A coat can be used as a dress or as a costume. This is a fairly plain garment that has been used for centuries for warmth, or to enhance an appearance. From the Red Riding Hood to the catwalk, a coat looks great. This article tells you several ways to make a basic coat in a variety of styles.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Simple Coat 1: Poncho
These coats are simple and can be made from things you probably already have in your home. This coat is not opened from the front, but is opened from the side. It is also known as a “poncho” but is still recognized as a type of coat
Step 1. Find the right material
Use blankets, sheets or other suitable clothing material. It should be big enough to cover your torso and shoulders.
Step 2. Cut the clothes into squares or rectangles
Sew between the ends to prevent fraying, if desired.
Step 3. Fold the square or rectangle in half
Find the center of the top of the folded fabric, where it will be the hole for the head. Mark with fabric marker
Step 4. Cut the neck/head hole
There are 2 ways to do it:
- Very simple: just need to cut straight across the fabric
- Simple: Draw a semicircle with a fabric marker. Cut a half circle. (Will be a full circle when viewed from 2 sides)
Step 5. Sew around the cut hole, so it doesn't fray
Simple stitches like quilt stitch will suffice.
To make it more beautiful, sew a webbing around the hole
Step 6. Beautify the coat
You can add a fringe, plaits or other embellishments to the base of the coat to make it more beautiful. Or, you can just leave it at that. Finished!
A coat like this can be adapted to a variety of costumes, including medieval or ancient tunics, with easy additions like shortening the sleeves and adding a belt, etc
Method 2 of 6: Simple Coat 2: Large Scarf Coat
This coat is an easy and effective way as a fashion coat and costume coat. This coat features a large scarf that you would like to transform.
Step 1. Find a suitable large scarf
Cotton, rayon, silk, etc. are all great fabric choices, as long as you want the scarf to be turned into a coat.
Step 2. Fold the large scarf into a triangle
Step 3. Mark the center of the scarf with tailor's chalk or a fabric marker
Both sides of this mark measure 12.5 cm, so the total length is 25 cm.
Step 4. Cut a slit along the line
Use sharp scissors for a good cut. This is the front of the opening.
Step 5. Tie the gap so it doesn't fray
Use a running stitch. Add webbing if you wish.
Step 6. Make a hole on the wrong side of the end of the scarf
Tie so it doesn't fray.
Step 7. Cut a length of grosgrain ribbon about 115cm
Cut the ends of the ribbon in a diagonal or V shape, so they don't fray.
- Velvet tape can also be used
- Make sure the color of the ribbon complements the color of the scarf.
Step 8. Pull a long grosgrain ribbon through the hole at the end of the coat
This band will become a belt for the waist when this coat is worn.
Step 9. Finish by tying the ends of the scarf sections if needed
Adding webbing or ties will make the coat fit better, especially in strong winds, but isn't necessary if you're using it for a costume.
Method 3 of 6: Simple Coat 3: Shawl Coat
This type of coat is also simple. It is opened from the front, attached by a button or other fastening device at the collar of the neck.
Step 1. Find suitable materials
The material needs to be large enough to cover the wearer's body and shoulders.
Step 2. Measure the fabric and cut it into a rectangle
Sew the ends if needed.
Step 3. Sew a bunch of threads between the ends of the fabric sections
Finish with cross ties. The neckline can be made nicer with webbing, or other embellishments.
This step is a big change that makes this fabric a useful coat from a simple fabric. You can make it even nicer by sewing different layers on the coat, such as satin or a soft white fabric in an appropriate color
Step 4. Attach the clasps to the neck
This will ensure the coat can be covered. Clasps can be made or purchased.
If you make your own, sew 2 buttons and join them with a chain, cable or ribbon, wrapped around the buttons or sewn right under the buttons
Method 4 of 6: Intermediate Coat 1: The coat is attached to the shirt and extends all the way to the floor
This type of coat can be especially useful for costume events or plays where you don't want the coat to separate from the outfit. The length of the coat can vary according to need, from the waist to the ankles
Step 1. Choose the dress you want to pair with the coat
This can be a costume dress or a dress for the evening. It's generally better to wear a long dress, but you can use something else depending on your creativity and needs.
This coat can also be attached to a top if you wish
Step 2. Choose a suitable fabric for making the coat
You can choose the same fabric or color as the dress, or colors/textures that can complement each other, depending on the desired effect. Cut into rectangles.
Sew around the ends to prevent fraying, if needed
Step 3. Cut a piece of fabric to be the top of the coat
This should be longer than the size of the shirt you are wearing, as it can be cut even smaller once it is sewn. (better as long as possible)
Step 4. Gather the top of the rectangle:
- Use a skein of yarn to line the edges of the rectangle (the hem you've selected as the top of the coat) to match the width of the garment.
