Published on:
January 22, 2026
Create the Team Canada Sherpa Fleece Inspired by Heated Rivalry
Over the past few weeks, a Team Canada sherpa fleece jacket has taken social media by storm. Seen in the hit series Heated Rivalry, and worn by one of the main characters, this jacket quickly became an iconic piece.
We love it for its retro sports aesthetic, which has turned into a viral sensation across TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. Cozy, iconic, and deeply rooted in Canadian hockey culture, its popularity couldn’t come at a better time. With the Winter Olympics approaching, the desire to create your own Team Canada jacket to cheer on our athletes has never felt more relevant.
Source: Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander, wearing a Team Canada sherpa fleece in the series Heated Rivalry. (Crave)
As reported by Radio-Canada, social media was quickly overtaken by fans looking to recreate the jacket, to the point where the show’s costume designer, Hanna Puley, commented on the trend on Instagram. Source
Good news!
We’ve created a step-by-step sewing tutorial to help you recreate the iconic Heated Rivalry Team Canada jacket at home, even if you’re not an expert sewist. In this guide, we walk you through each step at your own pace so you can sew your own jacket inspired by the series with confidence.
Materials Needed to Sew the Team Canada Jacket
To recreate the sherpa fleece jacket inspired by Heated Rivalry, you have two options:
- Sew the jacket from start to finish, or
- Customize an existing jacket for a quicker, more beginner-friendly project.
Choose the option that best suits your skill level and your creative mood.
Option 1 | Full Jacket Construction
Fabrics and Pattern
- Jalie 4458 – Sam – Classic Polar Zippered Sweater: A reliable base that offers a comfortable fit and is easy to adapt to the Heated Rivalry style.
- Teddy Recycled Sherpa: Quantity depends on the size selected from the pattern.
- 25 cm Kona Cotton in Canada Red colour: Used for the maple leaf appliqués. Allow extra fabric if you plan to create the CANADA letters as appliqués.
Customization and Details
- C-A-N-A-D-A Iron-On Embroidered Letter Patches (White): To create the CANADA lettering on the back.
- Rit Synthetic Liquid Dye in Racing Red: Used to dye the letter patches to a true Canada red.
- 50 cm 16 mm Red Grosgrain Ribbon
- 25 cm Heat n Bond Ultra Fusible Adhesive: Essential for securing appliqués before stitching.
- Maple Leaf Appliqué Template
Mercerie et outils
- Gütermann All-Purpose Polyester Thread 100 m – 405
- Gütermann All-Purpose Polyester Thread 100 m – 021
- White #7 Separating Coil Zipper: Length according to jacket size.
- Fabric Scissors
Option 2 | Customize an Existing Jacket (Simplified Version)
This option is perfect if you’re looking for a less intensive project, if you’re not fully comfortable with sewing, or if you’d like to give new life to a jacket you already own.
Project Base
- Existing beige fleece or sherpa jacket. Ideally, with a simple cut and a fabric that’s thick enough to support appliqués.
Required Materials
- 25 cm Kona Cotton in Canada Red colour: Used for the maple leaf appliqués. Allow extra fabric if you plan to create the CANADA letters as appliqués.
- C-A-N-A-D-A Iron-On Embroidered Letter Patches (White): To create the CANADA lettering on the back.
- Rit Synthetic Liquid Dye – Racing Red: Used to dye the letter patches to a true Canada red.
- 50 cm 16 mm Red Grosgrain Ribbon
- 25 cm Heat n Bond Ultra Fusible Adhesive; Essential for securing appliqués before stitching.
- Maple Leaf Appliqué Template
- Gütermann All-Purpose Polyester Thread 100 m – 405
- Fabric Scissors
Creative Tip
You can create your own “CANADA” appliqués using the free letter templates for a unique, fully customized look. Simply print the letters at your desired size.
other colours available
Member price
$12.59
Regular price
$17.99
Preparing the Lettering
Option: Dyeing the Letter Patches (Do This Ahead of Time)
If you’re using white letter patches, they must be dyed red at least 24 hours in advance.
Follow the synthetic dye instructions directly on the official RIT website to achieve an even, well-set color.
Once the dyeing process is complete, allow the patches to dry completely before handling them. Before applying them to the sherpa, test the patches on a fabric scrap to make sure the dye does not bleed.
Good to Know
A patch that is still damp or not properly rinsed can transfer colour onto the sherpa, which can be difficult (if not impossible) to fix afterward.
Option: Creating the “CANADA” Appliqués
You can also create your own “CANADA” appliqués using the free letter templates for a unique, fully customized look. Simply print the letters at your desired size.
