Well-----------------I made a really big project for myself to test out the size and fit of a sweatshirt base for a quilted jacket.

First I took apart a lower end shirt, worn and laundered umteen times, and discovered the sections (front, back and two sleeves) were every which size. I quickly put the parts in the rag bag.

Second I took a nice heavy weight shirt from the same brand name manufacturer and carefully unsewed the seams and removed the ribbing. This shirt was very well made and had a stabilized yoke at the back neckline and stabilized "v" at the center front. Success prevailed as all of my pieces matched nicely.

I think the differences amounted to the new heavier weight fabric and better construction techniques. I also stay stitched the neckline and center front prior to removing the ribbing. Immediately after removing the ribbing and the shoulder and side seams, I stay stiched the shoulder, armseye, side seam and bottom.

I used a few yards of tiedye fabric which I had on hand. This was washed and ironed in preparation for my experiment.

Now, I used spray basting outside to join the pieces in the sandwich fashion. Out came the blue painter's masking tape and the varigated thread....I cross hatched the entire set of pieces. I wasn't sure I would have enough varigated thread so I used light gray on the bobbin and that worked nicely.

My original plan was to stipple these surfaces, but I am learning and just couldn't see myself practicing on such large pieces. I am not petite or small boned, if you get my drift. :lol:

I cut the front down the center front after I had finished the cross hatching and the garment went together very quickly. Shoulder seams,
including more stabilizing stitching, attaching the sleeves to the armseye, and finally the long wrist to bottom hem sleeve-body seam.

I made bias binding out of 2.25 inch wide strips of the same fabric and attached it to the outer exposed edges (bottom, center fronts and neckline. I haven't decided how I will finish off the cuff as yet. I could
trim to length or leave them rolled up. In any case, I will bind them with the bias binding.

The jacket feels good and I have the pleasure of doing some handwork on the binding. that's a treat for me and seems to be the frosting on the cake.

What did I learn???
How to use spray basting, how the sandwich feels with the three layers, how if fits, how to stay stitch the garment in preparation for taking the garment apart, how warm a jacket would be, etc.
Perhaps the best thing is that I thoroughly enjoyed sewing in my sewing area and let the housework keep for another day!!!!!!!
I did my research on line and got loads of tips from members of this board. I thank you :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

Do any of you go to such extremes when making a garment for yourself?

I want to make more jackets: vertical strips of various lengths will be my next project.

Have you ever used something other than the sweatshirt as the base?

Did you line the inside of your jacket?

I've completed one silly project and now I have different questions :!:

Well, thanks for letting me ramble. I was a good to sew in a sunny, air conditioned room and just have fun. Hope your days are just as enjoyable as the one I had.

Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan




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Hi Kay, I have never made one of those jackets. It is on my list of future projects though. Thanks for sharing your experience and helpful tips. Do you have a photo to share?

Kay, that sounds like a wonderful project. I admire your fortitude! It sounds lovely. Let us see a picture!

I have made a sweetshit jacket once. I used a pattern for it though,so it didn't seem so big of a project like yours. I did line it and quilted it with stippling that was kinda small so it made the jacket sort of stiff but the lady I gave it to just loved it. It was a red hat lady panel that I used.

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement Cecila, CindyBee, Loretta and Donna.

After I posted last night I thought I should have just put my thoughts in a journal!!!

I'm a home economist by training, but it's been years since I taught sewing and tailoring as I've spent most my years in business situations.

I just hate to mess up something as large as the jacket project.

Now, I will concentrate on my pictures. My sewing room is so lovely that I am still pinching myself. It is real :D :D :D

I took a serger class years ago, & the lady showed us how to make a t-shirt/sweat shirt. It is in how you fold your material & cut. (all rotary cut) If any one is interested I would be glad to share the pattern/cutting directions w/ you.
I have made jackets-long sleeve as well as short sleeve t-shirts with it. The jackets are all zip up the front & I even got adventurous and put hoods on them. I have made my jackets out of fleece as well as cordaroy(sp). Also light weight cottons.
I have not made them out of quilt sqs, but don't see why it wouldn't work. There is NO stay stitching involved & it all goes together like a dream. Also, there are no "set in" sleeves.
Thanks for your time.
Billie

Do you have to have a serger for this and can you use knit fabric, sounds interesting. Do you have any pictures of the thing you made :D

Kay, it sounds fantastic - I can't wait to see a picture!!

Bravo, Kay. I have a "I can't believe it's a sweatshirt" pattern that has been sitting in my drawer for about three years -- one of those "someday" projects. I am inspired by you to dig it out and tackle it. I hope to see a picture of your jacket. It sounds lovely.

