for finding something ordinary then reinventing it into something fabulous! how do you do it? thanks so much for the inspiration! i really love your blog!
dyna
You are a genius , I love this idea.
is really really beautiful!!!!
i wish i didn't live in florida sometimes! i love coats!!!
You have given me the BEST idea for my oversized trench that I have in my closet! It's so long that I can add a ruffle and make a bag with the cut material.
I love this coat! it looks so girlie!
This is so gorgeous! You have really inspired me to go thrift shopping for a coat, especially since I am about to endure my first Michigan winter. What I am wondering about it how you fitted the shoulders.
This might be my favorite Thrift Store Thursday so far. It has such a completely different (and adorable!) look from the original. Love it!
Your thrift store re-makes are incredible!!! I was hoping you could lend some advice -- I have an old-school wool pea coat, black. Super masculine, super heavy -- do you have any idvice on how to make it feel more feminine?
you are so awesome! This is absolutley amazing
Love! I must find me a red coat!
beautiful! I think yours looks better than modcloth's
Kathleen, I made a little tutorial on my blog about the process i went through to make a coat similar to yours (because you're a trend setter!) with photos :)
http://spiritedshannon.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-alter-wool-coat.html
I actually would also love to see how you refitted the coat. I'm always afraid to do coats due to the thickness and lining.
That is just fabulous!!!!
I love it!
i want your coat. It's DARLING. What a great makeover. Beautiful photos and cute graphics. Love it Kathleen!
I LOVE this idea SO much that I took an old coat out of my closet that I didnt like and I did it myself! It is super cute and I actually like my coat now. I posted it to my blog and I hope you dont mind but I mentioned that I got the idea from you and I even linked to your blog! You can see my version of this make over at my blog www.recreateclothing.blogspot.com
Guys wearing best dress like overcoat is so much fun also your look make more presentable and elegant.
I love this! I agree ... I see them all the time! Will you post a tutorial? I want to make this!!
Hi...amazing work on this pea coat...i have a similar one in black..i'm thinking of altering the length of the coat...but,my coat has a slit at the back...while altering the length, what to do with the slit??can u please help me???
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