Making a Lab Coat?

[mew]

I've been stuck in a lab lots this year (about 4-5 hours a week in the term I just finished, and about another 7-8hours a week next term), and I've realized that I'm fed up with my lab coat.

The pockets are awkwardly placed; the buttons only close the lab coat up to my sternum; the sleeves are 4-5 inches too long...

So I'm trying to think of ways to sew myself a new one. I've got... basic sewing skills, so this should be doable.

Any idea where to get started?
I was thinking of picking up a pattern for a simple dress shirt, then lengthening it and adding some pockets. Also just thinking of not having typical shirt cuffs with buttons, but instead, just hem the ends so they're still loose and maneuverable in.

[aeillill]

i don't know about making one, but I work in a pharmacy & have to wear a lab coat every day *blech* I had this one lab coat though that I absolutely loved until I spilled fruit punch all over it and it had holes in the side so I could reach into my pant pockets in addition to pockets actually on the coat itself, I miss that lab coat so much.  Also I wear scrubs all day and really like a feature on some of them that maybe you could add to your lab coat?  It's a double pocket, basically a pocket in a pocket, it's my best friend

[Divasews]

If you're working in a chem lab or with acids the lab coats needs to be fire and acid resistant. Im not sure where you can get fabric that is both fire and acid resistant. Maybe do a search online?

[mew]

I was thinking about the materials, though according to 2-3 lab manuals I've had, none of them actually specify anything about the resistivity (fire, acid, spills...) of the material.

These are for mostly biology/microbiology labs, so I think washability ends up being more of a factor.
One lab book even goes so far to suggest a 100% cotton lab coat, which is far more flammable than say a cotton/poly blend.

I've found a pretty decent pattern online, I just hope I can get my hands on it in person.
McCalls 4877