Pattern Review - The Joy Jacket by Chalk and Notch

It is no state secret that I’m not a huge fan of PDF patterns. The printing, taping and gluing always stop me in my tracks. I will even go off and say that at times I see all these free patterns and I’m like “I’m gonna take a pass on that, thanks”. But when Chalk and Notch sent out a request for pattern testers for their Chalk and Notch Joy pattern I decided to take a chance and sign up. I have tested for a few others (and I’m picky for what I sign up for!) and just like the patterns from Jennifer Lauren Handmade Patterns, I was pleasantly surprised in a very good way. The Joy Jacket is described on their website as a fully lined, relaxed fit, mid-weight jacket. The front zipper is exposed, View A has a wide collar (which is the one I made) and View B has a hood. The pattern has sizing for A/B cup and C/D Cup.

You can get the pattern in a print at home format or you can get AO copies that you can send to a print shop. The turn around we had for the pattern testing was two weeks so off to print, tape and glue it was, and yes I growled my entire way thru it. But what I loved is that Chalk and Notch gave me a sizing chart, it also had a listing of what pages I needed to print for my size and jacket view I wanted to make, so I didn’t have to print ALLLLLL the pages. I loved that the pattern gave me a description on the amount of ease in the finished garment measurements and how it is meant to fit. I wished I would get that with every single pattern I purchase!

I made View A size 20 A/B cup…As usual I went rogue with the main fabric and used a cotton sateen that I had in my stash (and that I was hoping to use for another jacket) but this seemed like the perfect fabric for it. I also used a printed satin for my lining.

The Joy Jacket from Chalk and Notch Patterns

If you are looking to start making jackets, and have been hesitant to try… this is a perfect pattern to start out with. It is an easy pattern, and the instructions are clear in addition there is an easy to follow sew along on their website with pictures.

The pattern is drafted for a 5’-7” tall person, hence I took 2” off the length of the bodice on the pattern and I also adjusted the side seams on the sleeve to give me a little bit more room on the biceps. You know me and my bicep adjustments… we go hand in hand. I opted not to do the drawstrings at the collar or at the hem because I know I will not use them and my fabric is a little bit more stiff than what is called for in the pattern so if I had added them it would have been more for decorative purposes, which you can certainly do. I also waited to finish putting together my main fabric outer shell because I wanted the zipper to go all the way from the hem and zip up all the way to the collar. So that is another change I made.

This will be my third lined jacket/ coat this season, and this jacket is by FAR my favorite one. In terms of how long it took me to make the jacket… I worked on it for 30 to 45 minutes every night for a week once I had all the pieces cut and did all the pattern assembly. So it’s fairly easy and quick to make. The Joy Jacket is labeled as intermediate most likely because you have to know how to set a zipper but honestly it is a very easy and straight forward pattern. I highly recommend this pattern, and NO this is not an ad or am I being paid in any way to give my opinion.

I decided not to do a drawstring around the collar. I just know I wouldn’t use it. But I saw other testers and theirs looked beautiful, so perhaps for my next one.

Chalk and Notch is having a holiday sale and it ends on November 30th, 2021.

Their Holiday Sale coupon codes⁠ are below…..

All patterns, PDF & Printed, are on sale through Nov 30th! ⁠

hol20 for 20% off any purchase⁠⠀⁠

hol25 for 25% ⁠off when you spend $25⁠

hol30 for 30% off when you spend $50 ⁠

If you are like me you and you like the printed pattern option there is a gift with any printed pattern purchase. They will add a Tailor's Chalk to your printed pattern order as a small gift. Which I have to say, I could use tailor’s chalk any day because it gets used.

The Joy Jacket is not offered as a printed pattern (which is a bummer but I’ll get over it) however it is available in sizes 0-30 with two bust cup options. And heck if you don’t want to print and cut glue like I did… they have a bunch of other printed patterns on their website. I’m currently looking at the Fringe Dress and the Marcel Dress. Both are offered from sizes 0 to 30.

I can see myself making this jacket lined with sherpa fleece, which I will have to go up perhaps one size and make one adjustment to the lining to reduce bulk (and of course you can’t line the sleeves with sherpa unless you are going for the Michelin man look!), you could also use faux suede (gosh that would look beautiful) AND you could also use this jacket pattern as a raincoat. I would have to seal the seams but that is no big deal. So that is my review!

It is a great pattern and beautifully drafted.

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