After buying the pattern in 2021, I recently decided to be brave and just get this project done. I had somehow convinced myself that my sewing skills weren’t up to this ‘advanced beginner’ pattern, I don’t know why. Maybe because it’s lined and I had a bad experience trying to make a lined jacket years ago for a costume?

Well, when I actually got started, I found this jacket to be a very satisfying and easy to make. I got it done in about a week, cutting to sewing.

My Pekka jacket, freshly made

I took VERY direct inspiration and direction from this excellent blog post on Ready to Wear’s website and used Merchant & Mills quilted cotton for the shell, and a very bright and fun Lisa Congdon x Nerida Hansen cotton sateen for the lining, both of which I bought locally from Gather Here in Cambridge, MA.

Protip from me on the Merchant and Mills quilted cotton: The wrong side of the fabric, which is what gives the fabric its bulk and warmth, is a lot of loose yarns! It makes quite a mess when working with it, and in my case my sewing station is in a room with carpet and it’s been a bit of a trial vacuuming out all the loose bits embedded in the carpet. Worth it, but just be warned!

I have been wearing this nonstop since I made it. It is absolutely perfect for chilly New England autumn days, and sewing it up was a breeze – I will be making it again in slightly less ‘cozy’ fabric for more around-the-town wear soon.