Amy Butler Rainy Days Hooded Raincoat and Runabout Jacket pattern review

I once heard someone say that she believed sewing was a "summer sport" because she couldn't think of anything she wanted to sew for winter. She had been sewing beach wraps, skirts, and cute summer dresses and couldn't think of anything she wanted to sew for winter.  Well, I believe this coat is the perfect answer for something you could sew in January and February when the weather is cold, the days are short, and we just can't wait for spring.

And, this pattern is the perfect example. 

As an aside, I just wanted to say I am thrilled to finally have the time to not only sew a few things but to also blog again!  I love Winter Break!  My break from school started on Friday, December 21, and I have been sewing gifts for my family for the past 3 days.  I just finished them all, and I couldn’t wrap up my mother’s gift without sharing it with you first!  I love it so much, and I really want to keep it for myself!

This is the Amy Butler Rainy Days Hooded Raincoat and Runabout Jacket pattern that is supposed to be made with laminated fabric or home dec weight fabric.

I decided to make the jacket with 100% cotton fabric because there are many more fabric choices than laminate, they cost less, and the weight of the jacket is perfect for fall, most winter days in Charleston, and the spring.  Laminated fabric is a little more of a pain to work with since you can’t use pins with the fabric, and it is best to sew laminates with a walking foot.  Only having a few days to make lots of gifts, I needed something easy that I felt confident about whipping up in a few hours. I chose this great new fabric from Art Gallery.  I also made one for my mother-in-law , but I had to ship it off to Colorado in time for Christmas and didn’t have the time to take a picture of it.

I definitely would like to warn you that if you are making the adult pattern, the sizes run very small.  I usually wear a small shirt and jacket, but the medium fit me perfectly.  I suggest that you make a larger size than you normally wear, maybe even two sizes larger if you have broad shoulders or a larger chest size.

This jacket isn’t very difficult to make, but it is time consuming.  You have to make 2 jackets, the outer and then the inner (which is the lining).  The pattern has several darts, pleated pockets that have to be symmetrical, 6 button holes and buttons, threaded “invisible” belt loops, and many other details. If you notice in my pictures, the buttons aren’t sewed on my mother’s jacket yet…my precious husband does that for me, and he will be sewing those this evening.  He likes to feel like he contributes to the gifts we give our family, and I am thankful that he is willing to do this job.  I hate sewing anything by hand!

This jacket pattern is also available in child's sizes 3 through 14, and I think it would be so cute on a little girl.  Think of all the great fabrics you could use! 

Little Splashes Hooded Raincoat and Runabout Jacket

Instead of making lots of smaller projects, commit to trying this one larger project that you can work on a little each week! I am going to be teaching a 5-6 week class starting the end of January/start of February on this jacket.  You can make one for youself or for you daughter...or both!  We will be going step by step with lots of instruction so it is also a perfect class for the sewing 101 students who want to learn lots of skills such as darts, button holes, and making a lined garment.  Stay posted to our schedule of classes for more information and specific times. 

I can't wait to give this jacket to my mother for Christmas.  I know she is going to love it!  I'm also glad I'm done sewing all of my presents for my family which included messenger bags, zipper pouches, pajama bottoms, and two of these jackets.  This morning, I woke up with the idea to make a couple of infinity scarves for my mother and sister as well, and I am debating whether I should go to the store to get some knit fabric to make them with...a sewers job is never really done! :)