The days grow shorter, the fabrics get thicker, and the urge to sew comes back stronger than ever: it's the perfect season to build a warm, handmade autumn wardrobe for the whole family. At ikatee, the back-to-school season for patterns begins gently, with well-cut jackets, soft cardigans, and trousers to see you through the first cold spells.
Rather than rushing headlong into a single design, we've gathered 10 autumn sewing patterns that work well together and often come in sizes ranging from baby to women's. Enough to build a cohesive wardrobe, one piece at a time, at the pace of your sewing evenings.
Pattern of the month: NAGANO, the zip-up jacket that ticks every box
Let's start with our latest design, fresh from the ikatee studio: NAGANO, a children's zip-up jacket pattern with a high collar and beautifully finished details. Designed for playground adventures as well as Sunday walks, it can be sewn in thick sweatshirt fleece, sherpa, or even lightweight lined wool fabric, depending on the level of warmth you want.
What makes NAGANO so appealing: its zipper gives the whole piece structure, its patch pockets are practical for cold hands, and its high collar really protects the neck without feeling restrictive. This is an intermediate to advanced pattern — allow an afternoon of sewing once you've got the instructions under your belt. If installing the zipper worries you, head over to the ikatee YouTube channel: our video tutorials cover the most frequently used construction techniques in detail (zipper, collar, finishing), so you can sew with confidence even at an intermediate level.
Cardigans and jackets for the whole family
Autumn is all about layering. Three patterns cover every age group:
- GRAND'OURSE (baby, 6 months-4 years) and its GRAND'OURSE KIDS version (3-12 years): a cardigan, jacket, or dressing gown depending on the version you choose, in fleece or sherpa, for little ones who are always on the move.
- VEGA: a knitted baby cardigan and jacket, perfect for an autumn newborn.
- VIENNE and VIENNE KIDS: a sleeveless cardigan, the ultimate transitional piece for days that are neither quite warm nor quite cold.
- RABAT: the women's version of the sleeveless cardigan, to sew in tweed or wool fabric for a chic, comfortable look at the office or on the weekend.
The ultimate cosy tip: sew the same cardigan pattern in several sizes (Vienne baby and Vienne Kids for children, for example) in coordinated fabrics, for a matching family look without going overboard.
The sweatshirt: a back-to-school staple
You can't talk about cosy sewing without mentioning sweatshirts. LIVERPOOL is a children's zip-up sweatshirt that can be sewn in one evening using thick sweatshirt fleece. It's the perfect pattern for getting started with sewing warm clothes without technical complications: few pieces, a central zipper that's accessible even to brave beginners, and a result that lasts much longer than a ready-made sweatshirt.
Bottoms that keep up with every move
An autumn wardrobe isn't limited to the upper body. Two women's patterns complete the selection beautifully:
- BERLIN: elastic-waist trousers (and shorts, for those still-mild late-summer days), comfortable for everyday wear, to sew in fine-wale corduroy or taffeta for the season.
- SINGAPOUR: the same accessible trouser concept, with a slightly different cut, to make in flannel for cooler days.
And if you're craving a skirt without giving up warmth, SANTIAGO looks great over opaque tights, with a sweater or Rabat cardigan layered on top.
A shirt that works across the seasons
Finally, if you're looking for a piece that adapts just as well to autumn as to the rest of the year, AMSTERDAM remains a reliable choice. This versatile shirt pattern takes on a completely different look depending on the fabric you choose: in checked flannel or lightweight wool, it becomes a true autumn staple, worn on its own or under a Rabat cardigan.
How to choose your first autumn project
With ten patterns on the table, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few pointers to help you decide:
You're a beginner or getting back to sewing after a summer break. Choose LIVERPOOL (children's sweatshirt) or VIENNE (baby/children's sleeveless cardigan): few pieces, simple techniques, and a wearable result from your very first attempt.
You've already sewn a few garments. NAGANO or GRAND'OURSE will help you improve your zipper installation and collar construction while remaining approachable with a little method.
You want to dress the whole family in a coordinated way. Start with the fabric rather than the pattern: choose a material (sherpa, sweatshirt fleece, wool fabric) and use it across several patterns in different sizes — Vega for a baby, Vienne Kids for a child, Rabat for a woman, for example.
Our fabric tips for a successful autumn
The choice of fabric makes all the difference with these warm designs. For jackets and cardigans (NAGANO, GRAND'OURSE, VEGA), choose thick brushed sweatshirt fleece or soft sherpa, which insulate without adding bulk to the silhouette. For trousers (BERLIN, SINGAPOUR), fine-wale corduroy remains a must for its comfort and durability. And for the AMSTERDAM shirt or SANTIAGO skirt, cotton flannel offers both warmth and lightness, without ever becoming stiff to sew.
Let's sew the back-to-school season together
These ten patterns are just a starting point: the strength of a handmade wardrobe is precisely that it can evolve project by project, as your tastes and skills develop. This week, we're putting the NAGANO pattern in the spotlight — its zip-up jacket deserves pride of place in children's autumn wardrobes, combining approachable technical details with a result that lasts for several seasons.
Ready to get started? Find the NAGANO pattern now at ikatee.fr, with step-by-step instructions for sewing a jacket worthy of the finest boutiques — made by your hands.
