I DID IT!!! Almost a year after starting work on the pattern, I've completed my test coat! Is it perfect? No. But I'm still really proud of it. Now comes the hard part though, finding fabric, and finding buttons. I actually have some nice buttons that are pretty close (just have to paint a gold rim on.) but I only have eight when I need at least ten. I've seen those kits where you mix the different colored substances together, press the button in it, wait for it to dry, then use polymer clay to make a copy of the button. They seen to work real well and I don't need a super sturdy button for the belt as it won't be operational and will probably be tacked to the back of the coat anyway. The problem is that they retail about $20 US. That's not real expensive, but for two buttons... and I probably won't use it again. Does anyone know of a cheaper way to duplicate a button? Or of buttons that are less than $20 for ten or eleven? As for fabric I found this
Wool Blend Coating Coating Black/Grey - Discount Designer Fabric - Fabric.com Cheap! But it is a 50/50 wool/poly blend. I'll order a swatch of it though and see. I also found this
Black/Grey Wool Coating - Fabric By The Yard At Discount Prices I don't think it's as accurate and it looks almost like vertical lines to me.
I have another question. What kind of lining should I use? Is there a certain material that's better for coats? Also, where do I buy horsehair canvas interfacing? I haven't actually looked in any stores, but on their websites (Joann, hancock fabrics etc..) they only sell it by the bolt, which is some $200 plus!
One thing I cannot for the life of me figure out is how to draft a pattern for that stupid undercollar! Right now I've just settled for interfacing the collar heavier in the shape of an undercollar, but if anyone can tell me how to draft a pattern then I might give it a try.
Thanks for any help in advance!