Greetings from a dull, rainy London afternoon! I wanted to share some Minoru pics before the light dies completely but I certainly didn’t want to venture outside on such a horrible day. No, today should be solely reserved for blue cheese on biscuits, roast chicken and cups of sweet tea.
I dragged the husband outside the front door to take a few pics instead and am now back inside in slippers and dressing gown while he makes hot water bottles. Brrrr!
Pattern: Minoru by Sewaholic (Intermediate)
Difficulty rating for Stitchandwitter: 4.5 out of 5
Fabric and notions used: 2.5 metres of medium grey corduroy (£1.50/metre). 2 metres of royal blue polka dot satin (2.99/metre). Two zippers (one open ended and one standard) about £2 each. All in all, this coat came in at less than £30 even including the pattern!
Fitting issues: I found the original length to be much too long for my short frame so I shortened the length by 8 centimetres. I cut out a size 2 and other than adjusting the length I didn’t need to make any further changes. I added side seam pockets using Amy at Sew Well’s excellent tutorial, and left out the inside pockets.
Making issues: Tasia’s sewalong was a dream to follow. But thank god she did one because I’m not sure I would have had the skills just to follow the rather brief pattern instructions. The trickiest bit by far (funnily enough – when I went ahead of the sewalong) was sewing the casing for the elastic through the corduroy and the slippery lining. I got it really wrong and lopsided the first time, and the second time my lining ended up being pulled up by a few inches, meaning that I had just enough lining to tuck into the hem. I didn’t have the heart to unpick it again so I left it as it was, and added an extra line of topstitching at the hem to really secure the lining. Finally, I had interfaced one side of my collar so was disheartened to see that the interfacing side was visible when I had my hood out (likely to be the case all the time for me), so before I finished the lining I basted some leftover lining material onto the offending section – worked a treat.
Skills learned: Woah – this was a steep learning curve of a project! Adding elasticated cuffs, installing lining (only done before on a Beignet) – um… making a COAT!
Anything to add? I think if I were to make this again I’d reduce the height of the collar a smidgeon, and perhaps use better quality corduroy. As it stands I’m well chuffed with this though. I felt for the first time that I was perhaps moving out of being a beginner and into a more intermediate skillset. A pattern like this is perfect if you’re itching to try something more complicated but need extra support – the sewalong is a massive help.
That´s so cool! I love the color you chose. I can´t believe you found such good deal on your fabric. What a lovely front door you have!
Heheh thanks Silvia – the front door comment had me laughing – so sweet!
Aw you look so cute!! The jacket turned out awesome! Love the happy lining
Bravo on tackling your first coat – that’s a mountain I’ll be climbing later this year too 
Do it! So worth it for making you feel like you’re gaining ground and learning new stuff
It looks great – congratulations on a job well done! That striking polka dot lining will cheer up any dismal day!
Awesome jacket! I love the grey corduroy with the bright polka dot lining!
Looks bloody fantastic – well done! I bet you get lots of spring / autumn wear out of it. Really like the two fabrics together.
Oh it’s gorgeous Joanne – my favourite Minoru so far. You’re right, your skills have definitely moved up the sewometer about 20 notches on this make. It’s a fabulous achievement and looks 100% professional. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
By the way, we’ve been eating cheese and biscuits all day and are currently roasting a chicken too!! What else can you do on such a horrible day? x
Oh thanks Jane
Hahah great minds! Just finished eating mine and truly stuffed. Going to watch gorgeous Ryan Gosling in The Ides of March now… yum yum
That’s a great coat, I’m so impressed with all the Minoru examples popping up over the blogosphere. I especially like all the great use of lining to add a vivid pop of colour. I don’t think I’m anywhere near ready to try it although each cool example I see gets me a step closer! Maybe I’ll give it a shot for next winter….
Thanks Louise! Oh do – you won’t regret it. And the sewalong will be there when you’re ready to give it a go. Plus everyone’s experiences and tips!
Oh Joanne, this may be my favourite Minoru to date! I love the colour, the fact that it’s corduroy and the cute lining! I’ve temporarily put aside my Minoru plans, but I’m so pleased that the sewalong will be online forever…I don’t think this is a pattern I could tackle alone either!
