If you are a beginner tailor, you might be scared of how complicated it is to sew a jacket. The long instructions and confusing patterns sometimes terrify even professionals. However, we were able to find a very simple tutorial on how to cut and sew a jacket that would be perfect for people with any level of sewing skills. Check out our guide on how to sew a jacket step by step. In the end, you will have your own handmade stylish women’s cropped jacket! Let’s get to it!
Cropped jacket
Before we jump into the whole ‘making a jacket’ business, we would like to tell you a little bit more about what you are going to be making. The cropped jacket might not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone says the word ‘jacket’.
Why?
Well, first of all, is it much shorter. The jacket you are sewing today only reaches the bottom of your ribcage.
Secondly, it does not have pockets, buttons or long sleeves. It is as simple as a jacket can be. In some ways, it is closer to a bolero than to a classic jacket.
With all that said, it is very stylish and classy. You can wear it on top of anything to keep warm or to make a fashion statement. If you are still interested in learning how to sew this type of jacket, continue reading for detailed instructions.
What you will need to make your own cropped jacket
If you want to sew a cropped jacket, you are going to need the following things:
- a 115x115 cm piece of fabric of your choice for the shell (best to use cotton)
- a 70x155 cm piece of polyester fabric for the lining
- a printer and at least 12 A4 sheets of paper
- sewing supplies
- iron and an ironing board
Note:
Before beginning your sewing project, wash, dry and iron your fabrics. Iron the lining fabric with moderate heat.
How to cut a jacket
If you do not know how to cut jacket, follow these steps:
- Download the cropped jacket pattern from this link. Print the PDF at 100% of the actual size of the images. Please be aware that the pattern is meant for making an S/M size jacket. If you are a bit bigger than that, you might want to adjust the size of the pattern according to your own size.
- Cut the pattern pieces along the marked borders and tape them together. Use the numbered triangles to help you figure out which piece goes where. Cut off the rest of the excess paper.
- Fold both of your fabrics, place the centre back of the pattern against the fold and trace the pattern on each of them. Cut out all of the pieces from each of the fabrics.
Know that the pattern includes 1 cm of seam allowance. Therefore, all of your seams (with a few exceptions) are going to have 1 cm allowance.
How to sew a jacket?
READ ALSO: How to sew a trouser step by step?
Step 1. Take your front shell pieces and sew them to the back shell panel along Seam A with their right sides together. Sew the front to the back along the Seam B at the shoulders, also with right sides together. Do the same to your lining pieces and iron all of the seams open.
Step 2. Sew together the front and back sleeve pieces along Seam C, which runs along the outer arm, once again, with right sides together. Iron the seam open. Sew each sleeve’s Seam D (the inner arm) and iron it open. Turn the sleeves inside out, so that their right sides are out. You should have two shell fabric sleeves and two bodice sleeves.
Step 3. Fit the sleeves into their corresponding sleeve holes: shell to shell and lining to lining. The back pieces of the sleeves should be against the backs of the bodices, while the front pieces should be against the fronts. Pin them in place with pins lying perpendicular to the edge of the fabric; align the side and shoulder seams. Sew the sleeves.
Step 4. Baste a 0.5 cm hem at the bottom of each bodice.
Step 5. Fit the lining fabric into the shell with the right sides facing each other and sew the pieces together along the Seam F (neck and lapels). Do not forget to align the shoulder seams. Iron the Seam F open and turn the jacket inside out to iron it once more. You should slightly roll the lining toward the inside as you do it.
Step 6. Topstitch the shell and lining together along Seam G (bottom edge) with a 0.25 cm seam. Follow the line you made in Step 4.
Step 7. Iron your jacket and try it on. If you have done everything correctly, you should end up with a gorgeous cropped jacket that you have made with your own hands!
We hope you have enjoyed our tutorial on how to cut and sew a jacket. Make sure you follow the steps carefully. One misinterpreted word, and your sleeve might end up in the wrong place :)
READ ALSO: How to cut bustier blouse with Ankara?