Thrift Store Thursday: The Bittersweet October Overcoat

September 30, 2010

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}:

Andromache said... Best Blogger Tips

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

Erin said... Best Blogger Tips

Cute, cute, cute! Almost makes me wish I weren't about to endure a Southern California winter...almost. ;)

~Erin~

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, I love the ruffle! It looks great. :)

KelsyC said... Best Blogger Tips

THis is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

This is gorgeous! Can you give details how you took in the coat and added ruffle?

Julia said... Best Blogger Tips

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!

Jo said... Best Blogger Tips

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.

maschmidt121 said... Best Blogger Tips

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!

Sarah said... Best Blogger Tips

I LOVE it!!

Michelle said... Best Blogger Tips

That's very pretty!

Maryissewfast said... Best Blogger Tips

I like your version better than the inspiration piece! Great job!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

What a fantastic coat! I'd love to tailor one myself- if it is lined, did you remove and tailor the lining as well?

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

Same questions as Dominique. :)

LOVE it! I want one.

kelliemorgan said... Best Blogger Tips

I just said out loud, "You have to be kidding me." Cutest jacket ever!!!!!!!!!

Jenn A said... Best Blogger Tips

WOW! That is impressive! Great job!!! Keep the good ideas coming ;)

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

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.

Colleen said... Best Blogger Tips

I can't stand it --that coat is terrific!! You are so talented! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Katie said... Best Blogger Tips

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!

Popbabe7 said... Best Blogger Tips

You have magic fingers.

Marian and Sadie said... Best Blogger Tips

You are stinking AMAZING!!!!!!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

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.

Laura said... Best Blogger Tips

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!

Kelly said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this with a thousand love units!

Julia said... Best Blogger Tips

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!

Jodie said... Best Blogger Tips

you are incredible.

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

OMG this is my favorite thing ever!!! I have to go look tomorrow!!

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

Um, this is entirely fabulous.

Monica said... Best Blogger Tips

This coat rocks! I love the ruffle.

Katydid said... Best Blogger Tips

Love it! Can one of the Technique Tuesdays be about sewing with wool on a regular machine?

Ella A. said... Best Blogger Tips

i wish it were cold here- it was over 100 today. yikes. super cute coat. how does your machine handle the wool/thick stuff?

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Awesome makeover!!! You're very inspiring... maybe I'll go to the thrift store tomorrow and try my hand.

mommy Orkid Belle said... Best Blogger Tips

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!

opportunityknits said... Best Blogger Tips

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!

Jessica said... Best Blogger Tips

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!

Shirley said... Best Blogger Tips

You are amazing! Thursdays are my favorites. Your creativity just astounds me!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

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

Lisa said... Best Blogger Tips

You are a genius , I love this idea.

Sandra Toro said... Best Blogger Tips

is really really beautiful!!!!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

i wish i didn't live in florida sometimes! i love coats!!!

Joi said... Best Blogger Tips

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.

the doll house said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this coat! it looks so girlie!

Gaidig said... Best Blogger Tips

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.

Rachel said... Best Blogger Tips

This might be my favorite Thrift Store Thursday so far. It has such a completely different (and adorable!) look from the original. Love it!

Jack said... Best Blogger Tips

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?

Lana Lulu Handmade said... Best Blogger Tips

you are so awesome! This is absolutley amazing

Hanna said... Best Blogger Tips

Love! I must find me a red coat!

JBalloon said... Best Blogger Tips

beautiful! I think yours looks better than modcloth's

Björek said... Best Blogger Tips

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

Lori said... Best Blogger Tips

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.

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

That is just fabulous!!!!

Gabby Malcuit said... Best Blogger Tips

I love it!

dana said... Best Blogger Tips

i want your coat. It's DARLING. What a great makeover. Beautiful photos and cute graphics. Love it Kathleen!

Kari Hardy said... Best Blogger Tips

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

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Guys wearing best dress like overcoat is so much fun also your look make more presentable and elegant.

carol said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this! I agree ... I see them all the time! Will you post a tutorial? I want to make this!!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

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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