A cozy, easy-wearing zip-up bomber made in a soft, stable knit like French terry or sweatshirt fleece. The body is relaxed and boxy with dropped shoulders, while ribbed knit at the stand collar, cuffs and waistband hugs the wrists and low hip. It closes with an exposed separating zipper, and two patch pockets meet at the zip to form a split kangaroo pocket with slanted hand openings.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern in A4 and US Letter, and sew your own bomber sweatshirt!
Materials
- Main fabric: 1.2–1.3 m (1 3/8–1 1/2 yd) of 150 cm (60″) wide fabric, or 1.4–1.9 m (1 5/8–2 1/8 yd) of 115 cm (45″) wide fabric. Choose a medium-weight knit with 15–40% stretch: French terry, sweatshirt fleece, ponte, scuba, double knit or quilted knit. Sherpa and boiled-wool knits work too
- Ribbing: 0.3 m (3/8 yd) of 1×1 or 2×2 rib knit, at least 115 cm (45″) wide, with 50% stretch or more, matching or contrast
- Separating (open-end) zipper, medium weight #5: 60 cm (24″) for sizes 00–4, 65 cm (26″) for sizes 6–22, shortened to fit
- Fusible knit interfacing: 0.1 m (1/8 yd) for the pocket openings
- Polyester thread, ballpoint needles 80/12 or 90/14, a 4.0 mm stretch twin needle, a zipper foot and clips
Avoid very drapey or very stretchy jersey: the body sags and the zipper ripples. For thick fabrics such as sherpa or heavy fleece, or to wear it over a warm sweater, go one size up.
Pattern pieces
- Front, main fabric: cut 2 (a left and a right)
- Back, main fabric: cut 1 (single layer, not on a fold)
- Sleeve, main fabric: cut 2
- Collar Stand, ribbing: cut 1
- Waistband, ribbing: cut 1
- Patch Pocket, main fabric: cut 2
- Pocket Interfacing, fusible interfacing: cut 2
- Sleeve Cuff, ribbing: cut 2
Keep the greatest stretch going around the body. On the rib pieces the stretch runs along the length of the band. The Back is drawn whole: cut it on a single layer. For pairs, flip the pattern piece over for the second piece. If your ribbing is narrower than the waistband, cut the waistband in two halves at center back and add 1 cm (3/8″) to each cut end.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern
One file per size, in the paper format that suits you. Share your finished sweatshirt with #cozysewpatterns!
A0 + Step-by-step guideGet it here ↓Unzip the folder first. Print page 1 at 100% (actual size) and measure the 10 cm (4″) calibration square before printing the rest. Trim the margins and tape the pages together, matching the markers. The A0 file comes with the illustrated guide below.
Sizing guide
Drafted for a height of 1.68 m (5′6″). Choose your size by bust measurement. This is a relaxed sweatshirt with about 18–22 cm (7–8 1/2″) of ease at the chest: between two sizes, take the smaller one for a neater fit or the larger one for a roomier look.
