Made By A Fabricista: The Art of the Slow Make: My La Forme Double-Breasted Jacket

I started this project back in July — one of those mid-summer sewing plans meant to get me ahead for fall. My idea was simple: start my wardrobe a season (or two) early so that when cooler weather came, I’d already have a few handmade pieces ready to wear. That was the plan, anyway. But as sewing often reminds us, plans evolve.

This jacket, made using La Forme pattern No. 0303, is a double-breasted design with peak lapels and an exaggerated hip detail that gives it such a striking silhouette. I fell in love with the structure of the pattern right away — it has that timeless, tailored feel I can never resist — but it also asked for patience. I picked it up and put it down several times over the months, letting it rest while I worked on other projects, until finally, the timing felt right to bring it to life.

And now, here we are — the leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and some parts of the country are even seeing snow. My summer-started jacket is finally finished, and it couldn’t feel more right for the moment. 

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The Fabric: A Familiar Favorite

For this make, I used a yellow, silver, and white stretch bouclé suiting— a fabric I’ve actually sewn with before. The first time, I turned it into a coordinating mini skirt and a large bow accessory, both of which I still love and wear often. I’m all about fabrics that work hard in the wardrobe, and this one checks every box. It’s warm, easy to sew, and doesn’t fray like non-knit bouclés sometimes do.

That said, if you’re planning something structured — like this jacket — block fusing is essential. It helps the fabric keep its shape and ensures your finished garment maintains that beautiful, crisp structure over time.

 

The Sewing Experience

This was my first time working with a La Forme pattern, and while I love the drafting, I’d definitely say this one is best suited for more experienced sewists. The pattern doesn’t include illustrations — only bullet-point construction notes — so it requires some familiarity with jacket tailoring techniques and order of operations.

Because I’ve made quite a few jackets over the years, I added some of my usual tailoring touches: a back stay for stability and longevity (and a bit of extra warmth), sleeve heads made of fleece for a soft yet structured shoulder line, and sturdy shoulder pads to give the top of the jacket that classic, balanced shape. I always find that paying close attention to the inside of the garment is what really makes it feel refined and professionally finished.

One of my favorite details, though, might be the buttons. I stumbled upon a vintage-style cover button kit at my local fabric store — there was only one pack, and it had just four buttons! They caught my eye because they had a silver rim, which is surprisingly hard to find online. That little metallic edge ended up being the perfect finishing touch, tying in beautifully with the silver threads running through the bouclé. It’s such a small detail, but it adds just the right amount of polish and personality.

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On Slow Making

What I love most about this project isn’t just the finished jacket — it’s the process. There’s something deeply satisfying about letting a project unfold at its own pace. Sometimes, creativity needs breathing room. We live in a world that celebrates fast results, but in sewing, slowing down can be a kind of luxury. Each time I came back to this project, I saw it with fresh eyes and more patience.

Now, I have a jacket that feels timeless — not tied to any one season, but perfectly at home in my wardrobe. And when I style it with the matching mini skirt and bow from my earlier make, it feels like the perfect expression of thoughtful, layered making: connected pieces, sewn at different times, that tell one continuous story.

Shimere  |  @shim.sew.creative