There’s nothing like wrapping up in a coat or jacket you made yourself, and a good handmade coat will see you through many winters to come. We’ve rounded up our top sewing patterns to help you choose your ultimate winter warmer. So whether you’re in need of a sleeveless vest to layer underneath your favourite coat, a bold boxy jacket to complement your winter styling, or a fully lined cocoon coat to embrace you on those chilly days, we’ve got just the sewing pattern for you…
Hathor, the multi version sleeveless vest
Level: Simple, with sewalong on the blog
Sizes: 34 to 52 for the PDF pattern / 36 to 46 for the paper pattern
Seasons: All year long. When it’s not warm enough to just wear a t-shirt or not cold enough for a coat. Over a t-shirt on summer nights and underneath a coat during winter.
Details: Hathor is a timeless sleeveless vest with 18 variations. Choose from three neckline options, three pockets and two closures to create your ultimate layering piece. Slip Hathor on underneath your favourite coat, or wear alone as a mid-season jacket. Depending on your fabric choice, Hathor can keep you warm on rural walks, keep you toasty when running errands on chilly days, and can be slipped under your coat for wintery walks around the city.
Artémis, for beginner who wan to sew a first coat
Level: Simple, perfect for beginners
Sizes: 34 to 52 for the PDF pattern / 36 to 46 for the paper pattern
Seasons: All year round. In a woollen fabric for winter of course, and you can use many different types of fabric to wear it all year long.
Details: Artemis is a jacket and coat pattern that’s perfect for beginners wanting to take their first step into making outerwear. With a simple, boxy shape, Artemis is perfect for bold prints and bright solids to perk up your winter wardrobe. If that’s not your style, sew in a muted colour to form a wardrobe staple you’ll reach for year after year. And even better, Artemis can be sewn for all genders and ages!
Delphine, perfect for reversible fabrics
Level: Intermediate (quite easy for a jacket)
Sizes: 36 to 46 for the PDF and paper patterns
Seasons: Autumn, winter and spring
Details: Another pattern that’s ideal for stepping up your game, Delphine is a straight cut jacket that can easily be lengthened to create a coat. With a traditional collar sewn in faux fur for that added bit of fun, Delphine also comes with a free add-on to sew a lining, making for a jacket that’s as practical as it is stylish.
Full Moon, timeless blazer and modern blazer dress
Level : Intermediate
Sizes: 34 to 52 for the PDF pattern / 36 to 46 for the paper pattern
Seasons: All year long worn inside. Spring and summer as outerwear.
Details: A jacket? A blazer? A dress? Or all three… Full Moon is a magical convergence of jacket and dress, perfect for special occasions and for everyday wear. Double-breasted with long narrow lapels, Full Moon has the recognisable details of a tuxedo-style blazer, but with subtle quirks to give it some edge.
Jacques, classic raincoat for the entire family
Level: Intermediate, with advice on “how to sew raincoat fabrics” on the blog.
Sizes: 34 to 52 for the PDF pattern / 36 to 46 for the paper pattern
Seasons: All year long, especially on rainy days
Details: We all need a good raincoat in our arsenal, and Jacques has all the details you could wish for: a classic shape, button placket to cover the zipper, big patch pockets, and a full lining to keep you cosy. If you fancy some matchy matchy outfits to brighten those rainy days, Jacques can also be sewn for children and men.
From pinning to pressing raincoat fabrics, find all our tips on the blog.
Merlin, enchanting coat
Level: Intermediate, with tutorial on the blog to sew welt pockets
Sizes: 34 to 52 for the PDF pattern / 36 to 46 for the paper pattern
Seasons: Autumn and winter
Details: Effortlessly cool, Merlin is the ultimate coat for relaxed, nonchalant vibes. A wide lapel flows down to a button fastening at the hip, and tailored two-piece sleeves and a cocoon style shape make this a warm yet stylish cover up to see you through autumn and winter. Ideal for intermediate sewists, Merlin also has welt pockets (tutorial on the blog) and is fully lined for additional warmth.
Rê, the classic duffle-coat in two lengths
Level: Intermediate, with sew along on the blog
Sizes: 34 to 52 for the PDF pattern / 36 to 46 for the paper pattern
Seasons: Autumn and winter
Details: Rê is an iconic, classic duffle coat loaded with all the details of the original Montgomery coat: toggle closures, a 3-piece hood with button tab, a shoulder yoke, large patch pockets, and a two piece sleeve with tightening tab at the wrist. Re has two lengths included; create a duffle coat that lands at the hip or mid-thigh to fit in seamlessly with your winter wardrobe.
A sewalong is available on the blog to help you sew your Monty coat.
Harry, magical cape
Level: Simple, with sewalong on the blog
Sizes: 34 to 52 for the PDF pattern / 36 to 46 for the paper pattern
Seasons: Autumn and winter
Details: A cape that makes you feel truly super, Harry has a full circle shape, in seam pockets and a subtle collar detail that sits flat at the neckline. With just four buttons, Harry can be slipped on and off with ease, and the full lining gives this cape an added element of luxury.
Mimosa will keep you warm
Level: Intermediate, with tutorial on the blog to sew welt pockets
Sizes: 36 to 46 for the PDF and paper pattern
Seasons: Autumn and winter
You can’t help but feel good in this cape. Mimosa is an easy to sew cover up to keep you warm yet super stylish on those chilly days. With a rolled down collar and those all-important pockets, Mimosa is modern yet timeless, effortless yet practical. Due to its relaxed shape, Mimosa is ideal for beginners, and we even have a free patch pocket add-on.
Wan to know more?
And there we have it, a whistle stop tour through jackets and coats for all styles and abilities! If you’d like to have a look at the designs side-by-side, we’ve put them all together on this handy page so you can see which pattern has the features you’re looking for. And in case you’ve not seen it, our blog features step-by-step tutorials to guide you through the sewing process, along with free add-ons, inspiration and ideas from the I AM Patterns team and the wonderful sewing community.