Thanks Marie! Corduroy is sadly not waterproof but looking forward to wearing it when the weather dries up a bit
I love the lining fabric, and the jacket looks great. I just finished mine as well, and definitely found sewing the elastic casing for the waist to be a little tricky – I’ll definitely be watching to see how Tasia handles it so that it’ll be easier next time.
Ooh I’m glad it wasn’t just me Mika! I wonder if she’ll baste/pin it first maybe…? I got impatient and just wanted to finish it!
Oh I love, love, love this version! I actually prefer this one to the sample on the Sewaholic page! But without her pattern I wouldn’t be able to see your lovely jacket.
MASSIVE polka dots!
That looks really great, Joanne!
It’s gorgeous! And how much of a bargain?! Yay for you, particularly for getting photos done; I failed spectacularly on that front!
Super lovely. Well done! Wow, your fashion fabric was actually cheaper than your lining fabric. It looks great, you must be so proud of yourself. Onward sand upwards!
I need to get some polkadot lining. I’m going to be making my mom a cape here pretty soon, and I think it would be so cute with polkadots on the inside. (Actually, I’ll have to ask her first whether she also thinks it would be cute with polkadots on the inside!) Anyway, I love your Minoru! I can’t believe you started late but finished early! Hurrah! I decided this week that I would also skip ahead of the Sew-Along and finish up my Minoru. I love it! I’ll make time to post it this week. Next time I’ll have to consider corduroy though… I love how it looks on you!
Fantastic! I’m inspired to move my skills along as well.
It looks fantastic, well done!
It looks great! The blue polka dot lining is so cheery and it looks like a nice easy jacket to throw on.
I’ve seen a few Minoru’s in the blogosphere, but yours is the first one the makes me want to jump on the bandwagon. I love the colour, the side pockets, the fact that you used corduroy and the awesome polka-dot details – well done!
This is absolutely gorgeous– you look so cute in it! The corduroy and polka dots are so adorable, and it especially looks nice with your stripey top and blue trousers! You go, girl!
Fantastico! Really really great coat – well done you! Love the ‘flasher’ style photo…spots and stripes, two of my favs!
Ha ha, your first comment from Sewing Princess made me laugh out loud! I’ve got total ‘front door’ envy at the moment because my porch and front door have been painted in grey primer all over the winter. I must admit after I admired your gorgeous coat, I thought ooh look at at that lovely red door!!
Adorable! That seal corduroy looks deliciously snuggly. Mine’s done too just waiting on a ray of sunshine and a spare pair of hands to photograph it!
I love this Minoru! Great choice on the corduroy and love love love the spotty lining!
Thank you so much!
Yours looks really good! I love the bright lining in contrast to the grey. I’m sure the corduroy makes the jacket a bit warmer without it being much heavier. Great job!
Thank you – I love yours too!
Lovely! The bright blue goes really well with the grey cord
Very nice. I especiallly like the lining. Great job!
Another Minoru in corduroy…yea!! Your jacket is wonderful and I would love to see it in person.
Thanks Mary! It’s an awesome fabric to do the coat in isn’t it? I love your red version with the cheeky leopard print lining – really lovely
Oh I love your version! The lining is seriously a happy surprise. It’s perfect to cheer up a dreary day.
Like you, I felt this project (with the help of the sew along) really helped me hone my sewing skills. I may possibly be able to call myself intermediate now rather than a beginner. That feels good
Hooray Sophia it’s a great feeling and it really does give you more confidence to try more complicated projects doesn’t it?
Love your jacket. Where did you get the lining as have been hunting for something like this in red or pink. Thanks
Thanks Lynda! I got the lining from Online Fabrics and it was just £2.99 a metre!
Thanks for that Joanne. Could you please let me know the name of the website.
Oh sorry Lynda it’s http://www.online-fabrics.co.uk/
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your coat looks fabulous.
I just discovered sewaholic recently and ordered the minoru pattern, I can’t wait to get started on it, especially seeing all the wonderful coats everyone has made, it is so inspiring!