Letter sizes: 00 = XXS · 0/2 = XS · 4/6 = S · 8/10 = M · 12/14 = L · 16 = XL · 18 = 2XL · 20 = 3XL · 22 = 4XL
Body measurements (cm)
| cm | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 80 | 82.5 | 85 | 87.75 | 90.25 | 92.75 | 95.25 | 99.25 | 104.25 | 109.25 | 114.25 | 119.25 | 124.25 |
| Waist | 63.5 | 66 | 68.75 | 71.25 | 73.75 | 76.25 | 78.75 | 82.75 | 87.5 | 93.25 | 99 | 104.75 | 110.5 |
| Hips | 87.75 | 90.25 | 92.75 | 95.25 | 98 | 100.25 | 102.75 | 106.5 | 111 | 115.5 | 120.75 | 125.75 | 130.75 |
Body measurements (inches)
| in | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 31.5 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 39.1 | 41.0 | 43.0 | 45.0 | 46.9 | 48.9 |
| Waist | 25.0 | 26.0 | 27.1 | 28.1 | 29.0 | 30.0 | 31.0 | 32.6 | 34.4 | 36.7 | 39.0 | 41.2 | 43.5 |
| Hips | 34.5 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 38.6 | 39.5 | 40.5 | 41.9 | 43.7 | 45.5 | 47.5 | 49.5 | 51.5 |
Finished garment measurements (cm)
| cm | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 101.6 | 103.4 | 105.2 | 107.1 | 109.2 | 111.2 | 113.5 | 116.7 | 120.8 | 125 | 129.3 | 133.3 | 137.7 |
| Waistband (relaxed) | 74.4 | 76.1 | 77.7 | 79.2 | 81.4 | 83.2 | 85.2 | 88.3 | 92 | 95.7 | 99.9 | 104 | 107.9 |
| Back length | 63.6 | 63.8 | 64 | 64.2 | 64.4 | 64.5 | 64.8 | 65.1 | 65.4 | 65.8 | 66.3 | 66.7 | 67.2 |
| Sleeve length | 54.2 | 54.6 | 55.1 | 55.1 | 55.4 | 55.5 | 55.5 | 54.9 | 54.9 | 54.8 | 54.6 | 54.9 | 55.5 |
| Zipper opening | 58.6 | 59 | 59.3 | 59.8 | 60.2 | 60.6 | 61 | 61.7 | 62.4 | 62.9 | 63.3 | 63.7 | 64.1 |
Fabric and notions per size
| 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm / 60″ wide (m) | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| 115 cm / 45″ wide (m) | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Ribbing 115 cm / 45″ (m) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Zipper (cm) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Sewing notes
Fit and style
Boxy and relaxed through the body, gathered in by the rib waistband at the low hip and by the cuffs at the wrists. The collar stand curves down to nothing at the zipper. To change the length, add or remove the same amount at the lower edge of the Front, Back and Patch Pocket.
Fabrics
French terry and sweatshirt fleece are the easiest choices. Test the ribbing: 10 cm (4″) folded should stretch to at least 15 cm (6″) and spring back. Use clips instead of pins on thick knits and a walking foot if you have one.
Cutting out
Clip notches only 3 mm deep and mark the pocket placement line on the right side of each Front. On thick fabric, trim seam allowances to 5 mm after stitching to reduce bulk.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Seam allowances are 1 cm (3/8″). Use a serger, or a narrow zigzag about 0.5 mm wide and 2.5–3 mm long, and do not stretch the main fabric as you sew.
- Make the patch pockets: hem the slanted openings with a twin needle and topstitch them to the fronts.
- Sew the shoulder seams, with stay tape if you like.
- Sew the sleeves to the armholes flat.
- Sew the side and sleeve seams in one line.
- Attach the cuffs, stretching the rib to fit.
- Attach the waistband the same way.
- Attach the collar stand to the neckline.
- Shorten and insert the zipper, basting first so both sides match.
- Final press with a pressing cloth.
Stuck on a step? Sew it with pictures.
The steps above are a quick overview. The full illustrated guide walks you through every step with clear drawings: the patch pockets and twin-needle hems, sewing knits on a regular machine, the rib cuffs, waistband and collar, and shortening and inserting the separating zipper. It also includes the A0 pattern file.
- Illustrated diagrams for every step
- Before-you-begin checklist and fit tips
- Video guides with QR codes for the key techniques
- A0 pattern file included
- Printable PDF, instant download
Español · Italiano · Deutsch · Français · Nederlands…
Buy the guide, then email us your language. Free, delivered in 48–72h.
♥ Every guide you buy keeps our patterns free.
Questions
Is the pattern really free?
Yes. The A4 and US Letter pattern files are free. The illustrated step-by-step guide and the A0 file are available for a small coffee.
Do I need a serger?
No. A regular machine with a narrow zigzag and a ballpoint or stretch needle works well. A twin needle gives the pocket openings a neat stretchy hem.
What length of zipper do I buy?
A 60 cm (24″) separating zipper for sizes 00–4 and 65 cm (26″) for sizes 6–22. You shorten it from the top to the exact opening length.
Can I use sherpa or quilted knit?
Yes. Choose one size up for thick fabrics and trim the seam allowances after stitching so the seams stay flat.
Happy sewing!