If you choose to make your own “CANADA” appliqués, you can follow the exact same method used for the maple leaf appliqués in this tutorial (see below).
- Cut out the letters using the free templates
- Secure them with Heat n Bond
- Apply them to the jacket or vest according to your preferred layout
- Finish by stitching around the letters with a narrow zigzag stitch
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS | Sewing Tutorial
If you’re sewing the jacket using the Jalie Sam pattern, start by cutting out all pattern pieces according to your size, then prepare and cut your fabric pieces.
Before assembling anything, follow the steps below first. You’ll complete all personalization steps (letters, appliqués, etc.) while the pieces are still flat, which is much easier and results in a cleaner, more professional finish.
Sewing the Lettering
1. Positioning the “CANADA” Letters
Position the CANADA letters evenly on the back of the jacket. Make sure the full word is centered across the middle of the back. Using a ruler is highly recommended to achieve straight, precise alignment.
2. Pinning the Letters
Carefully pin each letter in place, taking care not to shift their positioning. This step can be a bit delicate—take your time. Precision here will make a big difference in the final result.
3. Sewing the Letter Patches (If Using Embroidered Letters)
This step applies only if you’re using embroidered letter patches.
We recommend using a zipper foot to sew the patches. This allows you to stitch closer to the raised embroidered edge of each letter, resulting in a cleaner, more professional finish.
4. Stitching the Letters — Precision and Settings
For this step, attention to detail is key.
Recommended stitch length: 3.5 to 4
- Stitch all the way around each letter, making sure they don’t shift as you sew.
- Sew slowly and steadily.
- At each corner, raise the presser foot, pivot the fabric, then continue stitching.
- Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the stitching.
5. Pro Tip
To make this step easier and keep your fingers safely away from the needle:
- Use a long, pointed tool to hold the patch in place while sewing.
- A tapered tailor’s awl (such as the Clover awl) works perfectly for this task.
Take your time—patience will give you a professional-looking result.
The back of the jacket is now complete. Next up: the maple leaf appliqués.
Preparing and Applying the Maple Leaf Appliqués
6. Preparing the Maple Leaf Appliqués
Grab your red fabric and Heat n Bond, then print and cut out the maple leaf template.
7. Applying Heat n Bond to the Fabric
Apply a piece of Heat n Bond to the wrong side of your red fabric.
Note: If you’re using a poly-cotton fabric, the polyester fibers may react to heat and cause slight rippling in the appliqué.
8. Cutting Out the Appliqué
Trace the maple leaf shape onto the paper side of the Heat n Bond, then carefully cut out the appliqué.
9. Placing the Maple Leaf on the Sleeves
Position the appliqué about 6 inches below the center of the shoulder. Mark a small guide so placement is even and symmetrical.
10. Fusing the Appliqué in Place
Peel off the paper backing and place the appliqué exactly where you marked it.
11. Pressing the Appliqué (Use Caution)
Press gently to fuse the appliqué in place.
Heat warning: Sherpa (polyester) is heat-sensitive and can melt or lose its texture.
Pro tip: Place a press cloth between the iron and the fabric to protect the sherpa.
12. Stitching Around the Maple Leaf
Stitch around the entire leaf using a very short, narrow zigzag stitch.
- Recommended stitch width: 3.5 mm (adjust to your preference)
- This step can feel intimidating, but it’s easier than it looks, go slowly and your finish will look clean and professional.
Completing the Final Customization and Finishing the Jacket
13. Assembling the Jacket
Take a moment to admire your work so far—you can now assemble the Sam Jalie jacket by following the pattern instructions.
Stop once you reach the collar, as you’ll add the final detail in the next step.
14. Installing the Red Trim at the Collar
Measure the required length of red grosgrain ribbon directly along the collar, allowing a small amount of extra length at each end.
15. Sewing the Ribbon
Stitch the ribbon along both sides, centering it over the collar seam on the outside of the jacket.
Complete the remaining construction of the jacket according to the pattern.
And that’s it!
You can now admire your finished jacket and get cozy rewatching Heated Rivalry or cheering on Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, all while staying warm in your very own Team Canada fleece.
Why Heated Rivalry Inspires Us So Much
The online buzz around the Team Canada sherpa fleece seen in the series sparked our desire to create and personalize our own version and to share how you can do the same through this tutorial. Recreating this jacket, whether sewing it from start to finish or customizing an existing one, feels like a natural way for us to celebrate a series that truly inspired us.
After all, sewing is a bit of our superpower: turning what we see on screen into something tangible, made by hand.
And you did Heated Rivalry leave the same impression on you as it did on us?
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