Megan Illgner

Handsewn Purple Party Coat - made from synthetic purple fur and gold accents. Coat is fully lined with purple cotton fabric and has numerous velcro pockets inside. Very Warm!

Purple Fur Party Coat - backside.

In the beginning...

Hood - This coat was a prototype. Lacking a pattern, I figured it out step by step. For the hood, I first created a shiny satin lining. I then made an outer layer of purple faux fur. This piece of the coat took considerable time because of the difficulty using slippery satin and fluffy fur together in a tight design. I wanted the satin interior to curl out around the frame of the hood so that the wearer would not get fur in their eyes. Through lots of pinning and careful stitching, I was able to achieve the desired look and feel.

Hood - This is the (almost) finished hood. I then added a gold cord along the seam where the satin and fur meet. Once the entire coat was finished, I added a string of LED lights so that the wearer is visible at night.

Purple Fur Party Coat - I applied a cotton lining inside the entire coat. Once the outer shell of the coat was complete I hand stitched the cotton fabric inside. This picture shows how I placed the lining inside and used chalk to outline the shape. I then cut it out, pinned it in place, and sewed it together. I chose to sew by hand because I didn't want the seam to show in the fur. I carefully stitched just deep enough to connect the cotton to the fur base without going through the fur itself.

I made this coat while working in Japan. This is a coworker trying it on.

I made this coat while working in Japan. This is a coworker trying it on.

Handsewn Purple Party Coat - made from synthetic purple fur and gold accents. Coat is fully lined with purple cotton fabric and has numerous velcro pockets inside. Very Warm!