- Attach the rectangles together with the previously cut pieces of fabric.
Step 5. Attach the coat to the garment
Sew the coat part to the garment just below the collar of the garment. Sew through the ties.
For dresses with an open back, it is recommended that you sew the coat on only one shoulder. The other part is better fitted with Velcro or snap buttons, to make removing the back of the dress much easier
Method 5 of 6: Intermediate Coat 2: Roman rectangle and ribbon coat
It's also the kind of coat that's easy to understand, it's great for plays, parties and pretending you're Roman. Of course, it can also be used as a regular coat and it's also an ideal coat to make quickly if you have a rectangular fabric that has the edges already sewn like a sheet.
Step 1. Find a piece of fabric of a suitable color and length
You can use any type of fabric that you can sew easily and hang well.
Romanesque colors like red and purple are good choices but the color depends on the wearer, so any color is fine as long as it meets your needs
Step 2. Measure the user, child or adult
The coat needs to be all the way from the neck to the knees for the best effect.
For the width, the fabric needs to be as wide as the wearer but does not cover the body like other types of coats. Make it as wide as it fits outside the hand, that's enough
Step 3. Using the measurements, cut the fabric into rectangles
(if not rectangle)
Step 4. Press the bottom edge all around the coat
Press at least 1 cm. Then press down again, the same width as before.
Step 5. Machine sew or sew the pressed ends around the coat yourself
Step 6. Sew 2 ribbons on the neck
This will be the top of the coat. Fold the ends of the ribbon under for a neat result.
Other neck pins can be used if you wish, but ribbons are the easiest to add and use
Step 7. Done
Try wearing it.
Method 6 of 6: Upper Level Coat: Long coat of two parts
This is an ancient style coat and is often used by superheroes and the like in modern times. Cut from a circle large enough for the wearer, this will not cover the shoulders but the final length will ensure that the length will not detract from the look.
Step 1. Find a suitable wide fabric
Sheets, wide cloths, light blankets and similar items can be used. Measure the fabric to make sure it is wide enough and long enough for the wearer. The goal here is to form a mantle from the 2 halves of the semicircle, and combine them into one.
- For this pattern, it will be assumed that you are using a fabric without any pattern. So, it will be easy to combine
- If the fabric is not large enough, you will need to sew it larger first. You can make long coats out of smaller fabrics, but that's not part of this article.
Step 2. Iron the fabric before making the coat
Any creases will affect the appearance of the coat when it's finished.
Step 3. Unfold the fabric
Open it and lay it on a suitable flat surface to finish this.
Step 4. Measure the width of the fabric
This width will determine the center of each semicircle that you will draw on the fabric.
Step 5. Using the top left of the fabric and consider it to be part “A”, measure the length of the fabric of part A
Measure along from the width you measured in the previous step. Now this is the “B” section, which is the center of the semicircle that you will use to make this coat.
Step 6. Draw a semicircle
Thicken the line from the “B” section to make a semicircle in the fabric.
Step 7. Cut the semi-circle
Step 8. Place a semicircle on another piece of fabric as an example to cut this part
Cut the second half circle.
Step 9. Create a radius for the neck
Draw a small semicircle that will form the neckline, around the “B” section.
Step 10. Cut around the semicircle of the neckline
When cutting it, leave 2 cm for the rest of the seam
Step 11. Make the coat
Sew the two halves of the coat. If adding a neck collar, use cut sections of the same fabric.
- Sew around the ends to prevent fraying, if needed.
- Like other coats, this coat can be expanded with additional layers of contrasting colors. This can improve the appearance and warmth of the coat.
Tips
- If you don't have time to sew the hem of a coat for a party, you can usually use it only once. Sewing the ends of the coat strengthens the coat, so if you have time, sew the ends.
- It is often necessary to re-adjust once the coat is worn. A good tailor should be able to do it.
- Other types of coats include super hero coats and Red Riding Hood coats. This type of coat is entitled to instructions on how to make it yourself, and is not included in this section of this article.
Warning
If the coat is made for a small child, always make sure that the clip or tie used around the collar is secure and cannot suffocate. The same can be true for all users, except that older adults will obviously be able to remove it themselves if the neck strap is unsafe
What You Need
- Suitable fabric
- Invisible fabric markers or other fadeable or washable fabric markers
- Scissors (sharp, suitable for cutting fabric)
- Tape measure or ruler
- Thread and needle/sewing machine
