Berlin’s Tierpark is always a favourite spot for families on a sunny holiday, and this October co-founder Toni chose it for an autumn stroll with her sister Thea and nephew. For the occasion, she put together a handmade DIY outfit: our 67-7 Short Trousers Skirt and the 02-1 Bomber Jacket.
It’s the perfect balance of comfort, movement and style – ideal for chasing after little ones while still looking chic.
✨ Let us take you behind the seams of this casual-preppy zoo look!
The Patterns We Used 🧵
02-1 Bomber Jacket
A versatile jacket pattern with a relaxed fit, roomy sleeves, and endless options for customization. Toni chose to embellish hers with fun collegiate-style patches for a sporty twist. See the pattern in our shop here.
67-7 LIVELY Skort / Trouser Skirt
This clever design combines the playful look of a pleated mini skirt with the practicality of shorts. With its fitted waistband and box pleats, it creates volume and ease – perfect for strolling through the park or climbing the playground. See the pattern in our shop here.
A few words from Evi about our Bomber Jacket 02-1
"A few notes on our College Jacket – one of our lesser-known patterns that truly deserves the spotlight.
The silhouette of this jacket is defined by pleats and darts in the back as well as rounded side seams, creating a slightly voluminous shape. What makes this version stand out are the unusual material choices: the front and back panels are sewn from a warm, fine fleece fabric that was easy to work with, while the sleeves are made from vegan leather. This is a sustainable, paper-based material – eco-friendly, vegan and visually striking. It is a bit stiff, making it more challenging to sew, but the result is worth it.
The patches reflect a family passion for American football – they are easy to sew on and available in countless variations. Only the sleeves are lined and finished with cuffs; the rest of the jacket is unlined, making it fairly straightforward to sew.
These are just our suggestions – we can’t wait to see your own versions of this pattern. Have fun experimenting!"
The Fabric Choice: Classic Neutrals with a Twist ✂️
The skort is sewn in a cool wool, men's suit fabric. It gives this playful design a super sophisticated touch as it also could easily be combined with a blazer for a full ensemble.
This version of the bomber jacket is made from fine fleece for warmth and structure, with sleeves and collar crafted from an amazing paper leather that adds texture and contrast.
Here are a few links for vegan leather with a paper touch. Fortunately you can find this at many fabric shops now:
For the body of our college jacket we used a fine jersey fleece from fabrichouse.
Styling Notes for a Preppy Stroll Look 🐒
Toni styled her DIY outfit with:
– White turtleneck top as a layering base
– White socks and chunky black loafers
– Oversized sunglasses for a touch of glamour
The result: a playful college-inspired silhouette with comfort at its core.
Our Favourite Zoo Moments 🦒
If you’re visiting the Tierpark in Berlin, here are a few highlights to look out for:
- Flamingos in the autumn sun
- Toni and G always have to stay a long time at Hippo Bay. Today one of them made such loud roaring noises that the whole building shook :)
- Watching elephants up close
- We are always blown away by the pure beauty of the zoo itself with many beautiful flowers and little hidden corners – just the hydrangeas alone!
- The penguins and seals were our favourites today
Want to Sew the Outfit?
This look combines two patterns that are great for intermediate sewists who enjoy a bit of technical detail.
🧵 Estimated time:
– Short Trousers Skirt: about 1 day, including pleats, waistband, and finishing
– Bomber Jacket: 3–4 afternoons, depending on lining and embellishment choices
👗 Sewing level: Advanced (the skirt requires precision with pleats, the jacket involves multiple pieces and finishing techniques)
🧷 Supplies: zipper for the skirt, snaps or buttons for the jacket, optionally preppy patches or embroidery pieces for the jacket, optionally interfacing, and suitable fabrics, ribbed fabric for the cuffs
