Brrrr, it’s chilly outside!  Winter is here with a vengeance – and it’s only halfway through June!

Boiled wool is a terrific fabric for easy wear warm layers. I recently sewed the Style Arc Sigrid knit coat, in boiled wool from Super Cheap Fabrics.

I should have steamed out that centre back fold before this coat was photographed!  From the Style Arc website: PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Patch pockets,Full length sleeves with wide cuff, Open front with folded front tab. FABRIC SUGGESTIONL Sweater knit, or any fabric with slight stretch and drape.

I chose to sew size 12, and didn’t shorten it even though I’m 158cm. I wanted to keep it fairly long. I covered the seam front bands seam allowance with bias binding, as I knew that the front would sometimes flip open and the seams would be visible.

The side seam splits are lovely – nice wide self facings and hemline, which also provide a topstitching detail.

On reflection I probably should have raised the patch pockets a couple of inches in accordance with my height. My hands don’t reach to the bottom, although that’s not really an issue. I am also a fan of the wide turned back cuffs.

There is a separate back neckband piece which is seamed to the front bands at the shoulders and provides some gentle shaping that keeps the neckband close to my neck – even without a forward shoulder or high upper rounded back alteration. Bonus! The boiled wool moulds nicely to the body and also has good movement when the coat is in motion.

I find that boiled wool unlined coats and jackets provide an excellent winter layer that doesn’t make me overheat. Obviously I’d need something heavier weight and lined if I was spending more time outdoors on cold days, but for the inbetween days and the days when I’m moving between heated indoor environments and outdoors quite often, they work really well.

Many thanks to Anna who kindly took these photos for me.