The Clyde Jacket is our best-selling outerwear garment of all time. It is one of those hard-to-pin-down items—it can feel like a cardigan, shacket, or full blown coat depending on what it's made of. In the longer Trench length, it covers even more sartorial ground, and the sleeveless Vest version is the ultimate in transitional dressing.
Our signature crescent-shaped side pockets add functionality and visual interest, and the large shawl collar eliminates the needs for closures, making this pattern extremely fun and satisfying to sew.
If you are eager to make your own coat or jacket but don't want to stress over finicky closures or linings—and you want a garment you'll get lots of mileage out of—this workshop is waiting for you.
Join me (virtually) for three weeks of live instruction and collaboration where we’ll create an outerwear piece that's just your type. Together, we’ll work through selecting and sourcing the right material since fabric choice for outerwear is make-or-break, and then we'll fit our patterns before perfecting the construction and finishes.
You can choose to sew the Clyde Jacket, Trench, or Vest for this workshop. The pattern we'll use will include the most up-to-date fit improvements, with details available on older versions if there is a specific fit you'd like to replicate.
Schedule
Prep Class: Fabric selection | Monday, August 4, 7-8pm CT
Class 1: Sew & fit muslin | Saturday, September 6, 10am-12:30 CT
Class 2: Adjust pattern & begin assembly | Saturday, September 13, 10am-12:30 CT
Class 3: Assembly & finishes | Saturday, September 20, 10am-12:30 CT
+ Office Hours every Monday starting August 25, 6-7pm CT
What does the workshop include?
Clyde Jacket, Trench and Vest digital sewing pattern in all sizes + instructions
Full-size printed copy of one version of the pattern (either the Jacket, Trench OR Vest) in all sizes
One live fabric selection class (1 hour via Zoom)
One live size selection and pattern cutting class (1 hour via Zoom)
Three weekly live classes (7.5 hours of instruction via Zoom)
Three weekly live office hours sessions (3 hours of instruction via Zoom)
Recordings of all classes and office hours to rewatch at your convenience
One-time 20% discount on all ES fabrics
Plus these bonuses that add value even after the workshop ends...
Lifetime membership to our private learning platform for workshops that houses all recordings, extra resources and a community forum with other students
Access to Liz any time through our platform for questions, troubleshooting, and sharing finished projects both during the four-week workshop and after
Ongoing access to live office hours sessions through the end of 2025 for any ES sewing-related questions
Who is this workshop for?
The ambitious beginner or intermediate sewist who is ready for an outerwear project that doesn't require finicky closures or a lining
You are comfortable operating a sewing machine and have made a few simple projects
Required Materials & Tools
Materials we’ll provide
Digital copy of the Clyde Jacket, Trench and Vest pattern in all sizes + instructions
Printed copy of the Clyde Jacket, Trench OR Vest in all sizes
Materials you’ll provide
3 yards of a medium-heavy weight woven fabric, between 6-11oz/yd (the amount of fabric you’ll need depends on the size you plan to make, 2X and above need closer to 3.5 yds)
Your workshop purchase includes a 20% discount on all ES fabrics—you’ll receive a separate email with this after your order is placed
All-purpose thread that matches your fabric. I recommend for almost all projects, and it’s the thread we’ve manufactured with for years.
Essential tools you’ll need
A sewing machine in good working order capable of a straight stitch and ideally a zig-zag stitch
At least two new, sharp machine needles appropriate for your fabric (a Universal 80/12 is a great start)
Fabric shears
Pins and/or pattern weights
Seam ripper (no shame in the frogging game!)
Iron and sleeve board
Chalk or other fabric marking tool
Are you ready to make an incredibly satisfying and infinitely wearable jacket—and head into the winter sewing season with a fine-tuned pattern and the skills to make more? Let's go!
