Certainly not me!! I’m usually not one to go against my set plans, and this pattern was not in my 12 month pattern design plan…but I just couldn’t help myself. Too many requests from sewers out there for more boy pattens and after Uptown Girl was released I got lots of emails and requests for a similar style jacket for little boys. It just didn’t seem fair that the girls could have a stylish jacket this winter and the boys had to miss out!
So, let me present…
(yeah, yeah I know the name is a little corny…couldn’t help myself!)
Funky pockets on the front and sleeve of the jacket provide both practicality as well as masculine style.
Downtown boy can easily be made reversible with the use of a reversible zipper resulting in two cool jackets in one!
You may remember I mentioned starting on this pattern the day I went into labour with Tommy. I got heaps done that day, but then it sat on hold for the next few weeks. I actually don’t know how I managed to get it all nutted out and written up so quickly, but it all just seemed to flow came together nicely. (Or maybe I am just nutty!)
Anyways, I’m thinking this jacket is pretty cool. The boys in my household give it the thumbs up and I’ve even had my brother and brother-in-law request one in a bigger size for them to wear. I always worry when designing a pattern for boys that it is going to be too babyish and not appeal to older children, so I’m glad this one is appealing to big boys!
The jacket is padded with pellon. It works really nicely, not too thick but still nice and warm. I’ve had a go using light-weight pellon (the blue jacket) and a thicker one (the brown jacket) and they both work really well depending on the warmth and look you are wanting. You could also use a home decorating weight fabric or cord and no padding for a lighter, warmer weather jacket.
Downtown Boy can also be a fully reversible jacket. You just have to replace the jacket zipper with a reversible jacket zipper. Unfortunately in Australia I haven’t been able to find anywhere that sells a reversible jacket zipper – can anyone out there help? I have seen them available in America though but can’t see an online store to purchase them from. You could always go for a button closure option down the front if you aren’t comfortable with inserting a zipper, but trust me, it is not as difficult as it looks.
So, if you are looking for a fun, trendy winter sewing project for your little boy, then look no further! Head over to the Make It Perfect website to see more photos and check out the fabric requirements for Downtown Boy.
If you have a store and want to stock this or any other Make It Perfect patterns, contact Creative Abundance to place an order.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Downtown Boy for yourself, they should be popping up in retail stores very soon. Ask your favourite store to get one in for you!
Keep checking back…I’ll get a giveaway sorted in the next few days!
