The Art of
Outerwear
Let's get started.
Welcome to the Art of Outerwear!
This workshop will guide you through creating three completely different pieces of outwear. You'll master a huge range of sewing techniques and develop skills to last a lifetime.
Take your time navigating the workshop and enjoy learning at your own rhythm. We can't wait to see what you create!
Your Projects
Over the course of The Art of Outerwear series you’ll learn a huge range of different skills. We recommend sewing your pieces in the order shared below so you can slowly build on your knowledge. Have a read and familiarise yourself with what you’ll be sewing for each project.
Darcy Coat
We recommend starting with the Darcy Coat which will focus on how to sew a fully lined coat with welt pockets. This workshop will give you a groundwork of knowledge to apply to the next two projects.
Skills:
- Welt pockets
- Front Darts
- Sleeves & Sleeves Tabs
- Belt & Belt Loops
- Attaching a Lining
- Inserting the Collar
- Attaching the Outer Shell and Lining Shell
- Pressing
- Hand Sewn Finishing Techniques
- Buttons & Button Holes
Naomi Blazer
Moving on to the Naomi Blazer you’ll be adding to your skills to create something that's much more smart, tailored and fitted.
Skills:
- Welt pockets
- Slanted welt pocket
- Sewing darts
- Collar and lapel shaping
- Adding a back vent
- Inserting a two-piece fitted sleeve
- Adding shoulder pads and sleeve rolls
- Adding a lining
- Slip stitching & invisible stitching
- Pressing
- Topstitching
- Seam grading
- Buttons & button holes
Potters Jacket
Lastly we recommend sewing an unlined jacket using the Potters Jacket pattern. You'll be able to follow the step-by-step photos for the Unlined Darcy Coat for this.
Skills:
- How to sew a gusset pocket
- Sewing french seams (including a french seamed armhole)
- Sewing an unlined coat to a high standard
- How to attach snap fastenings
Getting Started
Brush up on your skills with our getting started videos series, teaching you the basics before you begin your projects. The video series will cover:
- Your Tool Kit
- Threading & Trouble Shooting
- Choosing Your Fabric
- Patterns & Lay Planning
- Cutting Your Fabric
- Fusing
- Binding
- Practise Your Seams
The Fitting Guide
Our fitting page for Tops, Shirts and Jackets will guide you through finding your size and making fit adjustments to your garment.
- Finding your measurements and choosing your size
- Grading between sizes
- Shorten or lengthen pattern pieces
- Full bust adjustment with a dart
- Full bust adjustment without a dart
- Increasing the size of a dart
- Narrow Shoulder Adjustment
- Wide Shoulder Adjustment
- High Rounded Back Adjustment
- Bicep Adjustment
Inspiration
Here are some of our favourite outerwear focussed blog posts to help you get creative! (Please note that some posts mention hack ideas that are now included in the updated patterns).
What's next?
The Art of Trouser Making is the ideal next step after your shirt-making journey, building on the techniques you've just learned and helping you grow in confidence with new, complementary skills and garment construction.
