Tabby Jacket

Description

The Tabby Jacket features the same easy square armhole construction and kimono-style band as our signature pattern, the Tabula Rasa Jacket, in sizes 2 – 12 for kids. This simple pattern is designed for kids to sew for themselves following Fit for Art’s thorough step-by-step illustrated instructions, with additional prompts for a helping adult.  Or, of course, an adult sewist can make the jacket for kids in their lives, maybe even to coordinate with a friend or family member’s Tabula Rasa Jacket!  Select digital or print format.

After mastering the basic jacket, the sewist can make a sleeveless Tabby Vest with this pattern or add fun details to a jacket or vest including pockets, cuffs and closures.  A more experienced sewist can explore the more advanced techniques included in the instruction booklet such as  staystitching, seam finishing, use of interfacing and shoulder supports.

Find more support for sewing with kids and the Tabby Jacket pattern in Kids’ Jacket Help.

Our sizes are based on the wearer’s measurement in inches at the chest and hips. To give a sense of ease in the garment’s design, we also provide the finished measurement of the jacket and vest at chest and hips. The finished length of the jacket from nape of neck to hem is also included in the size chart on the back of the pattern envelope.

We recommend that the first jacket be made in cotton quilting weight fabric while learning the sewing techniques and construction method. For additional jackets or vests, all kinds of woven fabrics are suitable such as denim, canvas, corduroy, flannel, or rayon. Stable knits, such as fleece, ponte, and French terry, may also be used with some adjustments to fit due to the ease in stretch fabrics.  Fabric requirements are given in yards and are sufficient for fabric with or without nap or a directional pattern; yardage assumes that all pattern pieces will be cut from a single fabric. The fabric estimates are generous for the basic pattern pieces and will also accommodate some of the add-ons. ½ yard of contrast fabric is enough for all of the add-on pattern pieces (shoulder supports, pockets, and cuffs).

The basic jacket or vest also requires 3/4 yard of fusible interfacing; more may be needed if adding shoulder supports or cuffs.  Thread to match and optional buttons, snaps, hooks, or other closures.  For guidance on fabric yardage when mixing fabrics, please see Kids’ Jacket Help under Helpful Hints.

Read more about the development of the Tabby Jacket pattern in Meet the Tabby Jacket and how its construction differs from the adult version Tabula Rasa Jacket in Easy to Sew Tabby.

About Digital Patterns

Digital patterns are in PDF format and may be downloaded on your computer or mobile device. Each digital pattern may be downloaded three times only, so please save your files in a safe place after downloading.  Be sure you have created an account on our website so you will be able to access the pattern to download in the future.  All digital patterns include  a pdf of the Instruction Book with information on design, fabrication and construction and a zip file containing:

• Directions for how to print your digital pattern
• An A0 format pattern that can be taken to a copy shop to print
• A tiled pattern that can be printed at home on U.S. letter sized paper or A4 paper

For more information on digital patterns, please visit our Digital Patterns FAQ page.