A Country Girls Coat

Earlier this week I put the final stitch into the hem of A Country Girls Coat. It was made for the Fashionista. 

If the coat looks somewhat familiar to you that is because it is a companion coat to my Coat Of Many Colors. 

This coat is for the Fashionista.

We both smile in that we are still donning mommie and me looks. 

A Country Girls Coat

I found that I wore my patchwork prairie coat quite a bit during the three day event in Simi Valley. 

Often when I was working, perhaps crawling around on the floor arranging skirts of the costumes and such, I was asked to take a photo, etc. It was so nice to pop on the colorful coat and look presentable in an instant. 

I thought it would be nice for Alyssa Lou to also have such a coat. But one that was unique to her taste. 

We began with the second side of the same feed sack that is the centerpiece of the coat. 

Kansas is of course a nod to where the real Little House on the Prairie is located. 

She requested bell sleeves. 

The two front patchwork pockets feature Grandmother’s Garden appliques that were indeed made by her great-great grandmother. 

Great-grandma loved to do piecework over actual quilt making. I’ve transformed her handiwork into three quilts. One for me and one for each of my children. Quilting is very labor intensive and I understand why most of the pieces never progressed. There were also several individual pieces that would probably never end up on a quilt as they were singles or doubles of just one design or color palette. 

I also had numerous squares of 1920s/1930s fabrics that Great grnadma had cut into squares. No rhyme or reason. Lou liked the idea of making them into strips for either side of the front of the coat. 

She is definitely a prairie girl. Wanting to use up each little scrap. 

Her coat is completely reversible. 

The additional cotton fabrics used on the coat are vintage. Most were purchased at estate sales and thrift shops. It was sewn together with cotton thread. So this is a very sustainable coat. 

  

Cash On The Barrel

At the festival there were several people who wanted to know how long it took to make the coat. I had not kept a record so I made sure to do so with this coat. 

From cutting to the final pressing it was 38 hours. 

A few people wanted to buy the coat right off my back and wanted to know the cost. 

I hope I did my best to kindly convey that the coat was priceless. 

I was occasionaly further pressed with, “But could I make a similar coat?”

Yes, but… 

Antique and vintage feed sacks start at around $25. For one in this condition it would be $50 or more. 

Then there is an additional 3 yards of vintage/antique fabrics, trims and buttons. 

A safe estimate for just the fabrics is between $150-300.

That’s without even sewing a single stitch. 

Because I am using scraps I have to fussy cut all the pieces of the fabric before I even begin the task of traditional patchwork.

What is a good hourly rate?

Well, what is your time worth?

Right now my schedule is bananas. Time is very precious.

In the end, with the fabric and the contruction time, these coats would have a $750-$1,000 price tag. 

Gulp. I KNOW!

   

If you are ever gifted a quilt or other handmade item just know, the person isn’t cheap.

Indeed they love you very much. 

Laura