Lovely Louisa: Louisa coat blogtour

Confession #1: I've never sewn a coat before. I told myself many times I should one day, but it just didn't happen... until now!

Confession #2: It's hard to say no to the opportunity to test a new Compagnie M pattern. Testing is always such a great and enriching experience. So when Marte was looking for testers for the Louisa Coat, I knew that it was going to happen... I was about to sew my very first coat!

Confession#3: I'm a champion in collecting fabric for some project, some day... Over the years I found some great woolen fabrics in thrift stores and at flea markets. You know, for that coat I should sew some day... In the meanwhile, I believe I can start a small fabric store with them, or just keep on making coats...

But let's start with this one, my very first Louisa coat!

First, I'll tell you about the pattern. The Louisa coat is a beautiful A-line coat, inspired by the Louisa dress . And it wouldn't be a Compagnie M pattern, if it didn't offer a lot of options to create your very own unique coat. You can choose between a zipper or buttons, a hood or a regular collar or a tulip collar. There's a regular back option of a really beautiful split back with the nicest curves that give this coat that special Compagnie M touch! You can play with fabric, add some piping or not.(Confession #4: I cant' imagine not adding piping when there is an option to do so...)

The fabric I chose after a lot of choice stress - so many possibilities in my fabric stash... - is a warm and soft wool in a lovely bright green. The perfect match with a Moda cotton and some golden piping. I made some thicker piping on the outside, and used regular piping on the inside of the coat.

To add some extra warmth I added some Vlieseline H630 to the cotton lining.

During the sewing, all my doubts about sewing a coat myself just melted away. The instructions are as usual crystal clear. Marte guides you trough the entire making process, step by step, picture by picture. You also get a lot of tips and tricks to reach a perfectly finished result.

I admit, it takes some time to sew a coat, but it's totally worth it. The result made me really happy!

Confession #5: As you can see, the sleeves are a bit short here. That's totally my mistake and has nothing to do with the pattern!!  I made my girl a size 2, but added some length to the hem and to the sleeves. But I made a mistake and didn't add enough lenght at the sleeves... I think I will add some cuffs to solve that problem, as soon as I find the right colour.

After the pattern test, Marte arranged a photo shoot with all the testers. Janne and me enjoyed it a lot. It was a beautiful sunny sunday morning. The children had a lot of fun in the park - imagine all these girls in their beautiful Louisa coats - and I had the opportunity to meet some of the other testers.

Ready for some more pictures? Actually, while watching them, you should imagine a little girl "tweeting" all the time. She really loved the little puppets she could borrow for the photoshoot!

Confession #6: I'm in love with this coat!

Can't wait to make your own? You get a 10 % discount when you buy the paper or pdf pattern in the shop before November 6th, if you use the code LOUISACOAT10.

And don't forget to have a look at all the other participants in the blog tour. 

Thanks Marte, for another great pattern, for the opportunity to test and for the great pictures!