How to Sew a Bomber Jacket

The bomber jacket is an all-time favorite—timeless, sporty, and effortlessly cool. With its relaxed silhouette, ribbed trims, and snap button front, it’s a versatile outerwear piece that pairs well with everything from jeans and tees to casual dresses. This comprehensive guide, based on the official Winslet’s Raya Bomber Jacket Sewing Pattern, will walk you through every step so you can stitch your own cozy, professional-quality jacket with confidence.

Whether you’re new to outerwear or leveling up your skills, this project is a perfect balance of simplicity and polish, suitable for confident beginners through intermediate sewists.

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Why Sew a Bomber Jacket?

• Effortless everyday style: Works with casual and smart-casual outfits alike.

• Practical & comfortable: Ribbed cuffs and waistband keep warmth in, while fleece or terry fabric adds a cozy feel.

• Unisex appeal: Looks great on all body types with a modern, slightly cropped fit.

• Easy layering: Lightweight yet durable, ideal for transitional seasons.

• Customizable design: Add embroidery, patches, or contrasting ribs for a personalized look.

Why Choose the Winslet’s Raya Bomber Jacket Pattern?

• Beginner-friendly design: Step-by-step instructions, clear diagrams, and minimal piece count.

• Classic bomber details: Ribbed neckline, sleeve cuffs, and waistband; snap button closure.

• Versatile fabric options: Works perfectly with cotton fleece, rib knit, or jersey.

• Inclusive sizing: Runs from (US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64).

• Easy to customize: Suitable for prints, solids, or textured fabrics.

The Raya Jacket pattern is available for sizes US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64. Check the Raya Jacket Size Chart and measure yourself to select the correct size (see the garment and body measurement tables).
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table.

Step 1: Supplies & Notions

• Main fabric: Medium to heavy cotton fleece, jersey, rib, or terry (280 GSM recommended)

• Rib fabric: 2x2 or 3x3 rib knit for neckline, cuffs, and waistband

• Thread (3-ply polyester)

• Snap fasteners (approx. five sets)

• Fabric shears or rotary cutter

• Thread cutter

• Iron

• Tape measure

• Chalk or fabric marker

• Pins and sewing needles

• Sewing machine (overlock or zig-zag stitch option)

• Optional: Twin needle for decorative flatlock effect

Pro Tip: Always test stitch settings on scrap fabric first—especially when working with rib knit.

Step 2: Printing Your Digital Sewing Pattern

Before cutting your fabric, print your digital pattern at 100% scale on the correct paper size (usually A0 or A4/US Letter). Once printed, trim and tape the pages together following the pattern guide. Now your pattern is ready to use!

If you want to learn more about how to Print Digital Sewing Patterns, click here.

Step 3: Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare

For sewing the Raya Jacket, cut all of these pieces:

• Front – cut 2 (A)

• Front Side – cut 2 (B)

• Center Back – cut 1 (C)

• Side Back – cut 2 (D)

• Front Sleeve – cut 2 (E)

• Back Sleeve – cut 2 (F)

• Sleeve Rib – cut 2 (rib fabric) (G)

• Neck Rib – cut 1 (rib fabric) (H)

• Bottom Rib – cut 1 (rib fabric) (I)

• Pocket Bag – cut 4 (J)

• Pocket Bone – cut 2 (K)

• Back Moon – cut 1 (L)

• Front Facing – cut 2 (M)

Step 4: Pattern Marking

• Lay out all pattern pieces according to the cutting diagrams. Ensure the grainline arrow for each piece runs parallel to the selvage for best drape.

• Transfer all markings: Notches, grainlines, center fronts/backs, fold lines, circles, buttonholes, and strap/zipper placements, using chalk, pen, or tailor’s tacks onto the wrong side of your fabric.

• Cut notches anywhere they appear on the pattern edge—these are crucial for proper alignment and assembly.

• Mark the center front on all pieces cut on the fold.

Step 5: Cutting Layout

• Reference the correct layout diagram in the Raya Sewing Guide for your chosen size and fabric width (45” or 60”).

• If using fabric with nap or a directional print, buy extra yardage and align pattern pieces accordingly.

• Pin or use pattern weights to secure each piece for accurate cutting.

• Trace the shapes and cut along the outlines, carefully removing any marking lines after cutting.

Step 6: Fabric Cutting and Preparation

• Cut out every required piece per your size from your main fabric. For pieces needing two cuts, fold fabric as shown in cutting diagram.

• Cut all notches as shown on the pattern.

• Double-check that you have all pieces before you start sewing.

Seam allowance: This pattern uses a 1 cm (3/8”) seam allowance all around except 0.6 cm (1/4”) at the curve of the back moon piece.

Step 7: Step by Step Instructions to Sew a Bomber Jacket

1. For preparing and attaching the pocket:

1a. Fold the pocket bone lengthwise in half and iron it.
1b. Serge the open edges of the folded pocket bone.
1c. Align the seamline of the pocket bone with the bottom edge of the pocket marking
on the front piece and sew along the bottom edge to attach it.
1d. Place the pocket bag on top of the pocket bone and sew along the bottom edge of the pocket marking to attach the pocket bag, pocket bone, and front piece. Refer to figure
1d for placement.
1e. Fold the pocket bone and pocket bag from the stitch line towards the wrong side of the pocket bag.

1f. Place the second pocket bag piece over the pocket marking, aligning it with the top edge. Sew along the top edge to secure it in place.
1g. Fold the seam allowance of the second pocket bag away from the pocket marking. Trim along the center of the pocket line and make diagonal (V-shaped) cuts at the corners.

