You may have sewn the prettiest party dress or the rockinest jeans, but in the winter how is anyone to see your awesome handmade wardrobe when you're always bundled up under something warm? Sew your own coat or jacket! If you haven't worked with cold weather fabrics before, it can be a bit intimidating to get started, so here's some information that will keep you warm.

Wools

Weight

Anything over 10 oz. (per linear yard) and up to 24 oz. can fall into the outerwear range, although every manufacturer and retailer has their own cut-off for what they call a “coating weight” (and many retailers don't list weights on their websites, so make sure you order a swatch before committing to an entire coat worth of fabric!). Although there is a general correlation between the weight of a fabric and how warm it is, the weave of the fabric can also affect warmth.

Weave

Coating weight wools can come in an endless variety of weaves including plain weave, basket weave, and twill weave. The weave itself isn't necessarily indicative of the fabric's wearing properties, but it certainly affects the look of the finished garment.

Wool melton or felt

Melton is different than standard wool coating because it is tightly woven and then felled or heavily brushed. (Fulling is the matting of pre-knit or woven wool through heat, water, and agitation. It's what happens when you accidentally put your wool sweater through the wash. It's different than felting, which describes the creation of a fabric by matting raw wool fibers). Melton wools and felts are sturdier and more water resistant than other wools.

Less Traditional Fabrics

Upholstery fabrics

If you are wanting to make a truly unique jacket or coat with unusual fabric, consider looking in the upholstery section. The variety in upholstery fabrics makes it hard to make general statements about working with upholstery fabrics, but you do want to consider weight and pattern, like you would when selecting a wool. Additionally, make sure that the upholstery fabric isn't too stiff or backed by a material that makes it too challenging to sew using your home sewing machine.

Faux fur

Faux fur isn't the best choice for everyday wear, because it isn't water-resistant (and in fact can often get pretty bedraggled if it gets wet), is difficult to clean, and shows wear more than other sturdier fabrics. However, it sure is fun for a statement coat! Consider using it for cuffs and collars on coats or jackets that will be worn every day.

Double cloth

You can sometimes find a fabric that is the best of multiple fabric types by buying a double cloth that is a different fabric on each side. A great example of this is a double cloth melton and fleece that has the great outer characteristics of a wool melton with the coziness and warmth of a fleece.

Knits

Yep, you can make a winter coat or jacket out of a knit. You probably want to pick a knit that is quite stable (like a heavy ponte or other double knit) and choose a wool or a synthetic fiber meant for outerwear. Not all woven patterns can be easily substituted for a knit, so choose a pattern that isn't highly tailored. Consider going down a size (but not more as your coat still needs to fit over the clothes you are wearing underneath). Another fun idea is to swap out a big collar or even the sleeves of the jacket or coat for a knit.

Underlining and Treating Fabric

So you're in love with a fabric that isn't quite warm enough? Don't fret! There are several things that you can do. These techniques can work whether you are trying to stay warm in truly brutal winter weather (hello Montreal and Boston) or if you want to make a mid-weight fabric wearable in the winter (and you're lucky enough to live in more moderate climates like those of us out here on the West Coast).