The Irish Coat - Vogue 8940

Hello handsome!

A while back I made this coat for my husband Robin using  Vogue 8940 . Like many wonderful things in life however, there is a story behind the creation and this coat's story begins over 40 years ago. Intrigued? READ ON!

ONCE UPON A TIME ...

It was 1974 in a small country town in Ireland, just one year before my husband was born.

My Irish father-in-law, having migrated to Australia in 1967 as a 24 year old, now ventured back to Ireland with his young wife and first born son to visit his homeland.

My father-in-law Geoffrey comes from Newry, a city of Northern Ireland which is 55km from Belfast, 108km from Dublin and one of Ireland's oldest towns.

My in-laws Geoffrey and Verra on their wedding day and yes, they are actually that good looking.

Down a long country road in the back hills of Warren Point was an old Mill with a craft store attached. It was here that Geoffrey and Verra decided to visit.

In a nice little twist of fete they were served by the son of Geoffrey's old neighbour.
Here my mother-in-law purchased four metres of the most beautiful, hand-loomed donegal tweed which would make the journey all the way back with them to Australia.

DONEGAL TWEED is a hand-woven fabric that has been made for centuries in County Donegal.

Donegal produces its tweed using local materials. The wool is sourced from the many sheep in the hills and bogs of Donegal, and the dyes which give the tweed it's distinctive bright flecks of colour are made using indigenous plants such as blackberries, fuchsia and moss.

Isn't that just wonderful?!! In a time when we barely know what's in our fabric, let alone where it came from this fabric is so authentic and resourceful and a little slice of Ireland itself.

FAST FORWARD FORTY YEARS, a few more babies, some grand babies and a daughter in law (me!!).

I had decided I would make a winter coat for Robin. Dutiful and patient, my photographer has suffered through all of my photo shoots and yet never asked me to make him anything!

Armed with a pattern, I told my mother in law about my idea of making Robin a coat. Struck by sudden inspiration, my generous mother in law retrieved from her stash that beautiful donegal tweed purchased all that time ago in Ireland. Once I had seen the fabric and heard the history, nothing else would do.

THE PATTERN Vogue 8940 is a lined pea-coat with double-breasted fastening, a notched collar, forward shoulder seams and no side seams.

It features two piece sleeves, inside welt pockets and button fastenings on the outer pockets. I love the semi-hidden button fastenings; gives the jacket a subtle sophistication.

I top stitched all the seams which helped flatten bulky seam allowances and give a nicer finish.

We have just been relieved of Winter here in Australia; a season that witnessed this coat in constant rotation.

SEEING ROBIN WEARING IT, and hearing the compliments he gets around town fills me with a satisfied happiness that reminds me that sewing for others is actually pleasurable after all #lessonlearned.

Thanks to Robin for being such a good support and an excellent model. I like to imagine I can hear a slight Irish melody to your voice when you wear this lovely coat.

And lastly, a very special thank you to Geoff and Verra for letting me cut into their little slice of Ireland.