Each month in our pattern review column, readers share their unique style with a gorgeous garment make!
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect light-weight coat or jacket pattern for a while now, and was drawn to the I AM Patterns Artemis Coat for men (a women’s version is also available in PDF and paper pattern format). This pattern has a lovely drape to it, is easy to throw on, and looked like it had some interesting features. Plus, it also includes the most important detail for all of us sewists... it has POCKETS!
MY STYLE
My style has developed rather a lot since learning to sew and, as I improve my skills, so does my ambition. I now enjoy making the clothes I like, not what fashion or the high street dictates I should wear.
I’m loving making vintage style clothes and clothes that have an unusual design style element. High waisted trousers have been seen on my work bench quite regularly as of late. This jacket, with its unusual pocket arrangement and lovely shawl collar really stood out to me as something that would work well in my wardrobe.
It’s not your usual jacket – it’s something a bit different. It has no lining, so is a single thickness of fabric, which makes it quick to make and easy to wear with other garments in my wardrobe and layer up.
I’ve recently made a pair of jeans using my own pattern, which this coat is going to pair nicely with. I have also made lots of my Turlough shirt patterns, which will be fab to pair with the jacket too.
FABRICS
I do love a nice wool fabric – it’s so lovely to work with and always looks great. The fabric I chose is a beautiful Lady McElroy 100% pure wool in a distinctive brown with blue check. The fabric is not too heavy or thick, so it’s nice to work with – it’s lovely and soft on the skin and the muted brown really appeals to me. I do love the challenge of working with a check fabric and deciding whether to pattern match or go abstract (I know what Patrick and Esme would want me to do!)
TIMINGS
I can be quite the speedy sewist when I need to be. That’s something about being on The Sewing Bee I think – it trains you to sew quickly and accurately. I probably spent a little more than an afternoon making the jacket. It does come together quite quickly, so it is not a long-winded project.
FAVOURITE PARTS AND CHALLENGES
I loved making the pockets on the jacket fronts especially. Such a great design, and a super idea for popping pockets onto a garment you’re making if the pattern doesn’t have them. Another design idea to add to my toolbox of sewing tricks!
The most challenging part was getting the shawl collar piece to s
