Alright, buckle up, because I’m about to spill all the tea on how I made this killer ladies leopard print coat. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, let me tell you!
So, it all started with this crazy idea. I’ve always loved leopard print, and I thought, “Why not make a coat?” Found some seriously eye-catching faux leopard fur online. Snapped it up quick!
First things first: the pattern. I tried drafting my own at first. Big mistake! Ended up looking like a deflated balloon. I swallowed my pride and bought a simple coat pattern. Modified it a bit to be more oversized, you know, for that “I just threw this on” vibe.
- Cutting the fabric: This was scary! That fur was slippery as all get-out. I used a rotary cutter and pattern weights to keep everything in place. Cut each piece one at a time, making sure the nap of the fur was going the right way.
- Sewing the thing: Oh boy, this was a challenge. The fur kept getting caught in the sewing machine. I switched to a walking foot – game changer! Seriously, if you’re working with fur, get yourself a walking foot. The seams were bulky, so I trimmed them down as much as possible.
Lining time! I picked a silky black lining. It felt so luxurious against the fur. I sewed the lining separately and then attached it to the coat, turning everything right side out. Gave it a good press – carefully, with a pressing cloth!
Buttons and buttonholes: I went with some big, chunky black buttons. They added a nice contrast to the print. Making buttonholes in that fur? Nightmare! I reinforced the area with interfacing first, and then went super slow. Still managed to mess up one, but hey, that’s what seam rippers are for!
The finishing touches: I added some shoulder pads to give the coat some structure. Hemmed the sleeves and the bottom. Gave the whole thing a final press. And there it was, my very own leopard print coat!
It wasn’t perfect, but I was so proud of myself. I learned a ton along the way. Working with fur is definitely not for the faint of heart, but the end result is so worth it. I get compliments every time I wear it. Plus, it’s warm as heck. Total win!
Would I do it again? Probably. But next time, I’m investing in a better sewing machine and maybe taking a fur sewing class. Live and learn, right?