No a serger is not required. But it helps to stabilize the seams. When my serger has been in the shop, I have the jackets as well as shirts, on the sewing machine. Fleece is WONDERFUL to sew into jackets. 2 way stretch or 1 way stretch you have to be really careful w/ the stretch that you don't stretch it as you sew. Sometimes I sew that little bitty really narrow twill tape to the shoulder seams so they don't stretch as I sew.
Like I said a really easy "no pattern" pattern.
I haven't got any pictures to show you, as I really don't know how to get them from my camera to the computor & dh is pretty well confined to his lift/recliner chair. I"ll try & see what I can come up with.
I made myself a jacket out of BRIGHT orange fleece & dh a jacket out of an orange camo-fleece. We wear them when we go hunting.
Billie

I keep trying to add pictures.....

I used orphan log cabin squares for this tote --- basically techniques for base and handles taken from Bow Tucks design

Thanks to Cordelia from Washington, D.C. area we are all enjoying the special fabrics we can't live without in "tote" or purse form. Penney Sturges - Bow Tucks...love the inside pockets

Jeri"s Quilt Patch in Norway, Michigan offers loads of Civil War fabrics.
I chose a jellyroll of forty different prints. I will have a blast making more items out of the remaining pieces.

I really like your jacket and your totes. I love the log cabin one. I have the bow tucks pattern and have made two totes from it and plan to make more. I might have to borrow your idea with the log cabin one. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

I love all of them! I am into red and black and love that tote - want my addy?

You're sweatshirt jacket is wonderful, I've always thought about making one but still haven't. Your totes are just lovely...they are so colorful and nice! Great job!

Nice job love them all...

Everyone has been so generous with your encouragement and praise. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Last evening I met with my quilting sisters for the second annual front porch potluck. We have been making totes. It is amazing how many different designs have been made. Quilters do have wonderful imaginations!

Sew happy to have this outlet to share with you...

Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan

Very cool!

Your jacket looks nice and love your purses!

WOW!! Love the jacket!! Nice work.

Lynne

Love the Totes!!!! They are great!!!!!

The jacket is beautiful and the tote not too shabby either. Good work :!:

I bought a sweatshirt jacket last year and I used it EVERY day!!! I Love yours. Billie G said she had a pattern She would share. I am interested! Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures...I want to do that! I have so many ideas but never enough time since I spend so much on this site!!! LUV IT

sorry about not getting back to you on this- I'll try & explain

first I'll try & explain how to draw the pattern onto paper

go get an ol' ratty t shirt. One that kind of fits.

fold it in half shoulder to shoulder so that the fold is centered in the front.

now lay that down on your straight edge of paper. You have just created your center front & back.

now get your pencil-sharpie-pen marking tool of choice.

draw the neckline NEXT TO the neckline of the shirt-from the straight edge to the corner of where the shoulder seam meets the neck

now do you see how the shoulders kind of slant down on the shirt towards the sleeves? o.k. now draw a line from the neck (at the shoulders) to the other edge of the paper. following the slant.
Now measure down the edge of your paper about 20".
draw a line straight across the paper from side to side.
using your paper scissors of choice-cut on the marked lineS.

now using the straight edge you just cut from -go about 18" down on one side of the paper & measure in about 4". From the inside edge of that mark make(not the straight edge) draw a line up to the other side. you will have a REALLY looking shape. Kind of like a long triangle w/ a flat but.

Congratulations you have just drawn a pattern. !!!!!!!!!!!

Is any of this clear as mud????
If you look at this paper you have drawn on, you will see that you have made one half of a t shirt. front & back.

to make the front dip in the shirt-usually called the front neckline-measure down about 1 to 1 & 1/2". make a mark w/ your marker of choice. That is you mark to cut the front of the shirt.

you also, have made 1 half of a long sleeve.

this is getting pretty long. If you want to know how to put this together as a shirt or jacket let me know & I'll try & give instructions for that.
Good luck all!
Billie G

Thanks so much! I think this is going to work! Still haven't figured out how to post pictures though!! Have a pieceful day! Bonnie

Love them all.

Very exciting to see such nice work, you did great!

Good morning...

Thanks to everyone who has posted.

It is fun to share and learn for each person on this board. I appreciate the time you have taken to read the posting and add your comments and tip/directions for projects.

Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan

Your jacket and totes are very nice! Very attractive! For some reason I don't understand how the seams are finished inside the jacket if the lining is quilted along with the sweatshirt pieces and the top fabric - do you cover the seams on the inside with tape or something to hide the raw edges? I found a piece of fabric in a thrift shop and am eager to get a jacket made much like yours!! Hooray!! thanks, Mary

These are really awesome !!!! Very very very nice.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Billie..That would be great...I am very interested in almost everything that involved the sewing machine and serger (I have very little experience.....and I love the idea to learn......Thanks in advance :lol: :lol: :lol:

Absolutely adore the jacket it is to die for. The totes are super as well, think my favorite is the second picture, really nice.

Elle

I think you did a great job on everything!