10.08.2008

the wanderings coat








A wanderings coat for all adventuresome girls--girls who like to wander in the woods, looking for enchanted creatures and earthy cottages. The woods are full of mystery, conducive to girlhood wonder, so in the woods they like to wander. But when woodsy wanderings find no place in our busy schedules, the next best thing is a wanderings coat, perfect for childhood wandering, yet much safer and much more convenient. This can be a true mind-wandering machine to help your girl's mind to wander whenever you need her to the most: in long post office lines, in Doctor Reiss' waiting room, or during the too-long subway ride. Your girl simply opens up the coat, pulls open the little fabric house, and enters her own little make-believe world. Which chair fits in which bear pocket? And who gets the big bowl of soup? Too hot, too salty, or just right? Is that Goldilocks hiding behind the bear's door? Suddenly your girl is transfixed, transported into a peaceful reverie...

So for all those moms seeking a little tranquil wandering, this coat might be perfect. (It's also super warm and super soft, with earth friendly heavy linen on the outside, and a lucky vintage find on the inside.) Patterns will be ready within a month, unless my mind wanders off and gets lost inside the wanderings coat!

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

Holy cow! I have never seen anything like that before!

amy turn sharp said...

yes- perfect!

Anonymous said...

How ingenious! Sorry if I spelled that wrong for I am not a genius like you!

Unknown said...

melissa - i LOVE THIS!!!! H. must be in cozy coat heaven. And the play activity inside the coat - that is so, so lovely. i can't wait to make this for miss A.

allydru said...

oh. my.

Hatch Family said...

what a great coat! i would have loved something like this when i was little. i love the story and activities on the inside.

Lisa said...

Melissa - that is so delightful. You sugar city girls never cease to amaze and inspire! Any chance you'll be making patterns for big girls, say 9 and 11 years?

Lourdes said...

Amazing! Simply amazing!

Blakely said...

Wow! I would have so loved this when I was little.

Rubyellen said...

i love the three little bears and i love this coat! so funny... i was thinking of making something similar, something that would keep kids occupied, but that was attached to them! of course, if i made something, mine wouldn't be nearly as lovely as this!

Anonymous said...

That is amazingly clever. Also too adorable for words. I love that it's like a quiet book, but with nothing extra to carry, and it also keeps you warm.

How did you do the bears and chairs, etc.? Are they iron-on transfers?

Anonymous said...

Oh que c'est beau Melissa ! Il y a tellement de poésie dans ce très joli manteau ! Je l'adore !

cathy gaubert said...

are you kidding me? my mouth is hanging open right now (not a very attractive look, i will admit) in wonderment and appreciation. genius? seriously, yes.

All of Us said...

Very cool!!! I will be purchasing the pattern as soon as it's available. I have two very adventuresome daughters!!!

sally said...

That is genious. What a great idea. Looking forward to the pattern.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love it! What a great idea! I think I might need a wanderings coat for waiting in line at the bank too!

Kari said...

Too much!

MA said...

Honestly, you guys are incredible. That coat couldn't be more amazing and adorable! I adore the yellow you chose, just perfect.

Just wondering...will you have more village frock patterns up in your shop?

Barbara Brown said...

super cute!

CMN said...

If that coat is not the Absolute. Cooolest. Thing. EVER. I don't know what is!

Yin said...

that might be the most brilliant thing i've ever seen! cute too!

i'm not sure if i've every commented here before, but while i'm at it, i'll just throw in that i am amazed by all the lovely work on this blog!

Anonymous said...

Wow. I am amazed. That is the cutest thing I've ever seen. You have boosted my courage to craft my daughter's coat this winter. Thank you! i needed it. Anna

Prue said...

I love the sunny colour. It looks so warm.

Rachel Weiss said...

TRES BONNE! Absolutely brilliant, a real heirloom creation. Just painted my living room that happy color.

Denise said...

That is the most awesome coat!!!! Love the hidden spaces.

Anonymous said...

