Start by choosing a sweatshirt that's a little too big. An old sweatshirt is fine, even with a design on it. I chose a sweatshirt a size bigger than I normally wear.

Lay the sweatshirt out nice and flat, front side up.

Lay a ruler across it and mark the center between the sleeves, at the armpits and near the bottom.

Turn the ruler so that it is along all three marks and draw a line down the center of the sweatshirt.

Now slide a cutting board between the front and back (so you don't accidentally cut the back) and cut the front open along the line.

Cut the ribbing off the bottom edge. You can take out the stitching if you want to, but I just cut it off.

I am very lazy about cutting the ribbing off the sleeves, I just push a ruler up against the seam and run a rotary cutter along it.

Find the crease line on the side, under the sleeve. It's always been nice and straight for me and I just cut up to the seam on it. I have also used sweatshirts that have a seam down the side that can be cut open.

Cut open the sleeve, either with a rotary cutter, scissors, or by removing the threads.

Than you have a big, floppy, chopped up rag.

Now you need at least 5 fabrics. I'm having a blue day so chose these from my stash. I always llike to use one with a wee bit of glitter or shine. You need half yards or two fat quarters if you are using 5 fabrics.

A variety of patterns and lights and darks helps. The first jacket I made was really bright with primary colors. The one for my mother in law was more toned downs in greens, browns and golds.

Press the fabrics and stack them in as many layers as you like to cut.

You will need approx. 8 inches WOF for the binding, or you can use packaged binding.

A couple of the fabrics I chose are 2 yard pieces so I chose one for the binding.

Now it's time to just cut the fabric into random pieces. I just use triangles, rectangles and squares. I stacked 3 folded fabrics (6 layers) and cut 3 different width strips. I think they were 2 inches, 3.5 inches, and about 5 inches. I then cut the strips into smaller shapes. Next, I'll do the other 3 fabrics I chose. I don't necessarily cut it all right now, I can always cut more later if I need it, but I like to have a big pile to start with.

Once all of your pieces are cut, just toss them in a pile in on the table. Ok, if you MUST, you can organize them.

Lay a section of the jacket out flat and select random pieces of cut fabric. Spray the pieces lightly with a temporary adhesive and place them on the jacket. I start in the front at the bottom, but there is no particular reason to do this. Do try to get the pieces pretty close to the edges, even hanging over is ok, you can trim them later. Resist the urge to make everything straight!

Now for thread. You need lots. I used nearly 600 meters on the brown jacket. The variegated was very nice, but I'm using one of my big embroidery spools this time so I don't have to worry about running out.

Bobbin thread: The bobbin thread will show anytime the jacket is open, so keep that in mind. I am sewing on a dark blue sweatshirt and I don't want to have to keep winding blue bobbins so I am going to use black prewounds.

You can stitch the edges with a simple zig zag, or you can use decorative stitches. I did my very first jacket using an irridescent thread (which broke often) and lots of fancy stitches. You really couldn't see the fancy stitches very well and it was quite hard to maneuver around all of the corners so now I just stick with a zig zag.

Ok, I decided on the medium blue thread. I set my zig zag stitch length at 1.0. There will be some fraying so I wanted the stitching to contain it somewhat.

I start by running a straight stitch around the outside edges, there's no need for zigzagging since those edges will be either in the seam or under the binding.

Be careful not to stretch the sweatshirt while you are stitching the pieces on.

Now, just keep adding pieces and sewing them on until the entire jacket is covered.

What a great tute. Thanks.

One of the clearest and best turorials I have seen!!!!!!
Thanks so much.
auntmarie

Thanks for the tutorial.

I know what I can use all those sweatshirts for, now. I have been looking for something, now by jove 'I think I got it".I have lots of batiks or is it 30's, naw the Hannah colection or ........I will make them all. Oh no, may ahve to get more sweatshirts, the ones I have are dark and some of the ideas are light fabric. Oh what a dilema.

Thanks, I've been wanting to try this.

Do you have a picture of the finished sweatshirt?

uglycook, Thanks you for this. Can't wait to try it

I'd like to see a picture also!

WOW! What a wonderful guide to creating a jacket! I have been wanting to do something like this, but had no idea how to start. I love the idea of using all my remnants. Could you talk a little bit about how you sewed it up and how you did the binding? I have never does this before and need the extra info. Thanks so much for taking the time to show us step-by-step how to make a jacket.

I am a novice at quilting, but always "ooh" and "aah" whenever I've seen one of these completed...your directions are so clear, that I now just might be inspired to get out my 'stash' of sweatshirts that I've been saving for this project....thank-you...Naomi

I'm also curious on how you finished up the seams so they don't ravel. The sweatshirt jackets I've made were never cut open at the side and arm seams. And I only added piecing to the front. I'm assuming since you cut the sleeves open you also pieced on them also?

I'm assuming form the pics that the only sweatshirt ribbing you left in place was around the neck, correct? How did you bind down the front and did you add buttons/zipper? I'd love to see a picture of the finished jacket. Also, did you add a fold-back cuff on end of the sleves or just binding? And I'm assuming the binding around the bottom was just straight binding, correct?

The only thing you forgot to add was, buy sweatshirt 1 size larger than normal, wash sweatshirt before cutting up. My camera batteries are dead, or else I'd send you a picture of mine.

I'm glad you are finding this helpful. I will post more pics of finishing this jacket as I do it. I do have pics of a couple of others I made and I'll add them.

I tried to print off your instructions, but the right hand side is chopped off....................

Beautiful! I am going to make one for the 4th of July! Thanks for the instructions and the inspiration!

I have found that if I don't cut up the front before I put the fabric on, it holds the shape better. I cut off the bottom ribbing, sleeve ribbing, and then cut up the side and sleeve. I leave the neck ribbing on until I've finished. I cut the neck ribbing off, as well as cutting up the center front after I've finished all the "patchwork", and put binding on neck, front, and bottom. I usually put a cuff/border on the sleeve so I can turn up the sleeves a little bit. A lady came to our quilt guild and did a workshop on these shirts. On some of them, she left the neck ribbing on, and put the bottom ribbing back on and didn't cut them up the front -- and her husband wears some of them. The ones she showed us were just gorgeous. I'll see if I can find some pictures and post them later.

Thanks for the tip. I already cut down the middle of the first one but I will try it your way next time. It sounds like it will hold it's shape better and be easier to piece.

Hi, Iam looking for someone that knowns how to make one of those tie flannel blankets, Thanks

How to make a one offthe tie on flannelquilt

That totally makes sense to hold off on cutting the center. I'll try it that way next time. Can't wait to see your pics.

Is there anyway that you can put a zipper on it? Or would that not work?

I think a zipper would work just fine.

Here are a couple I made. I think I've posted my DGD already, but don't mind showing her off again (LOL). I'm still looking foir pictures of the one that isn't cut in front.

I love love the jacket and Great tutorial .. thanks
Jan

I would like to make one for myself, but I like to have my jackets or sweaters buttoned or zipped.

You can add buttons, frog closures or zippers. No problem.

"Here are a couple I made. I think I've posted my DGD already, but don't mind showing her off again (LOL). I'm still looking foir pictures of the one that isn't cut in front."

Those are SO cute!!!!

Thanks Ugly Cook, your directions were very clear. I am going to try one, they look great.

I always wanted to make one of these. My problem is I don't know how to save your directions onto my file on the PC.
Can someone help me.

All of these are so cute! What a neat idea. Thanks for the great tute; can't wait to try this!