Brown Mysaria Wrap Coat By Vikisews

This sewing project was one of those longer, slower ones that needed concentration and focus. So I’m excited to share with you my brown Mysaria wrap coat by Vikisews.

Around the start of the year, I’d been seeing quite a few longer wrap-style coats on Instagram, Pinterest and retail websites, and an idea started to percolate in my brain which rapidly turned into a bit of an obsessive need to get sewing a new coat. I began browsing a few patterns online, and I whittled them down to 3. There was the Traveller Coat by Bella Loves Patterns, and from Vikisews, I liked the Martina or Mysaria. In the end, I went with the Mysaria after seeing it worn by one of the Instagrammers I follow.

What I love about this design is the generous collar and the shaped raglan sleeves. The wrapover is substantial, and you can add buttons or snaps at the waistline, or go without any closure at all if you prefer. I chose a size S based on my measurements and height range 2.

It was fairly easy to pick a pattern, but the fabric? Not so much. I found one lovely coating that I got all excited about, only to be emailed the next day and told there was unfortunately insufficient stock (I needed 3.5m). So I went back to square one and started looking again. I ended up on Etsy and found this wool/cashmere blend from Fabric Turkey Shop. The delivery was incredibly speedy and very reasonably priced too, and of course I’m really pleased with the fabric.

I made a full toile for my coat. I think for an intensive project like a coat, it’s a must, and I’m actually making more toiles for smaller projects lately, too. I feel like it takes the hit-and-miss out of sewing and makes the overall sewing-up experience more enjoyable.

I made several adjustments to my toile, which were as follows:

• Remove some width down the sleeves (they’re designed to be quite wide)
• Remove some width down the sides.
• Shorten the overall length by about 1 3/4″
• Shorten the sleeve by 3/4″
• Make my usual shoulder seam adjustment for my forward shoulders, raising the back neck a little at the same time.
• I moved the pocket placement over to match the amount I took in down the side seams.

I took my time to make accurate markings everywhere that was needed. Pockets, collar roll line, centre front, notches placement lines, etc. It took ages, but it’s so important and helps with accuracy. Interfacing and seam tape were ironed on in multiple places, too.

The main body of the coat isn’t interfaced all the way to the hem. I think if it were the coat would feel quite heavy to wear. Instead, it’s placed on the upper sleeve, upper back and upper front areas. The front facings are interfaced all over.

I loved the process of sewing the darts. They give shape to the upper chest area and run down behind the collar. You use strips of fabric that are sewn down the centre of the dart and down the dart seam itself. Here’s what it looks like on the inside. It adds lovely structure and stops unsightly ridges from showing on the front. Sewing the collar was enjoyable too. I found the instructions to be really thorough.

I found the pockets to be a bit more challenging to sew. There were quite a few steps involved, and it’s always pretty nerve-wracking because you’re actually cutting directly into your coat to attach them. I’m happy to report that hardly any swear words were uttered and no fortification with alcohol was needed afterwards…. 😉

As I was sewing, I did stray a bit from the instructions, which asked you to start sewing some of the lining into position before the rest of the coat was even a third done. I did understand why (it was mainly due to the process for sewing the back vent), but I felt rebellious and went my own way…hehe. It meant I had one short section of hand sewing the lining down the vent, but I figured it was a small price to pay for reducing the bulk of the coat as I was working on it. Anyone who’s sewn a coat knows all too well how heavy they are to handle on the sewing table.

Ooh, I almost forgot to mention the actual lining fabric that I used. It’s a lightweight printed polyester sateen. It’s very smooth and slippery to handle, and it also frays fairly easily, so to prevent my seam allowances from vanishing, I took the extra step of overlocking the edges. I adore the pattern though, isn’t it fab?

As you can see, I used two large antique brass snap fasteners at the waistline. With the belt as well, it’s enough to hold it closed.

I worked on my coat on and off over the course of about 10 days. It was really enjoyable, and I’d forgotten how lovely it is to sew a more intensive project. It’s just a pity that I didn’t get to it a bit sooner, as we’re starting to head out of coat weather time.

No doubt I’ll have some lighter-weight jackets on my to-sew list for the Spring and Summer, but for the moment, I think I’m all sorted for Winter coats. I’m so pleased with this one, though. Hope you like it too 🙂 Let me know if you’re still sewing winter clothes or if you’re already into Spring/Summer sewing (or into Winter for my southern hemisphere readers).

Thanks for stopping by for a read. See you soon!