Crimson Berlin Jacket

Happy March – wanna talk about Christmas?! Ha. Both my side and my husband’s side of the family are big, and a couple of years ago we recognized that it was becoming harder to purchase and give meaningful gifts over the holidays while still maintaining a comfortable budget. We wanted to give big, special gifts but couldn’t do this for everyone in the way we wanted to, and instead often felt like we were settling for gifts for the sake of giving gifts. 

After some discussion, we set up a secret santa plan, and we’ve all loved the way this has worked out! Each person draws one name, and can then choose from a list of gifts that person would really treasure or come up with gifts of their own. I often ask for fabric for Christmas – whether it is something a little more expensive than I would usually be able to justify for myself, or something that feels a little bit frivolous but would be such a special piece, or even just something I haven’t purchased myself yet but have had my eye on… Fabric is my love language.

I received this beautiful crimson boiled wool for Christmas 2018 from my mama! I had always seen it as a Berlin Jacket – I love a bold, bright coat and I knew this color would be perfect for OU Football gamedays, as well! I quickly sewed up a Berlin Jacket in another lighter weight, less “precious” boiled wool as a wearable muslin, and then I cut this one out… And let it sit. For 10 months.

The night before the OU / Texas football game in early October 2019, I realized that the weather was NOT going to agree with the outfit I’d had in mind, and I was going to need something a little bit warmer. I was bummed, because all my fun OU gear was going to be covered up by any coat in my closet… And then I remembered this perfectly color-coordinated coat, just waiting to be sewn up in my sewing room. Luckily, the Berlin Jacket is a very quick sew (no seam finishes required for boiled wool!) and I was ready to take on a chilly game day in no time.

This became my go-to coat over the 2019 – 2020 winter season. Boiled wool is great for temperature regulation, and this makes it a great option no matter how chilly it is outside. I have wore it over layers and layers of crimson and cream for its debut on OU/TX gameday, I’ve worn it layered over a simply Ogden Cami on an autumn day that was holding out a little bit of summer warmth, and I wore this all over Spain when we travelled there in January 2020. This coat can do it all!

While it is no longer a new make, I don’t think it has really gotten the love it deserves on my page so I wanted to share it today, before it is so warm that it isn’t very relevant again (that is what happened last year!). It was so nice to look back through photos and find snaps from all over Spain in this coat. I can’t wait until we can travel again!

Coat: handmade by me
Fabric: Mood Fabrics – Rumba Red Solid Boiled Wool (now sold out)
Pattern: Tessuti Fabrics – Berlin Coat

Key Ingredients: 
Brother XR9500PRW Sewing Machine 
Brother 1034D Overlocker 
Schmetz Jersey Ballpoint Needles
Dahle 36×48 Self-healing Cutting Mat

Thanks for reading my thoughts on this make and sharing in our exciting little announcement! The fabric used for this post was generously gifted to me by my Mama for Christmas; the pattern used here was purchased by me! The words and opinions expressed throughout this post are my own, as always. Links provided throughout this post may be affiliate links – if you choose to purchase any products through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. This simply helps me justify the costs of my sewing habit and the time it takes to share it with you!! Happy Sewing!!

• XX Elizabeth