On 14th September 2024 our sewing pattern collaboration with Paynter Jacket came out, sold out and immediately became the pattern that defined the year. It’s since remained one of our best-selling patterns and seen thousands of you create, adapt and customise the Field Jacket.This pattern is a maker’s make, elevated by the details and the attention they demand. It is technical in both nature and design, many of you citing it as a confidence and skill-building sew that’s opened doors to other projects that you would never have attempted before. In one year it’s become a benchmark, a badge of honour, as iconic a pattern as the Paynter Field Jacket itself and the military jackets that inspired its design.
We are celebrating one year of the sewing pattern by showcasing all the incredible Paynter Jackets made by this community. We asked you to send in photos of your #mmpaynter jackets and to tell us what you loved about making them. You can find all the photos and stories below.
During the design of this pattern we deconstructed several Field Jackets, working our way backwards, putting together the puzzle pieces. This was a complicated pattern to design and it’s a complicated pattern to make. It’s not for the impatient. It demands time, care and attention to detail.
“It was an ambitious make for me, but I loved the challenge of it, and learned so much along the way. And the reward is an amazing, robust jacket that I'll wear with pride for many years.” @craigbendle
Every single one of you commented on how rewarding this make was, calling the pattern a satisfying challenge, a learning exercise, a “masterclass” (@sve.ule). The half bellows pockets act as the peak of the challenge, a personal Everest for each of you to wave a flag atop, triumphant.
“[I loved] the wizardry of how the double pocket came together! It felt like sewing magic.” @darkharbouryarn
Many of you talked about going on a journey. Not just building your sewing skills but finding that the attention required made the project meditative, almost addictive. In more than one case, someone made the jacket during a turbulent personal time, finding the slow and methodical creation healing:
“the concentration and detail it demanded were incredibly therapeutic and brought me some relief.” @pippa_t_b
Unsurprisingly, a lot of you have now made multiple Paynter Jackets. One person who got in touch has made four and is working on a fifth – a whole family of jackets.
We were touched to hear how many of you chose to make this jacket as a gift for a friend or family member, the level of care taken a reflection of your feelings for the recipient. Paynter Jackets have been 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th birthday presents, a renewed connection between old friends and the project that gave a retired dressmaker back her fire:
“The most enjoyable part for me throughout this process, was to see this almost 80 years old master of her craft lit up with passion.” @paavoperkele
Everyone who has bought a paper pattern will have received two limited edition woven labels to sew inside. This badge of honour was designed by @hello.ludio and is exclusive to our Paynter collaboration. We love to imagine two strangers colliding one day and discovering the matching patches inside each others jackets, united by craft.
“Sewing in the labels then was the cherry on top of a very special pattern” @meri_paiFor everyone, the finished jacket has become a treasured garment and daily companion which fits exactly the Paynter Jacket philosophy.
“I have actually worn my jacket everyday since I made it.” @textilestudies
These are practical, beautiful and well-made garments. A considered piece meant to be worn and loved and lived in.
