How to Make The Timeless Vintage Vogue 4001 Coat Pattern


How to make the timeless vintage Vogue 4001 coat pattern. I love vintage patterns and I spotted this coat pattern on eBay. It took me a while to come to a decision, but ultimately, I had to buy it! Coincidentally, it was being sold by a friend who I had lost contact with some 30 years ago. It seemed as if it was meant to be.

The Pattern

The pattern is a Vogue 4001 Special Design and dates from 1959. It is an “Easy to Make” straight unlined coat with a high, round collarless neckline. It has the option of having high breast pockets and side seam pockets, as well as raglan sleeves that can be above or below your elbow, and a separate stole. 

The Fabric


Recommended fabrics are: light weight wool – tweed – worsted – flannel – wool jersey – pique – linen – shantung

I decided to make it with brocade fabric for the evening. I made the decision to line the coat with a heavyweight satin to achieve a more tailored look and give the coat some weight along with a better drape.

The Make

This coat can be created quickly and easily with only ten pattern pieces. The coat is unlined, has raglan sleeves, and no button hole closures, so is perfect for someone new to sewing. The instructions are straightforward to follow, but are not always obvious to a modern day sewer.

I wanted full-length sleeves and therefore lengthened the sleeve pattern when cutting them out. I found the pockets to be set too low for me and so raised the position.

I was making a coat for the evening in a light weight brocade, and so wanted to line the coat. The back and front panels were cut out in a heavy weight satin, which also provided the coat with body and structure. 

Constructing both the outer coat and lining at the same time, I then placed them together with wrong sides facing each other. I then added the facing to the coat. After that, I was able to hand stitch the facings and hem of the coat to the lining. 

Alterations & Tips

    1. I lengthened the sleeves and you may want to do the same. This is a vintage pattern and was made for women who were generally much smaller in proportion. In the same way, you may want to lengthen the coat.

2. I altered the positioning of the side pockets and raised them.

    3. Lining the coat is a good option for a woollen winter coat

    4. This coat can be easily shortened into a knee length coat or cropped jacket

    5. In my view, a cropped waist length jacket with breast pockets and sleeves below the elbow would look great over a shift dress. 

The Cost

Fabric: 180 DH

Lining: 80 DH 

Total: 260 DH (£20 / $26)

Conclusion

This coat can be made quickly and easily. For someone who is new to sewing, the construction is simple and the raglan sleeves are a great choice. 

The coat pattern is versatile, as it can be worn as a lightweight unlined summer coat or a lined woollen winter coat. 

Being straight, it is easy to shorten or lengthen the coat, and therefore is suitable for any height. Wearing it as a knee length coat with trousers or cropped to a jacket length at waist or hip length would look fantastic. 

I have no problem with leaving the jacket unlined and finishing it with Hong Kong seams. However, for an evening or winter coat, I always choose to line it. 

After 65 years, this stylish and classic vintage pattern has endured the test of time. 

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