I’ve styled this coat several times on my instagram over the years! It’s a fave because it’s my first coat making project and I created the pattern myself.
If you’re interested in helpful links for self-drafting/sewing a coat, or working with suede fabric, I’ve linked them at the end of this post.
First, I’ll share the story of how this coat pattern came to be.
I waited two years for the Construction II – Draping/Patternmaking/Sewing class to be offered on Saturday! I worked full-time and I picked up my son from school in the evenings. My husband’s work schedule rotated every week, so even though classes were offered on weekdays, I couldn’t take them. In Spring 2015, it was finally available on Saturdays! It was a three hour class, and I had to make a sixth trip into Manhattan from Queens to take it.
The term project for this class was a completed jacket pattern and muslin sample. In my previous class, I created a basic bodice, skirt and dress pattern so a coat was the next level.
A month into the semester, I found out I was pregnant. It was a total surprise, but we were so happy. My only child was six at the time, and a second child was something we had on our mind.
In two weeks, we had a planned trip to visit my brother in Istanbul. I was feeling great, until I noticed spotting a couple days later. I started feeling unwell and scheduled a doctor appointment. Three days before our flight, on a Thursday, after a long commute home, I miscarried.
I was able to see my doctor Friday morning. Physically, I was fine and my doctor cleared me for travel. I was lucky it was early on, only six weeks in, and without other complications. I’ve personally known women with much more devastating pregnancy losses.
Since I felt physically fine and I had two planned absences for our trip, I went to class the next day, on Saturday. Once I arrived to class, I instantly regretted it. I suddenly had to take frequent bathroom visits and didn’t have the energy to stand to work on my drape. I remember explaining the whole situation to the instructor, because there was no simple way to say I came all the way to class and am now leaving after thirty minutes. She gave me a big five-second hug. It was an incredible gesture of kindness that I’ve cherished.
The event itself was minor compared to all the other events surrounding it: waiting two years for this Saturday Draping class, packing for our Istanbul trip, going to work everyday that week despite not feeling well, a snowstorm on Tuesday delaying my scheduled doctor appointment; then a bleary long Thursday evening commute, standing on the crowded bus ride from the Upper East Side to home, feeling strong cramps, yet embarrassed to ask for a seat.
Now, years afterwards, it’s strange how time has evolved that event to me. It was a tiny part of my life, overshadowed by our amazing time in Istanbul, a beautiful coat I created that I am continuously inspired by, and the birth of our daughter two years later.
I finished my term project in muslin fabric, and finally sewed the jacket in this blue suede months later. It took a while, but I finally finished what I started and I think about that to keep me going.
When I decided to wear The Blue Suede Coat this snowy January 2022 weekend, I only felt excitement. I dream of sewing other versions of this style!
Fabric
How to Care for a Suede Coat
How to Sew with Suede
I used Clotilde’s Sew Smart as a reference to make this coat. Use a leather needle, polyester thread, and extra wide seam allowances (at least one inch). It can press beautifully to make those sharp and tailored corners!
Thanks for reading!
-Ammara
ammaraza.sews 