McCalls's 5525 Review

This is the second time I've made this coat and believe me...it's not the last! You can read my first review here.

I was supposed to make this coat a couple of years ago right after the first but what had happened was...you know the drill. I really wish I hadn't waited so long. I love the pattern. This time I added a little to side seams but it really wasn't needed. I also added width to the sleeves and converted to a two-piece sleeve. Hated the sleeves before--love them now! Again I added to the pocket as the original piece is positively puny!


For this version I really wanted to add all the details that the pattern called for such as the epaulets and front and back yokes, but I did not have enough fabric. What a bummer. I planned to add metal buttons but as I was sewing began to envision large white buttons. Wouldn't you know I couldn't find enough of them locally? I sent out a cry to my internet sewing friends and lo and behold, Lynn of You Sew, Girl answered my cry.

The pattern is pretty straight forward for an experienced seamstress and a not so experienced seamstress could be equally successful with patience. I've already gotten lots of wear out of this coat and I know I'll get plenty more. Unlike the last version the lining is pretty boring. I used fusible interfacing on the sleeve and bottom hems--batiste fabric as the front and collar interfacing. I do wish I had used a more substantial interfacing but failed to realize that the denim wasn't as hefty as the home-dec fabric I used in the previous version. That's not a deal breaker for me. For that next version...and there will be a next version, I'll use something else. I'll leave you with more photos and hope you like the coat as much as I've enjoyed sharing the photos and wearing it.

 BTW this pattern has been discontinued! WTF. Somebody at the McCalls pattern copy doesn't know a good thing when they see it!