I originally made the Cambria Duster from Friday Pattern Co. for a Fancy Tiger Crafts blog post and just realized I never linked to it! This was one of those amazing projects that I loved working on so it’s fun to look back on it now.

UPDATE 3/2026: Since FTC is no longer around, I am adding the contents of the blog post at the bottom of this post.

*The pattern and materials were provided to me for free and I was compensated for time. All views and opinions are my own.

The photos here were recently taken, well over a year after the blog post went live. Since the original posting, I’ve realized that I don’t love the snug fit around my shoulders. If I were to make this pattern again, I would try to size up or try to grade a small upper to XS lower.

Styled here with my plaid twill Free Range Slacks.

Original blog post from the FTC blog:

Pattern: Cambria Duster by Friday Pattern Company
Fabric used: Cupro Tencel Linen in Henna with matching thread
Size Made: XS
Modifications: Shortened 2”

I’ve been dreaming of a rust colored trench coat for years, but have been too intimidated by outerwear to ever delve in. Enter my first project as a Fancy Tiger Crafts Brand Ambassador: the Cambria Duster by Friday Pattern Company. This pattern is specifically for confident beginners which makes it a great place to start.

Friday Pattern Company’s commitment to making and doing good things with beautiful, easy to sew patterns makes them one of my favorite designers. Not only do they donate 5% of all proceeds to charity, they also offer minimalistic designs with instructions that are fun, encouraging, and easy to follow. The Cambria Duster’s proceeds benefit The Innocence Project.

Fabric

The Cupro Tencel Linen in Henna is almost exactly the color I had in my head (though black was also calling my name). This fabric is even more beautiful in person and perfect for this pattern. It’s slightly textured, super soft, and has the dreamiest drape. It was easy to work with which is always a bonus and I love the character the bit of wrinkle brings too.

Size + Modifications

I made size XS based on my 32” bust measurement. Since the pattern is drafted for a height of 5’5” and I’m only 5’ tall, I decided to shorten it by 2” which is the only modification I made. The finished length hits me just below my calves. If you’re in between sizing, I’d recommend sizing up. Although this size fits me pretty well, I could see myself sizing up in the future for a roomier fit in the shoulders especially if I planned on wearing thicker layers underneath.

Finishing Seams

The most intimidating part of this make is deciding on a seam finish. The instructions offer some recommendations, but it’s ultimately up to the maker to decide. This pattern is unlined which means some seams are more visible than others, most notably on the folded sleeves. I decided to do one of the most time consuming options: bias bound seams. Although I’ve done bias binding before, this is the first time I’ve done it so extensively since every raw edge is bound either together or separately. The only seam I didn’t bind was the arm sleeve which I serged instead. I made over 12 yards of bias tape from my fabric remnants to match. I forgot to account for that in my yardage,but luckily had just enough. It was quite a laborious affair, but I love the end result. If you’re unfamiliar with bias binding, it really isn’t too difficult and this is a good way to practice.

This final make is a dream come true and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. When Fancy Tiger Crafts asked me what dream project I wanted to work on, I referred back to a trench coat I saw on TV years ago. They suggested fabric and pattern options that might work and I was instantly closer to making my dream come true than ever before. Sometimes you need someone to tell you that you can do something to make you finally realize you can. If you have a dream project you’ve been too scared to start on, what are you waiting for?