Paola Workwear jacket has to be one of my favorite patterns. I made my first version in corduroy and I wrote about it here. I had enough leftover white denim from Persephone pants which ended up being the perfect fit for this jacket. I wear it spring through autumn all the time and it is one of the most worn pieces in my wardrobe for sure.

Pattern Name: Paola Workwear Jacket

Pattern company: FabricStore.com

Size: 0/2

Personal highlights: Free sewing pattern, Fairly quick make

Update on downloading the free pattern: Paola Workwear jacket is still a free downoaladble patter but to access it for free you need to create an account on FabricsStore.com website and sign in. Click the Free Download link and create an account or sign in to your existing account and you’ll receive the link to the pattern via a pop-up notification!

A close up of a white denim jacket made from a free sewing pattern Paola Workwear jacket. The jacket is buttoned up with three bottom buttons

 

A woman wearing sunglasses, a white buttoned jacket made from a free sewing pattern Paola Workwear Jacket, and light green shorts stands in front of a stone wall, looking to the side.

One thing about this pattern though is that I get gaping at the back. That was somewhat less noticeable with the corduroy version and I was not bothered by it at the time. Over the years I went back and updated that version and I will write a follow up blog post on that soon. With this thicker denim though, the gaping was very noticeable and I started to look for ways of how to fix it so I added 2 back darts. They solve the issue and add some details to the back but are also not as noticeable either so it worked perfectly. Next time, I will try and fix this in the pattern before cutting out. I think this is happening because of my sway back, but even with having to add that minor tweak to the pattern is fine. It is a free (but brilliant) pattern after all and not everyone would have this issue anyway.

Back view of the free sewing pattern Paola Workwear jacket made in a white denim. A woman wearing it is turned away, standing in fron of a stone wall

I added two patch pockets at the front that are perfect size to fit a phone or keys. The brown big buttons add the perfect contrast to the white denim and make this jacket a bit more interesting. I really like that you can add as many or as little as you want and each time you would end up with a slightly different jacket. I really love this jacket and wear it all the time. Surprisingly, I manage to go about without getting it dirty which is unbelievable. But even if I do I just throw it into the wash, iron it and we are back out there together living the life. When I wrote about the Persephone’s I made out of this fabric I wrote about wearing white garments and if that is the best idea for me. But I managed to wear both garments without any major mishaps. So far!

Close up of a patch pocket on a white denim Paola Workwear Jacket, a free sewing pattern

A woman wearing sunglasses, a white buttoned jacket made from free sewing pattern Paola Woarkwear Jacket, and light green shorts stands in front of a stone wall, looking down while buttoning up the jacket.

A woman wearing sunglasses, a white buttoned jacket made from free sewing pattern Paola Workwear jacket, and light green shorts stands in front of a stone wall, looking to the side.

FabricStore.com has other free patterns and I really want to try a few more. I already have a list, now I just need to find the time and the right fabric for each. If and when I do get to them I will report back here with a review but I am sure they will be timeless like this one.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

Ana