Anywhere Is

“I did love you, y’know. You were the best friend I ever had.”

“I’m proud to have known you, Lucie Bleedin’ Miller.”

For the Night/Power of the Doctor coat I used:

Pattern: Laughing Moon Mercantile 109, Victorian and Edwardian Frock coat in the double-breasted view with some alterations; apart from typical adjustments for height (or in my case lack of it!) and the fact that it’s a men’s pattern I widened and changed the shape of the lapels and collar, playing about with the length of the latter until I had them touching, which they don’t do on the pattern, and added some extra width to the skirts. You could also use this pattern mostly (or completely if you’re a bloke) unaltered for the TVM coat.

Fabric: Stretch gabardine in dark green I’m on a tight budget and this had the kind of drape I was looking for as I wanted the skirts to swish! I thought the slight stretch might be a problem but it made no difference thankfully. The lining is a basic anti-static lining fabric. Now I have actually seen the lining of the original (or rather Steven Ricks’s recreation, which is what I’ve based mine on) I wish I’d used satin but there we are.

For the waistcoat:

Pattern: I used New Look 6914 in view C as a base, but I’ve redrafted it so much that it doesn’t really resemble the pattern any more (I’ve made even further adjustments for my next version, which will be number six or seven; I’ve lost count now!). It’s a women’s pattern and i’ve raised the height of the opening, changed the notched collar into a shawl and levelled off the front edges as well as turning the faux welts into real double-welted pockets. For less hassle the Folkwear 222 Unisex Vintage Vest would be a good option, though looking at it you’d probably have to do the same with the pockets.

Fabric: For the latest version I used this Rose and Hubble paisley cotton poplin in beige. I’m always on the lookout for a satin or brocade but I’ve never found one completely suitable. The back and lining are a satin charmeuse, but I wouldn’t use it again as it was too slippery. I usually go for lining fabric as it’s more stable to work with.

The shirt I frankensteined together from about three different patterns; for something similar you could use the Folkwear 204 Missouri Riverboatman’s Shirt and swap the ties for a button closure. I used some linen viscose that’s now out of stock but plenty of places have fabric like it. A really good pure linen that’s not too heavy would be ideal but those tend to be very expensive.

The trousers are Closet Core Sasha, my go-to trouser pattern. I’ve made umpteen pairs of these. This pair is made from Pound Fabrics cotton twill chino fabric in tan.

The belt and gaiters are faux leather and were self-drafted, as was the Dark Eyes bag, which is made from a combination of waterproof fabric and waxed cotton.

I can’t find a link to the Vogue women’s pea jacket pattern I used for the Dark Eyes coat so it might be out of print; I already had the pattern and had made it a couple of times before so I used it as a base and made adjustments such as changing the collar to a soft one and adding a proper belt. The Thread Theory men’s Goldstream Peacoat would be a good alternative and probably work better without needing so many changes. I used faux leather from Pound Fabrics for mine that’s now discontinued, but there are plenty of others out there to choose from like this one from Minerva Crafts. The lining is a similar fabric to that used for the NotD coat but in navy.