PDF SEWING PATTERN | Billy Gilet | Merchant & Mills

Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizes: UK 34–54
Language: English only

The Billy Gilet PDF sewing pattern by Merchant & Mills is a hardworking, workwear-inspired utility vest designed for practical layering. Make Billy lined or unlined, and choose whether to place the facings on the inside or outside for two distinct finishes.

This versatile gilet sewing pattern works beautifully in durable woven fabrics such as dry oilskin, canvas, denim, corduroy, wool and cotton twill. Wear it over a shirt, sweater or jacket to add warmth, texture and useful everyday style to your handmade wardrobe.

The Billy Gilet includes a broad UK size range from 34 to 54 and can be finished with either metal snaps or buttons. Its simple workwear shape makes it ideal for creating a practical utility vest that can be adapted to different seasons and fabric weights.

All seam allowances are 1.5 cm (⅝") unless otherwise stated and are included in the pattern.

• Workwear-inspired utility gilet or vest
• Can be made lined or unlined
• Choice of inside or outside facings
• Front closure with metal snaps or buttons
• Designed for durable woven fabrics
• Ideal for practical everyday layering
• Suitable for intermediate sewists
• UK sizes 34–54

Choose medium- to heavyweight woven fabrics with enough structure to highlight the utility shape of the Billy Gilet.

• Dry oilskin
• Oilskin
• Linen
• 7–12 oz denim
• Wool
• Corduroy
• Cotton twill
• Canvas

Recommended lining fabrics:

• Cotton voile
• Lightweight linen
• Cotton poplin
• Lightweight wool
• Slip lining

• Matching sewing thread
• 0.65 m (¾ yd) interfacing
• 6 metal snaps or 15–18 mm buttons
• Optional lining fabric

• Size 34: Neck 35.6 cm (14"), Chest 86.4 cm (34"), Waist 71.1 cm (28"), Hip 87.6 cm (34½")
• Size 36: Neck 38.1 cm (15"), Chest 91.4 cm (36"), Waist 76.2 cm (30"), Hip 92.7 cm (36½")
• Size 38: Neck 39.4 cm (15½"), Chest 96.5 cm (38"), Waist 81.3 cm (32"), Hip 97.8 cm (38½")
• Size 40: Neck 40.6 cm (16"), Chest 101.6 cm (40"), Waist 86.3 cm (34"), Hip 103 cm (40½")
• Size 42: Neck 41.9 cm (16½"), Chest 106.7 cm (42"), Waist 91.4 cm (36"), Hip 108 cm (42½")
• Sizes 44–46: Neck 43.2–44.5 cm (17–17½"), Chest 111.7–116.8 cm (44–46"), Waist 96.5–101.6 cm (38–40"), Hip 113–118.1 cm (44½–46½")
• Sizes 48–50: Neck 45–47 cm (17¾–18½"), Chest 121.9–127 cm (48–50"), Waist 106.7–111.8 cm (42–44"), Hip 123.2–128.3 cm (48½–50½")
• Sizes 52–54: Neck 48.2–49.5 cm (19–19½"), Chest 132–137.2 cm (52–54"), Waist 116.8–121.9 cm (46–48"), Hip 133.3–138.4 cm (52½–54½")

• Size 34: Chest 99.6 cm (39¼"), Waist 97.4 cm (38¼"), Centre-back length 66.1 cm (26"), Front shoulder length 55.8 cm (22")
• Size 36: Chest 104.7 cm (41¼"), Waist 102.5 cm (40¼"), Centre-back length 66.7 cm (26¼"), Front shoulder length 56.4 cm (22¼")
• Size 38: Chest 109.8 cm (43¼"), Waist 107.6 cm (42¼"), Centre-back length 67.4 cm (26½"), Front shoulder length 57.1 cm (22½")
• Size 40: Chest 114.9 cm (45¼"), Waist 112.7 cm (44¼"), Centre-back length 68 cm (26¾"), Front shoulder length 57.7 cm (22¾")
• Size 42: Chest 120 cm (47¼"), Waist 117.8 cm (46¼"), Centre-back length 68.6 cm (27"), Front shoulder length 58.3 cm (23")
• Sizes 44–46: Chest 130.2 cm (51¼"), Waist 128 cm (50½"), Centre-back length 69.9 cm (27½"), Front shoulder length 59.6 cm (23½")
• Sizes 48–50: Chest 140.4 cm (55¼"), Waist 138.2 cm (54½"), Centre-back length 71.1 cm (28"), Front shoulder length 60.8 cm (24")
• Sizes 52–54: Chest 150.6 cm (59¼"), Waist 148.4 cm (58½"), Centre-back length 72.4 cm (28½"), Front shoulder length 62 cm (24½")

Fabric requirements apply to fabric with or without nap.

• 110 cm (43½") wide: Sizes 34–38: 1.5 m (1¾ yd); Sizes 40–46: 1.8 m (2 yd); Sizes 48–54: 1.8 m (2 yd)
• 120 cm (47") wide: Sizes 34–38: 1.3 m (1½ yd); Sizes 40–46: 1.8 m (2 yd); Sizes 48–54: 1.8 m (2 yd)
• 140 cm (55") wide: Sizes 34–38: 1.3 m (1½ yd); Sizes 40–46: 1.3 m (1½ yd); Sizes 48–54: 1.8 m (2 yd)
• 150 cm (60") wide: Sizes 34–38: 1.1 m (1¼ yd); Sizes 40–46: 1.1 m (1¼ yd); Sizes 48–54: 1.3 m (1½ yd)

Lining requirements apply to fabric with or without nap.

• 110 cm (43½") wide: Sizes 34–38: 1.1 m (1¼ yd); Sizes 40–46: 1.1 m (1¼ yd); Sizes 48–54: 1.5 m (1¾ yd)
• 120 cm (47") wide: Sizes 34–38: 0.9 m (1 yd); Sizes 40–46: 1.1 m (1¼ yd); Sizes 48–54: 1.3 m (1½ yd)
• 140–150 cm (55–60") wide: Sizes 34–38: 0.9 m (1 yd); Sizes 40–46: 0.9 m (1 yd); Sizes 48–54: 1.1 m (1¼ yd)

• A0 copy shop file – 2 pages
• A4 tiled home-printing file – 38 pages
• Compatible with A4 and US Letter paper
• Illustrated sewing instructions in English
• Digital files stored in your customer account
• Instant PDF download after purchase

The Billy Gilet is a practical layering piece with timeless workwear appeal. Its lined and unlined options make it suitable for year-round sewing, while the choice of internal or external facings allows you to personalize the finish. Make it in rugged canvas or oilskin for outdoor wear, soft wool for warmth or corduroy for a classic textured vest.

This pattern is supplied as a digital PDF download in English. No printed paper pattern or finished garment will be shipped.