I know for sure I’m not the only one who’s gearing up for Spring! Even though it’s still a bit nippy outside, who says we can’t get our “Pre-Spring” wardrobe together?
For this blog post, I’ve decided to work with one of the many AMAZING African Ankara prints that are available at Mood Fabrics. These prints are so fabulous, they always inspire my design process. I thought it would be great to make a light-weight, fitted coat that could easily transition to Spring. The coat is fully lined with a medium weight cotton quilting that gives it a little added warmth and structure.
I’m sure you’ll love the Geranium coat just as much as I do. I’ll guide you through my step-by-step photo tutorial for quick sewing instructions. The Geranium Coat Pattern is free and available below so download it now!
Here’s a list of everything I used:
- Blue, Red and Green Waxed Cotton African Print (Sadly this one is sold out, but Mood has over 80 more stunning Ankara prints!)
- Navy Quilted Cotton Woven
- Black Single-Faced Fusible Interfacing
- Gunmetal Metal Sew on Snaps- 45L/28mm
- The Geranium Coat Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated.
Pattern Pieces (lining is optional) ½” seam allowance:
- Front- X2 of fabric- X2 of lining
- Side Front- X2 of fabric- X2 of lining
- Back- X2 of fabric- X2 of lining
- Side Back- X2 of fabric- X2 of lining
- Sleeve- X2 of fabric- X2 of lining
- Under Sleeve- X2 of fabric-X2 of lining
- Pockets- X2 of fabric- X2 of lining- X2 of interfacing
- Front facing X2 of fabric- X2 of interfacing
- Back neck facing X1 of fabric on fold- X1 of interfacing on fold
- Optional Detachable Collar – X2 of contrast fabric
- Sew darts closed at front and back pattern pieces and press.
2. Pin backs together at center back, sew and press open seam allowances
3. Pin side backs to back side seams. Sew and press open seam allowances.
4. Pin side fronts to front side seams. Sew and press open seam allowances.
5. Sew side seams of under sleeve to upper sleeve as shown.
6. Pocket:
A- Press interfacing to wrong side of pocket. With right sides together, pin lining to top edge of pocket. (Lining is ½” shorter than pocket front with ½” seam allowance.)
B- Stitch across top, leaving a 2” opening in center to turn pocket right side out.
C-Press pocket seam open at top and pin sides and bottoms together.
D- Stitch along sides of pocket and trim seam allowance. Turn pocket right side out through opening and press. Slip stitch center of pocket closed.
7. Transfer pocket placement to front coat with loose contrasting thread. Pin pocket onto front where marked and stitch 1/8” away from pocket edge. Remove marking thread.
8. With right sides together, pin coat front to back at side seams and shoulder seams and stitch. Press open all seam allowances.
9. Match notches on sleeves and coat and pin in place. Sew in sleeves and press open seam allowances.
10. I drafted a simple front and back neck facing pattern for my jacket. The width is 2” plus ½” seam allowance. Press interfacing onto wrong side of fabric. Attach back neck to front neck facing at shoulder seams and stitch. Press open. With right sides together pin facing to coat matching shoulders seams and stitch in place. Press all seams open.
11. Follow steps 1-9 when sewing the lining (disregarding pockets of course). Place lining into outer coat. Turn coat inside out and pin lining along facing edge. With right sides together, sew lining to facing and press seams open. Turn sleeves inside out and with right sides together at cuff, pin and stitch. Pin bottom edge of lining and coat together leaving a 4” opening at center to turn coat right side out.
12. I attached 2 large 1” snaps to the button placket. I centered each snap 1” from neck edge and 1” from placket edge. Each snap is placed 6 inches apart. I originally had 4 buttons to use for the closure, but I only attached 2 because the snaps are so large. It’s totally up to you to decide what works best for your coat. If you choose a heavier weight fabric, I would suggest using all 4 snaps.
And that’s it!! Check out more photos of how I styled my Geranium Coat! Enjoy!!
