Free PDF Sewing Pattern to Make Your Own Bomber Jacket

With just an A4 printer, you can use this simple bomber jacket pattern to cut your fabric and make a unique and sustainable garment

Making your own clothing is a sustainable and fun way to refresh your look and protect the planet. And you might be surprised to learn that even a jacket is a possible make for beginners!

Seamstress and pattern designer Lydia Higginson (@lydia_mademywardrobe) has created costumes for prestigious theaters like The Royal Opera House, and started Made My Wardrobe in 2016, where she teaches workshops on creating comfortable yet stylish garments. She’ll be your guide for how to sew a jacket below: learn about the style and your required materials, then download the pattern and start stitching!

What is a bomber jacket?

The contemporary bomber jacket is a versatile and gender-neutral clothing item, great for different seasons and easy to customize, while its history is fascinatingly diverse.

The first leather jackets of this style were made in World War 1 for fighter pilots. They were thick and heavy-duty, made with leather and fur. Through army surplus stores, the style trickled into public recognition. In Britain in the '60s, mods and skinheads adopted the look, in New York the LGBTQ community subverted the previously hyper-masculine associations with it, and meanwhile in Japan the practice of stitching elaborate designs on the back of the jacket became an iconic craft that continues to this day.

Essential materials to sew a bomber jacket

The key aspects of a bomber jacket are its simple body, ribbed details (base, cuff, and collar), deep pockets, and central zipper. In order to sew one of your own using the below pattern, you will need:

1. A sewing machine
2. Pins
3. Fabric and paper scissors
4. Tape
5. Tape measure
6. Your main fabric
7. Pocket and lining fabric
8. Ribbing
9. Zipper

A basic sewing machine will do the trick, as long as it can do a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch.

Download the A4 bomber jacket sewing pattern

After clicking on the download below, you’ll find the PDF file titled Free Bomber Jacket Pattern by Lydia Higginson in your Downloads folder. The A4 size can be printed at home on A4 paper or US letter paper.

At the end of the PDF you’ll also find a glossary and key information. The pattern includes UK sizes 6 - 24, and is gender inclusive.

Sign up for Lydia’s course Make and Customize Your First Bomber Jacket. Work with your sewing machine to create and customize a jacket in your style.

Stitch a stunning custom wardrobe with these resources

1. Check out 10 of our top fashion courses that teach you how to make your own clothes.

2. Watch this tutorial on achieving perfect seams without an overlock.

3. Learn more about patterns, silhouettes, and volumes in fashion design.