Okay, so I’ve been wanting to make a Cody Rhodes-style coat for a while now. It’s iconic, right? The big collar, the bold design… it just screams “wrestler extraordinaire.” I figured, why not give it a shot? I’m no professional tailor, but I’m pretty handy with a sewing machine, and I love a good challenge.
First things first, I needed to find a pattern. I scoured the internet, looked through pattern books at the fabric store, and basically came up empty. There’s not exactly a huge demand for wrestling robe patterns, go figure. So, I decided to wing it. I found a basic coat pattern that had a similar shape – long, with a straight cut – and figured I could modify it.
Getting the Materials
Next up: materials. I went with a heavy, white fabric. It was something synthetic. I wanted it to have some weight and drape nicely. I wanted it to feel substantial. Then came the fun part – the embellishments!
- I bought a few patches.
- I got some gold trim.
- I picked up some sturdy interfacing to give the collar that stiff, stand-up look.
The Process
I started by cutting out the basic coat pieces according to the modified pattern. I made the collar extra-large, like, ridiculously large. It had to be dramatic! Then, I sewed the main pieces together – the back, the front panels, the sleeves. It was starting to look like a coat, albeit a very plain one.
The collar was the trickiest part. I sewed in the interfacing, carefully shaping it to stand up. I probably spent a good few hours just fiddling with the collar, making sure it had the right curve and height. I even tacked it in some areas to help keep its shape.
Then came the decorating! This is where the coat really started to come to life. I placed the patches on the front, carefully arranging them. I used a ton of pins. It was a real challenge, but it was starting to look like the thing!
Finally, it was all done! It wasn’t perfect, mind you. There were a few wonky seams, and the lining wasn’t exactly professional-grade. But you know what? It looked pretty darn good! I was super proud of myself for pulling it off. I even wore it around the house for a bit, feeling like a total wrestling superstar.
