Rachel Chore Coat

This take on the Rachel chore coat is made from one of the oldest quilts I have in my collection.  “Crazy Quilts” were very popular in the late Victorian era, from the 1880s to the 1900s.  This one features a variety of silk velvets and rich, jewel-toned wools with splashes of earth-toned suiting sprinkled throughout.  Hand embroidery is worked over every seam. Stitches used include turkey tracks, chevron, blanket stitch, feather stitch, and cretan stitch.  The backing is a pleasantly faded paisley print cotton sateen.  Every single stitch of this quilt was sewn by hand. It is tied with red silk cording. This crazy quilt was made by sewing the pieces of fabric to a cotton muslin backing, then batting was added, and finally the paisley backing fabric.  It is very dense and heavy.

The Rachel chore coat is a boxy, loose-fit shawl collared coat with patch pockets.  The front is secured with a cast pewter hook and eye closure.  The sleeves on this model are cut shorter than usual to keep them out of the way of your hands as you go about your work.  Please note that there are scattered tiny “moth kisses” in several places.  I have made mends over the larger holes, as shown in the photos.  The tiny, unmended holes are an opportunity for you to add your own patchwork embellishments, if desired, or to let nature slowly take her course, gracefully fraying those holes a little more with each wash.

This coat measures 46″ through the torso. The wide drop shoulder cut measures 26″ across the shoulder span, with a 15″ sleeve.  The total length from collar to hem is 34″