Denim is universal; it matches everything and you can work it into virtually every style there is. Over the top embellishments have been huge lately, and even if you typically like a classic jean jacket, everyone needs a little bit of flair every once in a while. Feathers have been a special favorite in recent shows, and since festival season is about to be in full swing, I figured we’d take the opportunity to make this classic silhouette a little more of a statement piece.
Fabrics & materials used:
- 3 yards Charcoal Stretch Cotton Denim
- 2 yards 6″ Single Ply Blue Ostrich Fringe
- 2 pkgs Silver Dritz 6 Jean Buttons
- 2 spools Extra Strong Thread
- MDF048 – The Oak Jacket Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Step 1
Begin by sewing your center front and middle front jacket panels like you see above. Next, attach your side front panel, with the pocket piece sandwiched in between like below.
Step 2
Using a twin needle, stitch your seam allowance down.
Step 3
Fold your pocket in half so your middle front panel meets the side front panel. Stitch both panels together above the pocket and then stitch down the seam allowance.
Step 4
Face your chest pocket flaps by stitching 2 with the right sides together. Flip them right side out, press, and edge-stitch.
Step 5
Press the raw edges of your chest pocket 1/2″ toward the wrong side and press. Double fold the top edge and stitch down. Place the pocket over the middle front panel of your jacket, about 1″ from the top, and stitch into place with a twin needle.
Step 6
Pin the pocket flap along the raw edge above the pocket and stay-stitch.
Step 7
Add your front yoke, sandwiching the pocket flap into the seam, and then fold the yoke upward and stitch down the seam allowance.
Step 8
Pin and stay-stitch the bottom of your jacket along the waistband, closing your lower pocket lining.
Step 9
Attach your back yoke to your front panels at the shoulders.
Step 10
Add your side back panels to either side of your center back and attach the entire thing at the side seams of your jacket. Don’t sew to the yoke yet, as that’s where the feathers will go later.
Step 11
Next, create your sleeve like you see below, combining the upper and lower panels at the underarm seam.
Step 12
Attach your sleeves to your jacket, aligning the open seam of your sleeve with the open seam of your jacket’s back yoke.
Step 13
Pin your feathers along the open back seam.
Step 14
Fold the facing at the bottom of your sleeves back and edge-stitch over the feather casing. Pin the remainder of the open yoke and sleeve seams closed, faces of your denim together with the feathers sandwiched in between.
Step 15
Add the cuffs of your sleeves to the bottom, gathering two pleats toward the back, like you see above. Place your facing over the cuff, sew along the 3 lower edges, pull right side out, and press. Edge-stitch all four sides, securing the final open side in the process.
Step 16
Double fold the center front of your jacket to create the button plackets and edge-stitch, like you can see above.
Step 17
Next, add your collar to the neckline of your jacket and face it the same way you faced the sleeve cuffs.
Step 18
Lastly, use the buttonhole foot on your machine to add holes along the front placket, as well as the cuffs of your sleeves. Use a Dritz jean button kit to add corresponding buttons.
What color feather will you be putting on your jacket? Let me know in the comments!
Thank you very pretty.
Thank you for sharing such a versatile jacket pattern. What size is the jacket shown here?
Thanks for visiting the blog! 🙂 This sample was made in a size 8.
Quick question. I’m new to this. when you say “seem allowance 1/2 inch” does that mean I need to add to the pattern or is it already included in the size?
It’s already included! 🙂
Hi! Is this essentially the same jacket as https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/the-elnath-cosplay-free-sewing-pattern/ ?
Hi there! They’re a little bit different. The Oak Jacket has more panels on the front of the jacket, and the Elnath has a panel on the sleeve that the Oak lacks. The Oak also has pockets 🙂
How much stretch does this pattern require? Can I make the Jacket out of a canvas material?
Certainly! Stretch is not actually required for this pattern, I just loved the stretch denim and decided to work with it. 🙂
There are no instructions to finish off the lower edge. I am in the middle of making mine and can’t wait to add the feathers. It looks great
Can you make this jacket with heavyweight linen?
Hi Dottie, I think that would look great! 🙂
Good day!
I have recently retired and I have taken up leatherwork as a hobby. So far I have made a a mask and I am busy with a top hat and I have my first order for another.
I have downloaded this pattern and I will try to make one (mens) out of leather, once I have completed my present projects and I have got some suitable hides. It will all be sown by hand. I will probably use edging where you fold.
It would be nice if there was a download link for the instructions. I have made screenshots but that necessitates a lot of overlaps.
I have a question. Why do the front and back yoke not fit with their corresponding panels?
I’m checking the pattern before cutting into fabric and I can’t understand it.
Can someone help me?
Hi, Patricia! The yokes fit with their corresponding panels once seam allowance is removed. If they aren’t matching up, it may be a slight printer error.
Ok, I will check the print to find the problem. Thanks!!!
Is this in American sizes? Just so I cut the correct size as I am in the UK. Do you have a conversion chart?
Hi Lorraine! You can select the correct size based on the measurement chart included in this post. 😀
Hi Patricia,
I just cut out the pattern and I’m having an issue with the back pieces too. The lower back pieces are full length and not shortened to make room for the yoke. You’ll need to cut off the overlapping lower back pieces to make room so the yoke can fit for properly. I’m using an old jean jacket for comparison and the rest of the pattern looks great! Happy sewing! Anne
Hi Lee! Just wanted to check before I get cutting: are the measurements in the size chart the *body* measurements for that oversized fit, or the finished *garment* measurements? Thanks for such cool and gender-expansive patterns — one of the reasons I love sewing!
Hi Wren! The measurements here are for body measurements. And thank you for your kind words-we work hard to keep our patterns gender-inclusive! 😀
Hello! Have you considered recording video tutorials for some of your projects? As a newcomer to sewing, some of the terms and instructions are a little unclear.
There really are zero instructions here on how to attach the waistband, and the instructions for the collar are very limited. Also, my collar was significantly too short. (I’m quite certain I cut out all the pieces for a size 8, and used 1/2″ seam allowance for all seams)
Hello!
Thank you for your feedback. Most of the instructions on our 350+ patterns, especially these older ones, do reflect their no-cost nature. But we understand your frustration!
We’ve since improved our instructions on newer patterns, offering more thorough guidance! We appreciate your engagement and invite you to explore these updated options for a better sewing experience!
Best regards,
Mood Sewciety Team
Are there any instructions for adding the bottom band to the jacket?
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
I finally get to the newest comments and everything makes sense. This is my first free Mood pattern and I was just hoping for a very basic denim jacket that I could customize and this certainly delivered the basic shapes I was looking for.. Fortunately I’ve made plenty of jackets in the past and can figure out how to attach a waistband on my own. Thanks for maintaining this cool resource!
Hi I have received the link via e-mail but link do not open.
Hello, Please email info@moodfabrics.com for any issues with pattern downloads.