Each month in our pattern review column, readers share their unique style with a gorgeous garment make!
You can never have too many coats, am I right?! The weather in the UK calls for at least six variations in my wardrobe; from full-on cosy parkas for the winter to lightweight waterproof jackets for autumn and a fancy evening coat, just because. There is always a gap in my wardrobe for the next ‘perfect’ coat or jacket.
I’ve been wanting to make the Landgate since I first saw the pattern. I love the modern shape with its big hood and pockets. The jacket has the perfect combination of style, practicality and comfort, which I really crave in outerwear!
FABRIC SELECTION
I need something with some water resistance as it rains a lot in Bristol! So, I chose the Merchant & Mills Flax Cotton Dry Oilskin fabric in Tobacco. It’s a gorgeous weight fabric with a little bit of waxy-ness and it softens as you wear it, so I can tell it’s going to get better and better with age.
This jacket works particularly well with oilskin or dry oilskin fabric, but you can also use cotton canvas or denim for a casual spring or autumn jacket. It’s worth thinking about how breathable your fabric is if you tend to get hot as this jacket is a pullover style. The dry oilskin feels like a waxy cotton so may be better if you prefer a lightweight, slightly more breathable option.
I love oilskin but find it can be a bit crisp at first. This dry oilskin is slightly softer and loosens up even more with wear and has a better drape, which is the look I was going for. The fabric itself is really easy to sew and my domestic machine (Janome DC3050) coped very well with the layers. The versatile tan hue complements casual clothes perfectly.
TIMINGS
This jacket probably took me two days in all, including cutting out and sewing. I took my time with it and really enjoyed the process.
FAVOURITE PARTS
I love trying new techniques and there were a few in this make to push my knowledge and test my skills. The funnel neck with the zip and attached hood was pretty challenging, but I like to be pushed every so often! It reminds me of my tailoring skills from university and how much I enjoy the more technical makes. I also absolutely love topstitching and there are a few bits in this, which I was pleased about.
SKILL LEVEL
This is definitely an intermediate skill level pattern. The instructions were quite brief so I would say some good sewing knowledge is definitely needed, particularly for the zip and the hidden pockets.
SIZING
I chose to go for a size L based on the Merchant & Mills’ sizing (I’m a UK size 12
