Besides the love of sewing itself, there’s another thing that sewists the world over have in common: the excitement we share for free sewing patterns. It’s not just about the zero cost, although that’s certainly a perk—it’s about the thrill of finding new designs, the joy of sharing those patterns with fellow sewists, and the satisfaction of bringing a piece of fabric to life. For novice sewists, free patterns are an excellent gateway into the world of sewing. They offer a low-risk way to practice new techniques, experiment with different silhouettes, and build confidence without the pressure of a financial investment.

Some free sewing patterns have proven themselves to be so good that they pretty much become viral. Case in point – the Paola Workwear Jacket pattern by the Fabrics-Store. A quick search on Instagram will show that this now infamous jacket pattern has well over 1,000 hashtags. Let’s take a deep dive into why so many sewists have decided to sew up their own iteration of this jacket and what makes it such a beloved go-to pattern.  

Get to Know Paola
In case you didn’t know, Fabrics-Store offers over 90 free sewing patterns for linen, ranging from shirts and trousers to dresses and even fitted bed sheets! But let’s focus on the main attraction: the Paola Workwear Jacket. It’s a free, downloadable, layered PDF pattern. Finding a classic, seasonless jacket pattern for free is a rare gem.

Now, let’s talk about its silhouette and size range. Inspired by traditional workwear styles, the Paola is boxy and offers a lot of wearing ease. Its generous shape and inclusive size range—going up to a 63.5” bust and 64” hip—make it a genderless pattern that fits all body types.

It’s All in the Details
The Paola features clean, simple details: two chest patch pockets, two hip patch pockets, a button-down front, a pointed collar, and long sleeves without fussy plackets or cuffs. It’s unlined, which makes this beginner-friendly pattern a quick sew. A facing replaces the lining for a neat finish, making this jacket perfect for multiple seasons. You can layer it over sweaters in the colder months or throw it on over a tee when it’s warmer.

And don’t forget about the collar! Constructed with just two pieces—the upper collar and the under collar—it doesn’t have a collar stand, which simplifies the sewing process and makes it even quicker to sew.

Infinite Opportunities for Customization
The Paola’s solidly drafted silhouette provides the perfect foundation for sewists to customize in countless ways. You can make simple modifications, like cropping the bodice to the waist or using snap closures instead of buttons. Or, you can completely alter its shape by adding new pattern pieces for a unique silhouette or using second-hand textiles like quilts or blankets for a fresh take on the workwear jacket trend.

The Paola Workwear Jacket Out in the Wild
Meet five talented sewists on Instagram who took the very same Paola Workwear Jacket pattern and made it their own. With unique fabric choices and creative tweaks, each of them put a fresh spin on the classic design, proving that one pattern can have endless possibilities. Scroll down to see how they’ve transformed this jacket into something totally original, each one a reflection of their personal style. 

Brandon, known as @happilydressed, is no stranger to Paola. His current version is a tutorial for a hack which features geometric-cool curved seamlines on the back bodice and along the front that ends in hidden pockets.

Bay Area-based sewist @made.by.michl added so much life to the pattern by using a gorgeous secondhand quilt. Michelle modified the pattern by lengthening the hem and added inseam pockets.

Over in the south of France, GéGé, who goes by @gege97two, took a different approach with his jacket by leaving off the collar, widening the sleeves, and adding a utilitarian-inspired back bodice pocket. Made in a thick wale corduroy in the perfect brown tone, this hacked Paola is completely elevated.

Maya, who is based in Belgium and goes by @hemelbreker, cooked up the most radical Paola I’ve ever seen! Her jacket, which was made from a vintage velvet tablecloth, features western details like fringe and swirling panels inspired by classic embroidered stitching on cowboy boots. 

Another Bay Area sewist, Ella of @handmademillenial, used the Paola pattern to spend quality time with her husband, Jason, teaching him how to sew his first big sewing project. Both their adorable matching jackets were hacked to include a lining, heavy-duty snaps instead of buttons, and interior pockets on the lining.

As a huge fan of the Paola, I’ve used the sewing pattern six times, and safe to say, it’s a staple in my collection of sewing patterns.

The first time I sewed up a Paola, I used an old, slightly tattered hexie flower quilt found at my local thrift shop. I made use of the quilt’s bound edges as the plackets and hems for the bodice and sleeves. Because of the way in which I utilized the bound edges, there wasn’t a need for a facing.

I loved how quick and easy my first Paola was, so I sewed a second one the next day. This iteration was made using a deadstock wool plaid and used the pattern as is; the only modification I made was to add a patch pocket to the interior chest. The third Paola I made was a gift for my friend, using the same deadstock plaid wool. I customized his by patchworking some red plaid flannel for the pockets; he loved how it turned out!

The fourth version of the jacket pattern came to fruition in the form of a black and white checkerboard flannel shacket, lengthened to mid-calf. I added snap buttons, flap closures to the two front chest pockets, swapped out the hip patch pockets for in-seam pockets, and last but not least, modified the sleeves to include a placket and snap-closure cuffs.

In my fifth and sixth versions,  I used the workwear jacket pattern as a block to create a cropped collarless jacket and a cropped vest, both of which were quilted and patchworked using both Fabrics-Store linen and secondhand fabrics I had in my stash.

Obsessed with this pattern, you may say I am.

The Paola Workwear Jacket shows just how versatile a simple pattern can be. It’s perfect for anyone looking to put their own mark on a classic silhouette, whether you’re a pro or just starting out. With endless options for customization and a supportive community of sewists, the Paola proves that a good pattern is all you need to create a garment that is undeniably unique.