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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Tutorial Time: A Crafty Little Fox Coat


There is something about Fall that makes animal feature coats extra cute.  Maybe it's so many sweet woodland critters to pick from?  My middle guy needed a new fleece jacket, so I raided my stash and whipped up my fun Crafty Little Fox Coat for him with just a basic pattern, fleece and a little initiative:

Clever like a fox thanks to a fleecy fox coat

This little fox's ears prick up at any sign of danger...


...or food:


He likes peeking around corners to see who's around, so he had to have a fun tail like a real fox:


The tail is even 3-dimensional for some extra realism (and cuddly cuteness):


There are also cozy front pockets to keep hands warm.  I deliberately made the sleeves a little long too, so we could roll up the cuffs for a little color detail (and get some extra wear time as he grows).


A fox coat is so much fun for pretending in and making the everyday a little more magical:


I used this base pattern previously to do my Just A Giraffe Fleece Coat:


It was complete with ears, horns and a swingy tail:


Now onto this season's critter - the Little Fox!


How I made it:

For the coat itself, a basic fleece zip-up hoodie pattern was needed. There are lots out there, but I used Simplicity 5362.  That pattern was ideal because it's easy to sew (and includes kids & adults sizes).  I drafted up some ear pieces that were about 3 inches wide by 4 inches high and cut out two pairs: one each from my red and cream anti-pill fleeces:


I stitched my ears together (right sides facing) with a 1/4 inch seam allowance and then trimmed the seams down with pinking shears to make it easy to turn them right side out:


I stitched together the hood pieces and I clipped a small line on either side of the hood just 1/2 inch smaller than the width of each ear and inserted them in.  I wanted to have a little fold in the front to give the ears a little curved shape when sewn in.  


On the wrong side, I stitched across the opening to close it and sandwich the hood & ear layers together. 


For the tail I freehand drew a bushy & curved fox tail on paper to make a pattern to fit my coat's back panel.  I drew an irregular zig-zag  near the top for the white tip.


I cut out the main tail piece from my red fleece and then cut off the tip section and used it to cut out that portion  from the cream fleece.  I cut that piece just slightly larger than the pattern (maybe an extra 1/8 inch all the way around) so that it would totally cover the red piece when put together.


I top stitched the white tip onto the red tail at the zig-zag.


Then I pinned the tail to the back panel and topstitched them together from one side of the tail, up and back down to the other, leaving the bottom section open.


I gently stuff the tail with polyfill to give it some body and then basted the opening closed:


I followed the pattern directions to put all the pieces together to make the actual coat.  This pattern happens to be unlined, sI made two jackets - the one with the fox features and a second one with cream fleece sleeves for the lining. 


To attach the outer & lining, I did the sleeves first by folding the sleeve cuff of the lining right side out and inserting it into the corresponding sleeve of the outer: 


Then, I pinned them together, matching up the seams and stitched them together:


To put the main parts of the coat outer & lining together, I pinned, then sewed the lining and outer together around the front, hood and bottom edges, leaving a few inch gap at the bottom to turn right side out.  I turned everything right side out, pushed the lining into the outer coat and then slipstitched the opening closed.


I rolled up the sleeves so the creamy lining would show at the cuffs.


Now my little guy is ready to be as clever and warm as a fox this Fall:




9 comments:

  1. I loved sewing for my kids when they were younger. He looks like he loves the jacket which must make you feel wonderful. Thanks for linking up at Handmade Halloween!

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    1. It really does. Seeing them happy when the finished item is revealed makes it worth the effort!

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  2. Oh my gosh, that is just so cool! What a great idea to make the tail attached to the back and to stuff it! Love it! :) Lisa

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    1. Thanks! We wanted the tail to be more real looking and this way it won't get caught on anything.

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  3. lThese are so adorable!! Definitely pinning!!

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  4. Hi Cheryl
    Just stopped by to let you know that I featured this on my Round Tuit post this week!
    A Round Tuit 332
    Thanks again for linking up to A Round Tuit Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success

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  5. Your little fox jacket is the cutest Cheryl! Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Connie. It's nice to hear other people love cute & cuddly as much as I do:)

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Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)