This is so beautiful with all the stories inside like a treasure!
Please put the pattern in the shop for an eight year old girl???
Please, please, please...:D

Lisa Thompson said...

Missy - you are amazing! What a wonderful idea! Even my boys would love this one...especially if there was a bat-er-ang (I'm actually proud that I don't know how to spell it) in one of the pockets!

Swirlyarts said...

This coat is magnificent! I also wanted to let you know that I have featured you on Cuteable today.
http://cuteable.com/

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and clever...Oh, I can not wait! I'm still bumming I missed out on the dresses.

Renae said...

Love the coat and love those tights.

Kris said...

How cute is that! Very nice.

Kimmarie said...

Lovely, second the request for bigger sizes, I have an eight year old who has quite the imagination and she would adore this coat!

Mary said...

Wow - beautiful..

Unknown said...

Hello Lynne,
we LOVE the new coat! It is amazing how cute it is. You just want to cuddle into this piece yourself!
How are you anyway? We still regularly read your blog and await new ideas. And there are always great ones to look forward to! Have a wonderful Friday and weekend. Hope to hear from you soon!
Theresa (& Eva-Maria)

Amy said...

wow!

Anonymous said...

I am in LOVE with this coat... and I don't know a single little girl to give one to. :( That is the best idea ever.

Elise said...

There are no words to express how much I love this idea. You two are amazing.

Burns Family said...

Wow I love it. You know I don't even have a little girl yet, and I have bought all your patterns!

Unknown said...

OMG! I can't wait until this pattern is available! What a creative idea.

Audrey and the Boys said...

I love it Melissa! I can't believe that this is the 'quiet book' you were working on! It's so much more than a quiet book!! It is absolutely perfect and I think I might try a Peter and the Wolf version for O. (Of course, sewn into a pre-made coat- I'm not as talented and speedy as you!)

sew nancy said...

I really love this coat.
It's so creative and I love the activities inside.
I look forward to the pattern.

Anonymous said...

What a fab coat! Now I am definately hoping my bump is going to turn out to be a little girl (already have a little boy).

house on hill road said...

wow, melissa!
this is amazing - so so cute. i adore the fur on the cuffs and hood!

jess said...

Perfection! Will totally keep my three year old amused during those longish restaurant waits ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh man. You are SO good. This coat wins!
.
.
.
also wondering if there will be a reprint of the Village frock

Stephanie said...

to-die-for.

I had no idea coats could be so cute.

Sarah Golden/craftyFOLK said...

totally amazed, i need to have a few little ones now just so i can make them little clothes to be adventurous in!

Bek said...

Congratulations on another beautiful creation. I bought the simple servant pattern, and really loved it! So pretty and simple. Blogged about it today and popped in a link back here. Have made my 18 month old one with plans for more. Thanks for sharing your ideas with all of us!

Grosgrain said...

I love all the sweet touches you put in your clothes. I feel like I could pass out when I'm finished sewing a piece of clothing and don't have it in me to do anything else. I admire your attention to detail.

#A5 said...

this might be the most charming thing i've ever seen.

Helen said...

never mind the little girls. I want one! I've just linked to your stairs post, thanks for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

WHAT!!! I want one in my size.
this is so inspiring.
-shauna

18ninety4 said...

so amazing.

Bethany said...

This is totally brilliant!! Again you've come up with something that everyone needs, looks gorgeous and is creative beyond expectation. It makes me smile :)

Joslyn said...

absolutely, totally and completely adorable.

seriously.

Sabina said...

I've never seen this before -- such creativity and charm!!

Nuts To You! said...

This is the cutest thing! I have a 2yo and a 9mo, both girls, so this really appeals to us!

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure that my jaw has ever literally dropped before, but this made it happen. It's amazing.

Hill upon Hill said...

Clever, genius, amazing. Love the photo of Central Park, the comments and oh, the stories of parenting memories. Excellent.

Anonymous said...

oh Ilove the idea of making the coat attractive inside... secret coat ...