How to Make a Jacket

Pattern catalogs offer all kinds of jackets you can make, from casual fleece jackets to hooded windbreakers to suit and dress jackets. Jacket patterns come in lots of lengths, from cropped above the waist to hip length or longer. Jackets can have collars, cuffs and belts, or be plain and simple. In general, loose-fitting jackets with few pieces are easier to sew than fitted jackets with many pieces. How the jacket looks depends on the pattern and the fabric you choose. Polar fleece is wonderful for soft, warm jackets, and it comes in a wide variety of colors. Wool works well for suit jackets, and you may want to use a more waterproof fabric, such as nylon, for windbreakers and jackets with hoods. Evening jackets can be made from satin, or the same fabric as your dress.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jacket pattern
• Fabric
• Matching thread
• Lining fabric (optional)
• Buttons (optional)
• Zipper or separating zipper (optional)
• Interfacing (optional)
• Scissors
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine

1. Choose a jacket pattern that you like, and that has any features you need, such as a hood or pockets.

2. Buy fabric for the jacket, following the guidelines on the pattern envelope for how much fabric you need and what type to use.

3. Buy fabric for the lining of the jacket, if needed. Lining fabrics are usually lightweight, such as polyester or mesh (for nylon jackets), or even silk or satin for dress jackets.

4. Buy thread that matches the fabric, as well as any other needed materials listed on the pattern envelope, such a zipper, separating zipper, buttons, or interfacing. Fleece jackets and windbreakers tend to use zippers, while more dressy jackets tend to use buttons or just belts.

5. Cut out the pattern pieces for the jacket, using the cutting line for the size you need. Most jacket patterns already include extra room for wearing the jacket over other clothing, but if you plan to wear the jacket over a sweater or bulky winter clothing you may want to make the jacket a size bigger than normal.

6. Smooth out the patterns. You may want to iron them with a cool (low-temperature) iron to get out the all the wrinkles and make the patterns more accurate.

7. Follow the cutting guide in the pattern directions to pin the patterns to the fabric and cut out the pieces. If the jacket has several different options (such as an optional hood or several collar choices), make to sure to cut only the pieces you need.

8. Follow the directions that came with the pattern to sew the pieces of the jacket together.

Tips & Warnings

• If your jacket needs a full-length zipper, be sure to buy a separating zipper. This type of zipper opens at the bottom so you can get the jacket on and off easily, without pulling it over your head.
• Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons and sewing machines.