I need your help!
I snagged this wool coat for 49-cents a few months ago, even though I wasn’t sure what exactly I had in mind for it.
Kinda ugly
I thought the buttons alone would be worth the 49-cents…I mean, come on, new buttons are stinkin’ expensive, ya’ know?
The problem is, I still don’t really have a vision for it. I guess I could always just cut it up and make several projects out of it.
Like these…(which were also made out of cut up wool sweaters or blazers or coats)…
Felted wool mittens
Kids’ hats
This one used to be an American Eagle sweater
Here’s one of the many satchels I’ve made using felted wool sweaters and blazers
(unfortunately I didn’t think to get pictures of all of the other ones I’ve given away)
A closer look
View of the back
I’ve also made several scarves, headwarmers, and coasters out of felted wool. (unfortunately I didn’t get any pics of the scarves or headwarmers).
Anyway, back to the coat…
Take a look at the only tag it contained.
Union made
Made in the U.S.A. wouldn’t you know!
Look! It has a removable liner!
That’s a really long zipper that could possibly be repurposed for something else.
Here’s a close up of the material.
I know that I could probably make this coat into any one (or all) of the things pictured above, but I was wondering if it might be cute refashioned into a garment of some sort.
I thought that before I started chopping away at it, I’d ask you all for your valued opinions.
What do you think I should turn this coat into? Help me out of this rut! 🙂
~Jen
By the way, you should pay a visit to Beth, The Renegade Seamstress over at Chic Envelopements. She is amazing when it comes to refashioning! She has tons of tutorials on her blog that are very easy to follow. Go check out her awesome blog! 😉
Diary of a MadMama 
…I do like this coat! I think it’s got character. The only thing I’d change is the buttons!
Thanks Dorine! I have 5 wool coats currently, and I’m not a big fan of the color of this one. But I have considered leaving it as a coat but changing up the style a bit. Thanks for your comment!
~Jen
Out of curiosity, what kind of buttons would you suggest?
Depending on the fit what about a jacket – perhaps a bit fitted with a belt? The collar is interesting but the buttons do nothing for it. I’d suggest black with some texture to pick up on the fabric itself. You could add a cuff to the sleeve and then a button.
With the leftover material I’d make a laptop case – the fabric looks study and neutral.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Thank you so much. I love your ideas! I liked the funky buttons of the coat, but agree they don’t go with the coat itself. I love the idea of black buttons with it. Great ideas! Thanks! 🙂
~Jen
I was thinking the same thing – taken in a little and a belt added with the extra fabric? And different buttons. Maybe even dyed a little darker if you don’t like the fabric.
I was thinking about dying it, but I’m not sure how well it would take to dye, or what color to try. Thanks for your comment! 🙂
~Jen
I would try a handbag or floor pillow myself. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Great ideas! Thanks you! 🙂
~Jen
I absolutely love this coat! I got an ugly wool union made coat at a thrift store once too! Here is what I did to it – http://beingzhenya.com/2012/12/01/refashioned-vintage-coat/
Hope this gives you some ideas!
Also what size is the coat?
Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
Awesome refashion Zhenya! I actually liked your before pic too. I didn’t think it looked ugly at all. The finished look was still much better though. I’m a little worried about shortening my coat too, because it is so thick and I’m hoping not to wreck my sewing machine, or go through a ton of needles in the process!
I was so nervous shortening it, but your coat seems a little thicker, and the inside zip on lining makes it more difficult! And I definitely understand the fear of wrecking the sewing machine!
I actually like the fabric of the coat. The collar is pretty cool, too. I have two ideas for it.
1. you could make a girls coat from it, saving the collar, resizing it, and replacing the lining with some fun bright fabric. I found a picture of the little girl’s coat I made from a big ugly green coat. Here’s the link: http://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/and-the-winner-is/
OR
2. make it a tad bit more fitted with an empire waist but keeping the retro collar
Thanks Beth.
What an adorable coat and hat! Thanks for sharing the pic!
I love both of your ideas. Thank you!
I’ve never refashioned a coat before. Well I guess actually I have, if you count the satchels and what not, but never where it remained a garment! So that’s a bit intimidating.
I’ve gotten a lot of great advice/ideas from everyone so far, and I think I’ll do some more research on other coat refashions to get up the courage before making that first cut!
I’ll definitely keep you posted with my progress! 🙂
Thanks so much for your input! 🙂
~Jen
I think the coat’s pretty cool int he before pic. Maybe you can shorten it, make it fitted and add a bow at the back with the excess material. You could mix and match fabrics from 2 different wool coats too.
Or do something like this: http://cdn.is.bluefly.com/mgen/Bluefly/eqzoom85.ms?img=301710201.pct&outputx=340&outputy=408&level=1&ver=1
Oh my goodness! I love the coat in that picture! Thank you for sharing the link! 🙂
~Jen
Another refashion the coat as a coat suggestion, but I think it would look great as a motorcycle-style jacket. http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/larissa
And skip trying to keep the lining; I think it may make a great bag or purse on its own. Maybe you could even incorpate the zipper on both the motorcycle jacket and the purse trim.
Looking forward to seeing what you do!
Oh wow, that’s really cool! Thanks for sharing the link! I am getting a ton of ideas from everyone, and I love all the pictures you all are sharing. It’s really helping me to get some great inspiration. I’ll keep you all posted of my progress with it. This is definitely going to be a little out of my element. I’m used to much quicker refashions, but I like a good challenge now and then! 🙂 Thanks!
~Jen
http://kissmeunderthepinkblossomtree.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/the-sunshine-award
Talent OMG
Wow, what a sweet thing to say! Thanks for checking out my blog! 🙂
~Jen
Oh, nice find! I would remove the collar and cut a half round from shoulder to shoulder, then replace with a complimentary fabric. Perhaps black, then exchange the buttons for something a bit fancy if you like to dress up. Or maybe a fuchsia if you want the coat for casual wear.
Great ideas Christine! Thank you! I love fuchsia! Thanks for stopping by and helping me out! 🙂
~Jen
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Okay, so I really like this coat too. I am a big fan of vintage “nona’ coats. Sure wish that I could find anything for 49 cents. American thrift stores appear to be a lot “thriftier” than Canadian…lol! Especially in the city I live in. Vintage and re-cycle is all the rage here and it drives the thrift store prices up! I was thrilled to recently get a Jacob coat for fifteen dollars. And then twenty to get in dry cleaned.
I think that it is the shape that you need to change to make yourself happy with this. You can’t really do anything about the material and honestly it’s not bad at all. Some big black buttons would be great, the liner has to go! The zipper attached to the body of the coat will be a pain. I would suggest leaving it alone and taking the coat in from the back to give it shape.
I re-did a wool jacket by cutting the lining away at the bottom and leaving it attached at the top. Re-seamed to take it in and then re-attached the lining. Look forward to seeing what you do!
Thanks so much for all of your tips! I can definitely use them! I would love to see before and after pics of your coat refashion if you have them! I have some great ideas thanks to all of you awesome commenters out there. I’m just hoping that I can make the coat look the way it looks in my head! 🙂 Stay tuned…
~Jen
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I actually really like that coat. I’d totally wear it as is, maybe with pink leather gloves. The collar is really interesting. I adore those vintagey buttons.
Thanks! I repurposed one of the buttons in my necktie refashion.
oh, it’s look beautiful and lovely
Thank you! 🙂