Finally as promised, the fleece jacket with free patterns, step by step photos and a sewing video! Unlike the previous few sew-alongs, I didn’t announce this before hand, because I just wanted to post it here for anyone and everyone to read and sew whenever they feel like it. It really doesn’t matter when you join in. I hope to make this a regular feature next year. In fact, I’m going to be re-organizing things a bit over here but more about that when I get back. As this project is rather timely for the cold weather, I’ve decided to post this up first.
Today’s project includes
- Free patterns for download
- A “how-to-make” with step by step photos
- A sewing video on youtube.
A fleece hoodie jacket
With a nicely finished neckline on the inside
All ready?
One thing I would like to say before we begin is that I’m not a professional, and I’ve not even been to sewing school (2 semesters of Home Economics when I was a teenager doesn’t count right?). Everything I learned about is from books, the internet, and the hard way. So the way I do certain things might break the traditional sewing rules (especially how I attach a zipper!) but I’ve tried many ways and this is my favorite way of doing it. If you have your own favorite method, by all means do it your way! 
There are only two sizes available at the moment, because I only drafted these two sizes for my girls. The jackets are loose fitting though, as it is meant as an outerwear. So it can fit a range of ages from 3-8. (My older girl is 8, and taller than 116, but because it is loose fitting, I made 116cm and extended the hemline.)
Here are a few things to take note about the patterns.
- The patterns are larger than a single sheet of paper so they are created in multi-page PDFs. You will need to print them on A4 size paper and piece them together with scissors and tape/glue.
- ALL SEAM ALLOWANCES ARE INCLUDED (Don’t mean to shout it out but as this is not the norm in Japanese sewing books’ patterns, I thought it was best that I highlighted this point. It is one of my pet peeves to trace out patterns and manually add on seam allowances, so I really prefer having seam allowances included in my patterns. In the future I should be sticking to this format. I have also highlighted the seam allowance on the pattern in light gray so you can visualize the actual sewing line.)
- Remember to select A4 as your paper output size when printing, instead of Letter as the different sizes may truncate certain parts of the joining lines. Do not select scale-to-fit option. It should print nicely at 100%
- Use recycled paper if you can, because you are going to cut most of it up.
- I spent hours putting this together, so please do not copy or redistribute it as your own. You are certainly welcome to link back to this post and credit the source to me
Without further ado,here are the download links for the patterns
- Size 104cm Fleece Jacket Pattern (Requires 11 pcs of A4 size paper)
- Size 116cm Fleece Jacket Pattern (Requires 11 pcs of A4 size paper)
- How to make with step by step photos (You don’t have to print this out if your computer is near your sewing table, try to save paper! Maybe you can even download the PDF onto your ipad as an ebook and use it as a reference. Using it digitally as a PDF also allows you to zoom in and take a closer look
But if you must, it takes 8 pages to print.
And here is the video!
Right now as this post is being published, I am on my way to Sapporo. So I will only be able to check and answer any questions when I get connected, sorry about that!
In the meantime, Happy Sewing!
I wonder if you could help me with choice of fabric.
I can’t buy fleece in my country. Can you suggest any other type of fabric?
Tutorial is great!
Thank you
Regards, Vesna
Hi Vesna, You can use knit fabric like jersey. Use the thicker types and finish off the cuffs and hemline with a ribbed jersey if you are familiar with sewing in knits. I didn’t buy fleece locally too. There are not many choices here. I actually bought them online from fabric.com. Shipping is not too expensive if you use a coupon. You didn’t mention which country you are from so I hope they ship to yours!
I’m from Bosnia and Herzegovina and as much as I can see, they don’t have shipping for my country.
Thank you so much for the answer. I am familiar with sewing with knits, so I’ll try!
Vesna
Hi Vesna, You might want to try to search on Etsy? Some individual sellers will ship worldwide. They probably have less restrictions than large online stores. Good luck!
Have a fun trip, as I know you will.
Thank you for ALL the time put into making this video, that was a huge task. You explained it all so well and make it so easy. Fleece is so fun to sew on, no finishing the seams, I love that part. Here in Washington state it gets cold so I have sewn fleece clothing for one of my smaller granddaughters.
Ok eager to hear about your trip when you return, wish I could have gone with you!
Thanks Rebecca, yes it was a huge task! But the next time it should get better and easier since I will be more familiar with setting up the lighting and cameras. I’m going fabric shopping today!
Hi,
I like the tutorial very much and looking forward the next project.
May I know what is the length of the zip for size 104 cm?