On the list of iconic fashion garments, there are a few classics without fail: the little black dress, the crisp white shirt, the belted trench coat, and the classic French cardigan jacket. What they share is an uncomplicated elegance and a clever marriage of fabric, fit, and design.

But in none of these garments is the partnership more splendid than in the cardigan jacket. With the added element of sewing techniques that brilliantly bring the design to life, it’s no wonder the term “classic” so aptly applies. Subtle quilting, hand-finished seams, a chain-weight hem, and fine trims are hallmarks of this classic garment.

In the PDF article below, Susan Khalje demonstrates the four key features of a classic French jacket—quilted rows of stitches that anchor the soft bouclé fashion fabric to a slinky lining; hand-finished seams that provide hidden strength and support; a hard-working and decorative chain weight at…