It’s a curve-friendly, classy, and deliciously vintage design and it’s this month’s Cashmerette Club pattern—it’s the Catskills Jacket! We put 6 makers to the test to see how they could take this timeless bias-cut topper and truly make it their own and did they deliver. Peruse through these lovely makes to inspire your own Catskills Jacket.
The Catskills Jacket is bias-cut with a gorgeous drape and features French darts. It’s unlined and finished with sophisticated French seams, and features grown-on sleeves in three lengths. Dress up your Catskills in a special silk or dress it down in a casual cotton for a timeless look that never goes out of style.
The Catskills Jacket is a Cashmerette Club x Julie Eilber collaboration. It comes in sizes 0-32 and cup sizes C-H is is available exclusively to Cashmerette Club members.
This is a past Cashmerette Club pattern, which you can download instantly today as a Cashmerette Club member on our yearly All Access level! To learn more and sign up, click here.
There are so many stunning ways to personalize this pattern. Now let’s dig in because, “we’re going to the Catskills!”
Julia’s Catskills Jacket
This bright and fruity Catskills is absolutely delectable! Julia chose a strawberry-adorned cotton poplin sewn in a size 18 C/D that has us craving more. Excited to try her hand at bias cut, she caught on quickly and has gone above and beyond with her Catskills Jacket—she now has 3 vintage-style bias cut toppers to choose from!
Her measurements are 42” high bust, 46” full bust, 39” waist, and 45” hips.
Julia had this to say about her Catskills Jacket:
“It was my first time cutting a full pattern on the bias so I was very excited to try something new. Overall it was a quick and easy sew – I actually made 3! I didn’t have any short jackets before this and have been getting lots of use out of my Catskills.”
Check out more of Julia’s makes on Instagram at @jujugalore.
Leah’s Catskills Jacket
In love with the idea of a versatile layering piece that she can wear year-round, Leah chose a knit-embossed jacquard for her Catskills Jacket and sewed hers in a size 6 C/D. With clean and simple being her objective, she personalized her jacket by sizing down for a more fitted look and a blind hem for facing and cuffs. And for a pleasant little pop, we spy cute floral buttons! Who doesn’t love a cute floral button?
Her measurements are 37” high bust, 36.5” full bust, 31” waist, and 38” hips.
Leah shared this about her Catskills Jacket:
“I love the idea of a simple, versatile cropped jacket that can be dressed up or down. To maintain balance, I sized down for a more fitted jacket. The clean lines of the jacket were so nice, I opted to do a blind hem for the facing and cuffs. This jacket will be perfect for layering year-round!”
See more of what Leah is sewing up on Instagram at @Leah_wink.
Amanda’s Catskills Jacket
Elevated with an edge is how we describe Amanda’s Catskills Jacket and we’re here for it! Sewn in a size 20 in the shoulders and graded to a 22 G/H for the bust, waist, and hip, she chose a mid-weight cotton with a linen back panel. Amanda is now autumn-ready with this timeless layering piece, but with the fabric striping it’s also giving moto-chic which was exactly what she was going for. She chose to sew the lengths of the different fabrics together before cutting out her pattern pieces and as a result found the sewing to be a breeze. Though she admits she is looking forward to more practice with this type of bust dart. Amanda, you get an A+ in our book.
Her measurements are 45” high bust, 52” full bust, 42” waist, and 50” hips.
Here’s what Amanda had to say about her Catskills Jacket:
“It’s still too warm for the Catskills here, but it feels like an elevated throw-on piece for me. The striping of the fabric feels a little moto for me which gives it the little edge I like in a lot of my clothes. Sewing it was a breeze! This was my first time doing this type of bust dart and I think I need a liiiittle bit more practice with them.”
Check out more of Amanda’s makes on Instagram at @mandabe4r.
Kemi’s Catskills Jackets
Despite this being her very first Cashmerette pattern, Kemi loved the Catskills Jacket pattern so much that she decided to make several right off the bat and with stunning results for each! She sewed a 14 E/F for each version and got creative with her fabric selections.
For her first look she went with a short-sleeved black cotton sateen. For a bolder take on her second Catskills she chose a black and white pattern cotton. And for her long-sleeve version she chose a dazzling blue chambray that will look sharp slipped over just about any outfit you can imagine. She was able to easily follow the directions, made a number of personalizations to each version and the compliments have been flowing in!
Her measurements are 41” high bust, 43” full bust, 36” waist, and 44” hips.
Kemi shared this about her Catskills Jacket:
“This was my first time sewing a Cashmerette pattern. I had such a great experience making the Catskills Jacket I made four! The instructions for the jacket were clear and easy to follow. I didn’t have to make any bust adjustments—the E/F cup fit perfectly.There was no tugging or pulling while wearing the jackets and I got a lot of compliments each time I wore one of them. Personally, I chose to eliminate the hook/eye closures this time but I will definitely incorporate for a version I plan to make in wool. The only adjustments I had to make were to lengthen the bodice pieces and sleeves by 2 inches each (I’m 5′ 9″ with long limbs and a short torso). For the short sleeved versions, I also widened the sleeves by 1.5″ to 2″ (personal preference) and used 1/2″ and 1″ elastic in the cuffs (also personal style preference). I chose not to topstitch the facings so the jackets had a more business casual look.”
See more of what Kemi is sewing up on Instagram at @kemiadubi.
Sangeeta’s Catskills Jacket
Sangeeta’s Catskills is cable knit perfection and it’s definitely a bright spot in our day! She chose a vibrant yellow cable knit sewn in a 14 C/D – sized down 1-2 sizes for a closer fit. And while in hindsight she may have chosen a more stable fabric to simplify this make, she loves the result and now has a perfectly sunny addition to any of her dresses.
Her measurements are 42” high bust, 44” full bust, 38” waist, and 48” hips.
Sangeeta shared this about her Catskills:
“If I had chosen a more stable fabric that was suggested it would probably have been an easy make. But I decided to make it more difficult for myself and chose a cable knit so it would look and feel more like a cardigan. I sized down 1-2 sizes for a tighter fit. I’m very pleased with the result and it’s the perfect thing to wear with my dresses.”
Follow along with more of Sangeeta’s makes on Instagram at @thedressgarden.
Rebecca’s Catskills Jacket
Rebecca’s Catskills is easy, breezy, neutral and classic and the perfect add-on to just about any outfit. She sewed hers in a 6 G/H and chose a lightweight wool suiting which ended up being the perfect match for her first time sewing on the bias. She very much enjoyed this make and not only learning how to bias cut but also about french seams. Oui oui!
Her measurements are 32.5” high bust, 37.5” full bust, 28” waist, and 38.5” hips.
Rebecca had this to say about her Catskills Jacket:
“I was a little intimidated by the idea of sewing on the bias but it was a real breeze with my wool fabric (much easier than the one satin dress I had made before!). I also loved the instructions for the french seams!”
See more of what Rebecca is sewing up on Instagram at @lushsewing.
Join the Club to get the Catskills Jacket
Want to make your very own Catskills Jacket? Join Cashmerette Club today to get this timeless laying piece plus many other patterns, fitting masterclasses, exclusive discounts, and more.
Note: To get the Catskills Jacket pattern after September 2023, you’ll need to join at the All Access level.