Introducing the Sherpa Coat Pattern

Introducing the Sherpa Jacket pattern. A super cosy winter project that’s beginner-friendly, with no need for a lining.

This is a project I’ve been working on for the past few weeks, and I’m so happy to finally share it with you. I took my time testing and refining every step to make this pattern as accessible as possible, and I truly feel like I achieved that. I hope it comes across how much care and thought went into this design.

I made this jacket and I’ve been wearing it ever since. Funny story: when I told my friend I made myself a jacket, I put it on and said “ta-da”, and she genuinely thought I bought it or found it in a vintage store. She did not believe I made it myself.

Since then, I’ve been getting so many compliments on it. It gives beautiful vintage vibes, and at the same time, it’s so easy to make.

Design details and construction

This jacket has a built-in collar, a back made of two pieces with a topstitch, and sleeves that are also topstitched. When I designed the Elodie Coat, I added a topstitch along the sleeve seam and absolutely loved the look, so I decided to do the same here.

Because I used corduroy, which already has vertical lines, the topstitching is a bit more subtle. If you use a different fabric, those lines will be more visible, and also very beautiful. Topstitching adds such a lovely finish and gives the garment that extra sense of quality.

What is sherpa fabric?

For this jacket, I used a corduroy sherpa fabric. It’s a fabric made of two layers fused together. One side is a soft, fleece-like sherpa layer that gives warmth, and the outside can be corduroy, suede, or something similar.

What makes this fabric so special, and what made it perfect for this project, is that you can separate the two layers simply by pulling them apart. This works beautifully because the fabric does not fray, and you can achieve a really clean finish. You can even leave some seams raw if you like.

If you’re thinking of making this jacket, it’s very important to choose a similar fabric, or at least a fabric where the layers can be separated. That is key for this construction.

Sewing the jacket

When it comes to sewing, it honestly only took me one day to cut all the pieces and make it. It’s very beginner-friendly, and even if you’re new to sewing, you can absolutely do it.

For this pattern, the seam allowance changes in certain areas. On the side seams, you use 1 cm seam allowance. On areas like the top of the pocket or the front edges, you use 2 cm seam allowance. This extra fabric allows you to double fold the edge and topstitch it for a really clean finish.

I’ll admit, I was a little bit stressed cutting into this fabric. I think a lot of people will relate to that feeling. Cutting into a fabric you’ve saved for a while, especially when it feels special, can be scary. But once you start, it comes together so nicely.

Pockets and finishing details

The jacket has unfinished seams on the inside, which are visible and intentionally exposed. That’s part of the design, and it works beautifully with this type of fabric.

I also added two large front pockets, both as a design feature and for practicality. You can make the pocket opening slightly smaller or larger, depending on your preference.

If you watch the sewing tutorial I posted on YouTube, you’ll also see that you can fold out the top edge of the pocket to show the sherpa fabric. This adds a lovely contrast and is a beautiful option if you want to highlight the texture.

Buttons or ties?

When I was sewing the jacket, my plan was always to add buttons. That was the idea from the beginning. However, towards the end of the project, I started thinking about adding a bow tie fastening at the front instead.

Using the same corduroy fabric, I made a small sample with two ties and attached them at the front. You can see this version in the photos, where I’m trying the jacket on in both versions.

In the end, because this is a winter jacket, I decided I’d rather have it wrapped properly and feel warmer, so I went with the buttons. That said, I really love the bow version. It looks very adorable, and I’m even thinking about making a spring version in a different fabric, with the bow fastening.

Fit, warmth, and all my thoughts

The fit is perfectly relaxed. You can comfortably wear a sweater underneath without it feeling tight, and you can really see in the photos how nicely oversized it is. The collar is also quite high, and when worn up, it gives extra warmth around the neck, which I really love for winter.

I also shared the link to the exact fabric I used in my Instagram stories.

I highly recommend giving this pattern a try. It’s honestly one of my favourite designs I’ve ever made, because of how simple it is, how beautiful it looks, and how beginner-friendly the construction is. I feel like this project combines everything I care about when designing patterns: a good fit, clear construction, and accessibility. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to make this jacket work for as many people as possible, and I truly hope you love it as much as I do.

Happy sewing,

Karolina