I make lots and I really do mean lots of sweatshirt jackets to sell. I prefer Jerzees 50/50 with the Nublend . They wear like iron , almost no shrinkage , the color lasts alot longer, they dry much quicker and are actually warmer because of the poly. There is also a lot less pilling of the fleece side. Some of the 100 percent cotton I tried over the years just could not pass muster on quality control. The shrinkage is in the lenght , not a good thing as once you cut the band off they really are not that long. The pilling was quite substantial on the 100 percent cotton , and was very unappealing.
I have had customers come back 10 years later and still wearing the sweatshirt.
If I counted the number I have made it would be over 1500. Lost track of the actual count years ago.
No matter what sweatshirt you choose, pre-shink it! Its really not a good thing when all of the fabrics and the sweatshirt shrink at different rates.

I agree with Lori S. I used to paint on sweatshirts a long time ago, and the Jerzees brand were the preferred brand because of their durability.

This really depends on the manufacture , how you want it to look, how much peicing you put on the front( the piecing takes up some of the width and the give in the sweatshirt) , and how if you cut the sides and re- seam after the peicing. I find they look better when the front opening just comes together without too much over lap.
Jerzees is very generous in there sizing, and almost no shrinkage. Take tape measure to see just how big the shirt is, and subtract your seams. If you are taking a 1/2 inch then subtract 2 inches from the shirt measurement and that will be how wide the finished shirt will be. Some make them a bit bigger( or compensating for the seams) by adding a more to the front in the way of button bands the lenght of the shirt. or a wide binding that does not use the sweatshirt to fill to the outer edge of the binding.

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Some of the 100 percent cotton I tried over the years just could not pass muster on quality control. The shrinkage is in the lenght , not a good thing as once you cut the band off they really are not that long. [/quote]

No you haven't gotten shorter, and if it still fits as in my case maybe you've gotten wider. :shock:
This is the nature of cotton knit fabrics. Check out your less expensive 100 % cotton T's. The same thing happens to them. Pays to go for better quality.

I've always wanted to make one of these. Thank you for the advice. We've had so many sweatshirts over the years that did not hold their shape.

Our lqs has a jacket class. When they make their jackets they do is turn their jackets inside out. So that the fury side of the shirt is what you sew your fabric on and that you have a nice smoothness on the inside of the jacket. Although I think that the fury part of the shirt would help to keep warm.

I know I have bought jerzee shirts before but it has been awhile. Who sells them. Walmart?

I have bought joeboxer shirt from kmart. Just looked and it is 80% cotton and 20% poly. The band seems to be not to tight at the bottom but not that loose either. What do you think? Is this one a good prospect for a jacket. Kmart had them the other day on sale for $3.00. (Reg. $10.00).

I found out that my lqs when they had their class they reused the bands for the sleeves. Do any of you reuse the bands that are already on the shirt?

When using the men's denim shirt to make a quilted jacket, how do you determine what size? Also, do you take it all apart to quilt and then sew it back together?
Thanks,
Lynn