I didn’t think it was possible to prouder of a project than I was when I sewed my Clare coat.

Posting this Kelly Anorak is definitely an “Iceberg Success Illusion.” What isn’t seen in these pictures is the twelve years of sewing (including three previous jackets), four months of ploddingly slow progress, hours spent researching the pattern and new techniques, muslins to check for fit, blood spilled by errant pins, and tears of frustration and fear that I would never finish because of the intensity of my family’s needs or from some stupid sewing mistake.

Not that this project isn’t achievable with someone who has less experience than I! Closet Case Patterns, as usual, has created a wonderful pattern and the accompanying sewalong smooths the way for those adventurous sewists that are up for a good challenge.

I’m just saying that victory is sweet, and consistent long-term effort makes it even sweeter.

I am proud of my flat-felled seams and underlining, which are both new techniques for me. I love how the Hong-Kong finishes and bias-bound seams contrast the plaid interior. (Also, they match my hat!) I was terrified of installing the spring snaps, but I managed them successfully, even without a fancy tabletop press. (Someday, I will have one of those beasts.)

So from the top of this iceberg, I can say. Yes, it was worth it.

Organic Cotton Plus Fabric Review

*Note: I was provided fabric for this review, and the following opinions are my own.*

I am grateful to Organic Cotton Plus for providing me with the double-ply organic cotton twill for this project for review. It is always such a pleasure to use good quality fabrics. Even more so, this project was a big time investment, and it was important to me to use a fabric that would hold up for a long time. I think this fabric will do just that.

This particular type of twill was right fabric for the job too! It is stable and sturdy without being too bulky. It gave me no trouble at all cutting or sewing it. I underlined my anorak for warmth, but if I had wanted a lightweight jacket, this fabric would have been good weight unlined as well.

I pre-washed the fabric against future shrinkage, and the 4 yards I ordered were the perfect quantity for my size 20 coat. (The pattern calls for 3.5 yards so the half yard went to shrinkage in the wash and my lengthening adjustments to the body and sleeves.)

If you are looking for fabric for you own Kelly Anorak, I can confidently recommend their double-ply twills.

Kelly Anorak

• Pattern: Kelly Anorak Pattern by Closet Case Patterns
  • Fabric: Double-Ply Twill in “Olive” from Organice Cotton Plus,
    underlined in flannel shirting and gold anti-static lining from Jo Ann Fabrics, the hardware is a kit from Closet Case Patterns
• Measurements: Height – 5’10”, Bust – 43 inches, High Bust– 39, Waist – 43 inches, Hips – 51 inches
• Size/Adjustments
  • I am, technically speaking, a size 16 in the bust according to the size chart, but I want to be able to fit the jacket comfortably while wearing layers, and not have to make extreme adjustments to fit me through the waist and hips. After much measuring of finished garment sizes and myself, I chose a size 20.
  • From the size 20, I pivoted out the side seams, starting below the bust, to increase the hip measurement a total of 4 inches around (by adding 1 inch to the front and back pattern pieces at hips).
  • The pattern is drafted for a height of 5’6″ and I am 5’10”. I chose to add .75 inches in length to the jacket body and lengthened the arms 1.75 inches.
• Also Wearing
  • hand knit hat – “Foliage” hat pattern by Emileee Mooney in “Honey” Swish Worsted yarn from Knitpicks
  • “Love Yourself” Linden Sweatshirt (previously posted)