1948 Coat Debut

Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- Retro Butterick '48/ B5144/ vintage sewing pattern/ outfit

This past summer when I visited my grandparents, my grandma had a fun retro sewing project all ready for me!  She thought we could try out the Retro Butterick Pattern B5144, a 1948 coat pattern.  She had fabric options, matching notions, everything ready to go; aren't grandmas the best?

This is the pattern (I used a smaller size though):
Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- Retro Butterick '48/ B5144/ vintage sewing pattern/ outfit

And I ended up choosing a wintery fabric in a black, gray, and light blue plaid.  I'm honestly not sure what kind of fabric it is- sorry about that- but it's not very thick or heavy, actually, maybe about medium weight, but softer and "drapier" than most wools seem to be. I don't have a very good picture, but this fuzzy one will give you the idea:

Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- Retro Butterick '48/ B5144/ vintage sewing pattern/ outfit

The coat then has a black lining on the inside.  It's surprisingly warm for having not made it with super heavy material!  I think the volume of the fabric in combination with the air insulation it provides makes it quite comfy.

Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- Retro Butterick '48/ B5144/ vintage sewing pattern/ outfit

I really liked this pattern!  I love the transitional 40s to 50s look, sort of a 40s-shoulder-pads-meets-50s-swing-coat style that would be universally flattering, I think.  It feels quite glamorous to wear, being so full and all, much like a cape or opera coat.  It's also quite long, especially on me, which is exactly how I like my coats.  I stay warmer without the pesky waistline draft that short coats seem to create!

  It was also surprisingly simple to make, not nearly as scary as I thought it'd be!  The collar is actually just a sort of neck dart, one long seam that makes the fabric turn over on itself.  The only tricky part my grandmother and I encountered was making sure the lining didn't pull the fabric up too far in the back and that the hem was even.  That and lining up the plaid on such strange angles!

What do you think of the coat?  Do you think you would be willing to try it, or is it not your style?  Do you have any questions or things you'd like to know about the pattern?  I'd love to help!


Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- Retro Butterick '48/ B5144/ vintage sewing pattern/ outfit
Outfit details:
skirt, tights, sweater:  Kohls, I think...
shoes: Decades
hat: flea market
earrings: gift
belt: Plato's closet, resized this way

Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- 1940s vintage outfit

Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- Retro Butterick '48/ B5144/ vintage sewing pattern/ outfit

Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- 1940s vintage outfit

Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- Retro Butterick '48/ B5144/ vintage sewing pattern/ outfit

Flashback Summer: 1948 Coat Debut- vintage brown 1940s shoes/ heels

12 comments

  1. Nice, I like it! It looks like it would be really easy to dress up or down for different occasions. Also you could probably belt it for a different look. Either way, it looks good :)

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    1. Ooo, belting it is a good idea. It's pretty full, so I'll have to see if it accentuates the waist or makes me look like a cinched in bolt of cloth, haha. We'll see!

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  2. ah, i love love these bright blue tights here! your whole outfit looks great! i also sent you my ad in an email!

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

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    1. Thank you so much, Lindsey! And thanks for the ad, I'll get it up ASAP!

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  3. I didn't know they re-issused this pattern! I sold the original in my Etsy shop ages ago.

    I wasn't quite sure what to think of it when I saw it. I thought it may be nice, if you wore a corsage or bulky brooch, otherwise, not much of a fan. For my personal style, I like more fitted pieces. But regardless of my personal feelings as it of I'd wear it, it looks good on you! It's very flowy. And that hat is amazing!
    xoxo
    -Janey

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    1. I actually felt quite the same way when I saw the pattern. I really wasn't quite sure of how it would translate to real life. Luckily, my awesome grandmother had made a mock up before I arrived, so I had something to try on to help me visualize. (I really appreciated that! I hate doing mock ups.)
      I also prefer more fitted pieces, but I do like the dramatic contrast between the flowy coat and fitted pencil skirt. It makes all the proportions look rather flattering, I think!

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  4. OH EM! I SOOOO love it! It's exactly the unstructured, cape-y kind of coat I LOVE! I would not have a CLUE how to begin sewing one...especially a fabric that had to be matched (PLAID?!?! You're a sewing zealot!) I think I would adore one in a brown tweed...very snazzy. (Isn't that a 50's way to say FAB?!)

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    1. Haha, thank you! Yes, it would be very you in some brown tweed with paisley on it, I'm sure!

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  5. Magnificent cold weather ensemble! I just adore how you picked out the blue in the tweed to use for your hosiery and belt colour choices. Awesome styling - I would wear this whole look in a New York minute!

    Big hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Aw, thanks so much, Jessica! I always love your looks, so that means a lot!

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  6. This is amazing, I would definitely make this coat. I love that your Grandma had a project all pick put too.

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