Here are my five favorite patterns that will be perfect for your fall 2025 wardrobe. These are all patterns that I have sewn before or are sewing now, so they’re tried and true! I’ve picked one pair of pants, a blouse, a hoodie with three views and two coats that will take you from the first nip of fall – which is any morning this week, apparently, where I live, up to the really cold stuff in January, where you’ll switch to whatever “big coat” you own already (if you live in the northern tier.)
Mile End Hoodie and Sweatshirt for fall 2025
I sewed the sweatshirt. I will say the sleeves run short – but you should know that’s me with my gorilla arms (1.5″longer than normal for my size). Just measure the two panels and the drop shoulder distance before you decide how long to make the sleeves. I rescued with a longer than normal cuff but it was a little odd. We all need a sweatshirt as we get into cooler months, and this one is stylish and and in the right fabric, elevated.
Free Range Slacks in Racing Stripe Trackpant Style
Free Range Slacks have a separate side panel for contrast print, stripe or color. Because the Free Range has a side panel already, it’s great for not having to think about adding a contrast panel, but if you want the twin racing stripes like in ready to wear brands, using the sideseam seam allowances of the pattern, see Caitlyn Snyder Sews tutorial links here for this brilliant hack of binding them on the outside and using them as racing stripes. You sew the sideseams together wrong sides out, apply binding to the pressed-open sideseams and finish the binding sewing by stitching them down to the pant legs. Similar to a hong-kong seam finish, this last step involves stitching the racing stripes down to the pants themselves! You should sew the sideseams BEFORE the inner leg seams so you can do all the stitching when pant legs are flat.
I have the stripe fabric in the photo and plan to turn the side panel so the stripes run crosswise. But I also plan to make a pair where the side panel is an entirely different solid color!
Reversible Wrap Coat to Sew
I’m kind of obsessed with a fleece coat right now and these would be 2 good choices for a reversible one. The vintage wrap one with integrated hood is so timeless that it’s been re-released (at the time of this writing, the Simplicity.com website is down because they went into bankruptcy. I will update this later if it comes back online with a new owner, but you can find this pattern widely on Ebay and Etsy.)The Simplicity website is back up with new owners (see my video here) including a long time Exec VP who herself is a sewist! You should be able to get the new re released version OR the vintage one.
A fleece coat – particularly double sided like these two I’m featuring here, are a great choice for a moderate winter day (you’ll still need your “big coat” for those 20 degree or below winter days). 25 years ago when these patterns were released, you’d have had to live a little further south. Now? Even states that used to have some winter have hardly any and states like mine in the upper Great Lakes actually end up quite mild except for late January and February.
Wrap coat:
This is the new one (New Look brand) and the one below is the version I have. See? They’re the SAME PATTERN!
Oversized A-line Button Coat Sewing Pattern
I happen to have this reversible coat in a vintage pattern but I found you a new one you can actually buy as well. This one is often on Etsy and Ebay if you want this exact coat. I sewed this in fleece, and again in a reversible nylon in the shorter version. It’s roomy and will fit your big sweaters and boyfriend blazers underneath it for colder weather.
Button coats are always popular, as they are warm and easy to sew. Don’t be intimidated by buttonholes in thick knit fabric like fleece – you can do several different finishes that do not involve a traditional buttonhole stitch.
I like to do the double straight stitch box. Sew a rectangle button-hole shaped box where your button hole will go (measuring your button and drawing the shape and size on your coat.) You can also use tear away stabilizer to draw on this and stitch through. I sometimes use vinyl signmaking transfer paper too. Then, sew another box about 1/4″ or less around the first box. Cut the slit in the smaller box without hitting the stitching.
This Burda Style one has fun darts and a vintage style collar and could also be made reversible.
Cropped Boxy Blouse Sewing Pattern
Everyone needs a blouse for fall. You can wear it with jeans, with track pants, with casual skirts. You can use any pattern you want and just crop it at the high hip. I’ve seen regular buttondown shirts cropped in ready to wear just like that. A cropped shape is modern and fun, and when sewn in an oversized shirt, doesn’t overwhelm you. Crop any of these to high hip and you’ll have the same look.
Some great choices in indie patterns are: Remy Raglan tee, the Slouchy Tee Shirt Blouse (love the gathered cuffs on the long sleeve version and the princess seaming.) I also love the Augusta Shirt and Dress – I have this one, but have not yet sewn it. I’ll be able to review it more thoroughly when I do. It’s on my Make Nine this year!
You have everything you need – pant, top, coat – for the first early days of autumn. Plus, these are all fairly easy to sew and that makes it even more fun to enjoy the season while sewing things IN it. I’m a big proponent of sewing within the season (I don’t usually sew ahead unless it’s for vacation.) I’m more motivated to finish it that way. You too?