Sewing the ARA QULTED OVERCOAT: The Low-Down
Pattern : The Ara Quilted Overcoat By Daisy Chain Patterns
Size : Small
Fabric : Store bought Quilted Coverlet
The Ara is a short-sleeved coat with layered patch pockets, designed with lots of ease to accommodate chunky winter sweaters or a light spring t-shirt. Its short sleeves lend a vintage chic vibe, a signature style that emanates from the Daisy Chain team, Liz and Natalie. This pattern is also an excellent opportunity for those wanting to dip their toes into quilting, whether starting from scratch or repurposing an existing quilt.
You can get the full low down on Kylie’s fabulous version of The Ara Quilted Overcoat here . As you can see I'm quite a fan!
What makes this overcoat truly adaptable is the fabric options. Made from quilted fabric, it serves as an ideal layering piece. Alternatively, made from toweling, it becomes the perfect post-swim cover-up at the beach. In a soft, fluffy material, it transforms into a cozy garment for lounging at home.
One of the best features of this pattern is its simplicity and ease of fit, thanks to its oversized design and minimal pieces. There are just three main components, excluding the pockets, making it straightforward to stitch and adjust and great for clearing the mental sewing palette. However don’t be fooled into thinking it will be a super quick sew as there is a LOT of binding!
During our interview with Natalie, she highlighted the challenges of working with store-bought binding, which can be stiff and difficult to manipulate. I would definitely recommen making your own binding, and using a steam iron can be incredibly helpful for shaping it around curves.
For my binding, I used my Simplicity bias tape maker with leftover Liberty fabric from my daughter’s dress. The contrasting binding fabric did give it more of a homemade feel, perhaps choosing a binding closer to the main fabric would offer a more professional, shop bought finish.
Whether you choose to machine stitch or hand sew the binding, remember not to fret over minor imperfections. The odd wobble here and there is not as noticeable as you might think.
Both Kylie and I modified the bottom centre front opening of the coat from a right angle to a rounded edge, which mirrors the edge of the pockets—though this is entirely up to personal taste.
Kylie cleverly added fish-eye darts to the back of hers for extra shaping, a simple modification that can be done towards the end of construction.
And yes, it has pockets—big pockets, making it super practical. A useful tip is to take extra care when aligning the pockets, so that both sides are symmetrical. Kylie opted for just the smaller pocket on her version, while I embraced the full double oversized pocket, ready to stash all my essentials!
Due to time constraints, I opted for a discounted coverlet for my fabric choice. While the polyester blend needs a few more washes to achieve optimal softness, it promises to evolve into the comfy overcoat I envision!
If you're keen to sew The Ara Quilted Overcoat for yourself, don't miss Episode #10 of our podcast on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Google Podcasts for all the details. Use the code SEWINGCLUBPODCAST for a discount on the pattern.
Happy sewing, everyone! 🎉✂️🧵