Coal Gunner Coat

[macgeek]

No, I don't go on Gaia Online any more—that was years ago. But there is this really cool coat that I want to make, the Coal Gunner Coat, and it looks thus:

http://a2.cdn.gaiaonline.com/gaia/members/ava/b3/72/6efd0bb51a72b3_flip.png

I just think it's so freaking cool. Anyway, I'll have to work out a pattern for it, and it'll be a good-sized project for me, but I think it'll be worth it.

And I'll have to figure out how to make it open outward like that, so it's wide at the bottom but falls to the sides, if that makes sense. (Any ideas?)

As far as material, leather would probably be ideal but unrealistic. I'll need something heavy, somewhat thick, and obviously black.

So I'll keep updating as I (hopefully) work on this.

[macgeek]

I made a few sketches of the coat, transposing to more human proportions.

The thing in the bottom right is the collar when it's unfastened; I was trying to show the overlap.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3666457184_88b56062b7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8930112@N07/3666457184/)

I'm not sure if I like the cape-like deal on the back, but we'll see.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3665649215_86e331d635.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8930112@N07/3665649215/)

I'm still now sure how to make it hang open like that. I'll have to experiment.

[Sherlotte]

Can I suggest that you will need to do it in panels?
If you made the top 'jacket' part out of at least four panels in the back, and then at least two for the trailing part, you can gather/pleat at the top to increase width at the bottom.

[macgeek]

Hey, thanks for the tip :) I haven't pleated before, but it sounds like that should do the trick, or at least get me in the right direction.

I'm going to start working on a prototype to work out the kinks.