I’ve wanted to make the Schnittchen Silvia Coatigan since it was first released in 2015. Back then I wasn’t sure about the boxy shape. Back then there weren’t many versions online. Last year at Fabricabrac I met the lovely Rosie. She was wearing her awesome version and I knew I definitely needed to make this pattern! This was at the end of winter and so the pattern has been sitting uncut until a few weeks ago.

Schnittchen describes this pattern on their website as:

a short coat with oversized shoulders and an integrated shawl collar. There are pockets integrated into the cross seam in the front piece. You can sew a lined or an unlined version.

Here’s my version:

I cut a size 38  with no adjustments out of a knitted wool blend coating fabric that was gifted to me by my friend Pat.  She originally purchased the fabric from The Fabric Store. I wore the coat without lining first as I wanted to wear it as an oversized cardigan. I ended up lining it with silk from my stash as the outer fabric is itchy.

Schnittchen is a German patternmaking company. Their instructions are in a format similar to Burda or Style Arc where they list the instructions and don’t have illustrations. This didn’t bother me as it’s quite a simple coat. If you have made a coat before you won’t have any trouble putting this pattern together. The pattern has 1cm seam allowances included.

Silvia Coatigan

This pattern comes together really quickly. I made this in around 4 – 5 hours and made zero changes to the pattern. The boxy style and the slightly dropped sleeve make it a simple sew. The pattern is 8 euros (around $12 NZD) which I think is good value. I hate spending $25+ on a pattern I’m only going to use once.

Check out the lining! it’s lovely silk I picked up from a pop-up sale for $5 per meter! It adds a nice pop of colour. I also lined the pockets with a soft warm wool to keep my hands warm on cold days.

Since I made this last week I’ve worn it a lot! I love how effortless it feels to wear. I do sometimes wish that I cut a 40 on the hips to allow for a snap or button closure. I would do this on my next version. I can easily hold the front sections closed when I’m walking to and from the bus to the office. As you can see it’s nice and snuggly!

In these photos I wore my Coatigan with my Safran Jeans, Paxson sweater and Melilot shirt. Most days I have full me-made outfits. Wearing me-made clothes gives me more confidence. I’m starting another coat – the Oslo – soon with my friend Kirsten.

Total cost:

Outer fabric – gifted, Silk lining – $10, Pattern – $12

Total cost $22 plus thread from the stash.

This jacket was made on my new Bernette 38 sewing machine and Bernette 48 overlocker/coverstitch. Both machines handled the thick wool beautifully.

I am set for winter wearing this coat and lots of merino!