The Foreman Jacket

I bought the paper pattern on a visit to Merchant & Mills in Rye last year on the understanding that I would get it made up fairly soon for my husband – finally managed it 6 months later! I understand now that M&M’s have stopped making this as a paper pattern but it can still be bought as a PDF.

The pattern itself is printed on a lightweight paper or heavyweight tissue depending on how you look at it and the instructions are clear and easy to follow.

I initially measured my husband (shoulder width, sleeve length, chest etc) and then made a toile of the size 36 with the adjustments – it was too small! So I made a second toile in a straight 36 with no amendments and the fit was almost perfect. I just shortened the sleeves by ¾ inch. My husband is 5’4” with a 38”chest. I was very pleased that was the only adjustment I had to make.

I made it up in some mid-weight dark blue non stretch denim.

The overall construction of the jacket was incredibly straightforward as this is a simple workwear jacket design. However as the denim frayed quite a bit and because I wanted to make this extra special I decided to bind all the seams. I gave my husband the choice of binding and he picked a bright orange viscose binding from my stash.

I also lined the pockets by cutting a section of lining fabric slightly larger than the finished pocket and then hand stitching it on. Of course you could probably sew the lining onto the pocket and bag it out somehow. Lining the pockets was an afterthought after I had made them which is why I did it that way.

I also used the same lining fabric as the under collar stand and added a hanging loop in too.

I decided to take my time with this – a slow sew and was really pleased with the finished item as was my husband.

Overall a straightforward jacket (especially if you don’t bind all the seams!) and I can see myself making more of these for him.

For more pictures checkout my instagram @denbeesewswhat