DECIDED TO GET A FROCK COAT MADE...

[Blade Savvy]

...well, that's the plan!!    

I can get what I believe to be a reasonable material quite cheaply priced and tailoring is reasonable.  However, I look to my fellow pirates for some good advice (having scoured resources till my laptop raised a white flag!!). I have the pattern coming (Simplicity 4923!), Simon's buttons and some reasonable braiding also.

Rather than the expensive tweed type, I thought about some cotton twill (cooler than polyester variants out there).  But what colour?  Looking at either a dark blue http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F2KZGMA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1YXKMDHQMAZKQ

or maybe a charcoal http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F2L4E0E/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1YXKMDHQMAZKQ

Looking to our expert seamstresses/tailors (Sara etc), is the material heavy enough whilst remaining cooler?

Grateful for any comments/advice/thoughts!!!  

[FleetStreetNightmare]

I think charcoal looks closer to the actual material. And the Simplicity pattern I think will need a fair amount of modifications to make it screen accurate. On Shylaah's blog, she recommends this pattern HERE, as she says it requires the least amount of modifications. Just thought I'd put that out there. I'm sure Sara will probably be able to offer much better guidance than me though, so wait to hear what she says.

[Blade Savvy]

Thank you Fleet. Yes, saw Shylaah's pattern, but actually getting it here is the issue. The other alternative I thought of was to use the Costumebase coat that I have as the template.

[Mondas42]

Wouldn't use the CB coat as a template as it's missing the pleats at the back, and if memory serves the cuffs are undersized. I would also go for the charcoal as well buddy.

Good luck with the build!  

[Bilge Rat]

The real fabric is more brown than any other color,
Look for some brown weaves, you might even find something closer looking

[Blade Savvy]

All noted thank you.

Pattern. Omitted to mention that the other alternative was to start with one listed on the Wiki: http://jacksparrowcostuming.wikispaces.com/file/view/R_36.jpg/149183701/R_36.jpg
which seemed to be 'nearer' and would allow reduce tailoring mods (larger cuffs, pleats etc).

Bilge Rat: is that image of the 'proper' fabric or an alternative source?

I had considered a more brown fabric, but (as has been said in many threads etc) one item never looks the same in 2 shots! Bandana, coat...! I do have the benefit of excessive UV weathering which I had thought might alter the blue version. (There was a perfect blue/brown fabric, but price was prohibitive (to the extent it would have been cheaper to use 'proper' tweed!)). I will keep looking, but get the impression the material is 'robust enough!

All comments welcome.   

[Button It]

The actual colour is a mixture of two colours - there's a light and dark beige (poly) thread going one way that doesn't change with the weathering and a dark blue thread going the other way, that fades in the sun, which is what changes the colour of the coat depending on how much it's been used in the sun etc for filming.

[Blade Savvy]

The actual colour is a mixture of two colours - there's a light and dark beige (poly) thread going one way that doesn't change with the weathering and a dark blue thread going the other way, that fades in the sun, which is what changes the colour of the coat depending on how much it's been used in the sun etc for filming.

That's useful - thanks Simon.

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