The Core Boréal Vest is a slightly oversized, sleeveless, fully lined zipped vest featuring a high collar, side-seam pockets, one exterior front zip pocket, and one interior patch pocket. It layers over a t-shirt, a turtleneck, or under a coat, and works across seasons whenever you need that little extra warmth and coziness… brrr-eal talk, this one's built for the cold.
(If you don't see the box above, please authorize this page on your popup blocker.)
Designed for non-stretch woven fabrics, the Boréal Vest fits slightly oversized. Check our size chart carefully. Sizes XXS–XL are drafted for a B cup, 1X–6X for a D cup.
A little note: Mathieu customized his vest with a roomier front zip pocket so his phone would fit. That tweak isn't part of the free pattern, but it's an easy one to try if you'd like the same!
For this project, we recommend midweight wovens with some body, like twill, corduroy, denim, or canvas. You can also go plush with fleece, Minky, sherpa, faux fur, boucle, light coating, or quilted fabrics (or quilt your own to make it as puffy as you like). Explore our Boréal Vest Collection, where we've curated the perfect fabrics to bring this pattern to life.
For our samples, we've used:
Quilting your fabric adds warmth, structure, and texture to a garment, and it's more approachable than it looks. We have a quick tutorial on how to do it here, using the Core Boréal Vest.
If you prefer following along by video, we have filmed the entire process! Otherwise check out our step-by-step instructions below.
Note: The outer fabric is cut slightly longer than the lining at the hem. This creates a small fold of outer fabric that turns under and shows as a thin strip on the lining side. Do not trim or align the outer fabric and lining hems evenly. The offset is intentional and will be finished in Steps 6, 8, 11, and 12.
The seam allowance is included and is 1/2" (13 mm) unless otherwise mentioned.
Step 1: Wrong sides together, fold the top straight edge of inside patch pocket (H) under 1/2" (13 mm) and press. Using notches as a guide, fold top edge down again and press. Topstitch fold into place.
Step 2: Fold and press the remaining raw edges of pocket (H) under 1/2" (13 mm). Pin pocket on the right side of the front lining (C) following the placement marks. Edgestitch at 1/8" (3 mm)” around the sides and bottom, pivoting at the corners, leaving the top open. Reinforce the top corners.
Step 1: Adjust your zipper length to match the pocket opening. For each end of the zipper: Right sides together, place a zipper tab (J) against the zipper tape so the tab's short raw edge aligns with the seamline of the pocket opening. Stitch the tab to the zipper end at 1/2" (13 mm). Press the seam, then fold the tab over the end of the zipper tape, wrapping it around to fully enclose the raw edges. Press again, then topstitch close to the folded edge to hold it flat. Repeat on the other end of the zipper.
Step 2: Using your zipper foot, stitch one side of the zipper tape to the left zip pocket (F), right sides together, matching the zipper tab end to the seam line of the pocket left piece. Repeat with the right zip pocket (G) on the other side of the zipper. Pull the zipper up so the pocket lies flat. Optional: topstitch to secure.
Step 3: Fold under 1/2" (13 mm) on all four sides of the assembled pocket and press. Depending on your fabric, baste to hold. Pin right side up onto the right side of the outer fabric front piece, matching the placement marks. Topstitch all around.
Right sides together and matching notches, pin each side seam pocket (I) to front (A) and back (B) along side seams. Stitch at 1/2" (13 mm) and press seam towards pocket. Understitch.
Note: Do not sew the pocket bags closed yet. They will be closed as part of the side seam in Step 10.
Right sides together, pin front (A) and back (B) along shoulders and stitch at 1/2" (13 mm). Press seams open. Repeat for the front lining (C) and back lining (D).
Note: The seam allowance for all collar seams is 3/8" (10 mm).
Right sides together and matching notches, pin collar (E) to the neckline of the outer fabric vest. Stitch at 3/8" (10 mm) and press the seam open. Repeat for the lining and the remaining collar (E).
Right sides together, align front lining (C) with front (A) along hems. Stitch at 1/2" (13 mm) starting at center front and stopping approximately 2” (5 cm) short of the side seam.
Step 1: Fold back lining (D) out of the way and ensure fronts (A) and front linings (C) are right side up.
Step 2: Fully open the separating zipper. Align the bottom stop of the zipper tape with the notch on the outer fabric.
Step 3: Right sides together and zipper teeth facing away from center front, pin each side of the zipper to the corresponding center front edge of the front (A). Using a zipper foot, stitch each side at 1/2" (13 mm), stopping 3/8" (10 mm) from the top edge of the collar. Leave the remaining zipper tape unstitched, it will be caught in the collar seam in Step 8.
Step 1: Fold front linings (C) up at the notch near the hem so that the fronts (A) and front linings (C) are right sides together. Pin along center front, sandwiching the zipper tape between the two layers. Pin collars together along the top edges.
Note: This creates the intentional offset between the longer outer fabric and shorter lining.
Step 2: Starting at the bottom notch, stitch up along the center front at 1/2" (13 mm), across the top edge of the collar at 3/8" (10 mm), and back down the other center front edge at 1/2" (13 mm). Trim corners, cut excess zipper tape, grade seams, and clip curves. Turn right side out through the side seam and press flat.
Step 1: Right sides together and matching shoulder seams, pin armholes of the outer fabric and lining. Stitch at 1/2" (13 mm). Clip the curves.
Step 2: Press the seam allowance towards the lining. Understitch as far as you can reach.
Right sides together and matching notches and pockets, pin front (A) and back (B) along side seams. Pin front lining (C) and back lining (D) along side seams. Stitch the entire side seam in one continuous line, sewing through the lining, the outer fabric, around the pocket bags, and through the outer fabric again. Press side seams open and pocket seams flat.
Turn the vest inside out through the bottom opening. Right sides together, stitch the back hemline at 1/2" (13 mm), leaving a 4” (10 cm) opening in the middle to turn the vest right side out.
Turn the vest right side out through the opening. Press the hem carefully, making sure the outer fabric evenly rolls over towards the lining. Close the opening with a hand sewn slip stitch.
Working around the bottom hem, tack the lining to the outer fabric with a loose invisible hand stitch every few centimetres. This keeps the lining in place while allowing the longer outer fabric to fold under naturally and show as a clean, narrow strip on the lining side.
Well done, your Core Boréal Vest is complete! Don't forget to tag us on Instagram @CoreFabrics, we would love to see your makes!
Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle is in charge of our marketing department and is voice behind our product descriptions, newsletters, videos, social posts, and blog. If there’s a textile pun to be made, she’ll find it.