For More Ideas and Pattern Hack Using the Geranium Coat Pattern, Click the Links Below:
Geranium Coat Redux – Free Sewing Pattern
39 comments
Fabulous
The coat in the African print is stunning! Thanks for sharing
I like the jacket very much. Would be nice to have a pic of the backside.
Hi! Thank you so much! I’ll add a picture of the back asap!
Love it. I think I will try it. Got a little lost on the lining part but your instructions were really, really good. Love the colors and how you put this entire outfit together from head to toe. Very inspiring to me.
Hi Gaye! Thank you for your comments! If you need extra help with the lining, I’ll be more than happy to help! Email me info@shavonnecruz.com
Absolutely beautiful, thank you for the pattern.
Thank you!
Beautiful!
Thank you!
So amazing!! You did such a great job of matching the print!!!
Hi- the size chart goes up to size 30, but the downloaded pattern seems to only go to size 20 – is there another file that I didn’t see?
Thanks
Hi there! We try to make our patterns go up to a size 30 whenever possible, but unfortunately we can’t always do it with certain ones. This specific pattern was only able to be made up to a size 20.
Love it, thank you!
Thank you!
Great coat – thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Lovely, lovely coat. Looking forward to making it. Although I love the African Wax print fabric on you, I’m not sure that it would suit me so could you please give me an idea of some other fabrics that might work for this pattern? If the lining is a medium-weight quilting cotton then I’m looking at something quite heavy weight for the main body?
Absolutely beautiful. I might give it a try with my collection of African prints from Ghana
Thanks for inspiration
Awesome to see someone’s successful sewing project look so very professional and unique. Lovely. Inspirational to me and other I am sure.
Love the pattern, received the fabric and can’t wait to get started.
What kind of lining would you suggest I use?
Thank you for the inspiration.
I love this. Just downloaded the pattern. There aren’t many African prints left, and none really match my skin tones. Will you recommend some other fabric suggestions?
this is simply gorgeous. The Ankara fabric just makes it pop!
Hi, how are these patterns printed out? I deff wanna try this jacket!
Hi there! If you fill out the form up top with your name and email address, the file will be emailed to you 🙂
I can’t wait to sew this pattern. Your choice of fabric and colors was inspired. Gorgeous! And, I love the way you styled it with the white shirt and denim vest.
I just bout some Red Ankara printed fabric at a really cute shop in Las Vegas all because I fell in love with your coat.. I can’t wait to make it for Spring 2019. Thank you so much for sharing your stunning coat.
HI. this jacket is definitely going to be added to my wardrobe. Can I make this in a suede fabric?
Absolutely stunning- thanks for sharing
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Están divinos
I want to make this jacket.
Shavonne!!! The ENTIRE outfit is amazing!!! I’m making the jacket but would love to know: are there patterns for the white shirt, pants and vest? And those shoes!!!! I’m in love!!! Where did you find them!!! Thanks for your BEAUTIFUL work!!
Love this jacket. I have printed the pattern but can find the information on how many yards of fabric was used. I have some wax fabric my mother-in-law sent me that I want to use. Thank you so much for sharing.
mille mercis de France.
Please help, I can’t seem to find the chart for how much yardage to but for the Geranium Coat.
Hi Yvonne, we’re sorry for the delay in responding to your question! We get dozens of comments and questions each day, and so many questions get buried and, unfortunately, unanswered. We are now focusing user support on patterns 2 years and newer. We hope this will prevent questions on our more current patterns from going unanswered. Although this is late, we wanted to respond in case anyone else has the same question: here is the redux of our Geranium coat. On this post, we have listed the Shop the look feature in the right hand corner. Using this tool, you can find out how much yardage you will need for your coat based on your size.
Beautiful! I can’t seem to find any layers in the pdf file, so that just one size can be printed. Will you be doing that for future patterns?
Keep up the awesome work!
Hi Lois, at this time we unfortunately cannot offer layers in our free patterns. 🙁