1h. Pass the first pocket bag through the trimmed opening and adjust the pocket bone to fit neatly within the trimmed area. Sew along the edge of the bottom pocket seam to
secure the pocket bone with the pocket bag beneath.
1i. Pass the second pocket bag through the trimmed opening, aligning it neatly with the first pocket bag. Sew along the edges of the top and sides to secure them, ensuring the pocket bone stays unstitched.
1j. Sew along the seamline of the pocket bag edges to fully enclose the pocket. Repeat the same process for the other pocket bone, pocket bag and front piece.

2. For preparing front panel:

2a. Place the front side piece and the front piece together with right sides facing each other. Align the front panel notches and pin them in place.
2b. Overlock the front panel seam to secure the pieces together.
2c. Spread open the seamline and iron the seam allowance towards front side piece. Sew along the edge of the seamline, 0.25 cm away from the side piece with seam allowance underneath, to create a decorative stitch line for aesthetic purposes. Repeat the same process for the other front and front side pieces.

3. For attaching the sleeve:

3a. Place the front sleeve and back sleeve pieces together, with their right sides facing each other. Align the sleeve panel notches and pin them in place.
3b. Sew along the sleeve panel seam using an overlock stitch to secure the pieces.
3c. Spread open the seamline and iron it. Repeat the same process for the other front sleeve and back sleeve pieces.

4. For preparing back panel:

4a. Place the center back piece and one side back piece together, with their right sides
facing each other. Align the back panel notches and pin them in place.
4b. Sew along the back panel seam using an overlock stitch to secure the pieces together.
4c. Spread open the seamline and iron towards the back piece.

4d. Repeat the same process for the other side of the center back piece with the other side back piece. Sew along the edges of both seamlines on the center back with seam allowance underneath, 0.25 cm away from back piece, to create a decorative topstitch.

5. Place the prepared front panel and back panel together, with their right sides facing each other. Align the shoulder seams carefully. Overlock the shoulder seams together (fig. 5a). Repeat the same process for the other shoulder seam, attaching the center back panel to the other prepared front panel to achieve figure 5.

6. For attaching the sleeve:

6a. Spread open the shoulder seams of the jacket. Place the sleeve piece onto the jacket, with their right sides facing each other. Align the shoulder seamline with the center armhole notch and pin in place.
6b. Sew along the sleeve armhole using an overlock stitch to secure the sleeve to the jacket.

6c. Repeat the same process for the other sleeve piece on the other side of the jacket armhole.

7. Serge the curve of the back moon piece and the front panel and hemline of the facing
(fig. 7a). Place the back moon piece and the front facing pieces together, with their right
sides facing each other. Align the shoulder seams carefully. Sew shoulder seams with an
overlock stitch to achieve figure 7.

8. For preparing and attaching neck rib and front facing:

8a. Fold the neck rib in half lengthwise, with the right side facing out.

8b. Place the folded neck rib onto the right side of the jacket neckline. Match the center back notches and pin the rib in place, from one collar end notch to the other.
8c. Overlock the neckline to attach the neck rib securely.

8d. Place the prepared front facing with back moon panel onto the jacket, with their right
sides facing each other. Align the center front and collar end notches. Sew from the top of
the neckline to the bottom hem edge using an overlock stitch.

8e. Turn the front facing to the wrong side of the jacket and press the seamlines neatly with an iron.
8f. Sew along the edge of the back moon curve to attach it securely to the back piece.

9. Align the side seams of the jacket, with the right sides facing each other. Sew along the
side seams using an overlock stitch, starting from the sleeve hem and continuing down to
the jacket hem.

10. For preparing bottom rib and sleeve rib pieces:

10a. Fold the bottom rib lengthwise in half, with the right side facing out. Iron it.
10b. Fold the sleeve rib piece at the center cuff notch, with the wrong side facing out. Overlock the open edge along the side seam of the sleeve rib.
10c. Fold the sleeve rib lengthwise in half, with the right side facing out.

11. For attaching bottom rib and sleeve rib:

11a. Turn the jacket right side out.

11b. Place the bottom rib on the right side of the jacket hemline. Align the side
edge. Pin the rib in place to hold it or overlock it.
11c. Now, turn the open edge of the bottom rib to align with the jacket’s hemline. Match the side seam notches of the rib to the side seams of the jacket and the center back hem of the rib to the center back of the jacket. Pin along the entire hemline. Overlock the bottom rib and the jacket hemline together to secure the rib in place.

11d. Turn the bottom rib down and iron it.

11e. Place the prepared sleeve ribs onto the sleeve hems of the jacket, aligning the
seamline of each sleeve rib with the side seam of the sleeves. Pin them in place and
overlock the seamlines to attach the ribs.
11f. Turn the sleeve ribs down and iron it.

12. For attaching the snap fasteners:

Attach 5 stud of the fastener on the placket of the right center front jacket and 5 socket on the left center front of the jacket. Distance between fasteners and quantity can be decided
as per desired look. But here you have one on the neckline, one on bottom edge and one on rib top edge.

Winslet’s sewing guide for Raya Jacket includes clear diagrams that walk you through each step, making it easy to follow and complete your project with confidence.

For an overview of Winslet’s Sewing Guides, click here.

Ready to Make Your Own Bomber Jacket?

The Winslet’s Raya Bomber Jacket Sewing Pattern gives you the freedom to sew a wardrobe classic that combines comfort, style, and custom fit. It’s beginner-friendly, modern, and endlessly wearable—all you need for cozy sophistication.

Download your Raya Bomber Jacket pattern now and create a jacket that’s as unique as you are.

Show Off Your Bomber Jacket

Show your creation on Instagram or Facebook with #MadeWithWinslets for a chance to be featured! For any questions or issues, email the Winslet’s support team at support@winslets.com.