I love the look and feel of cozy and colourful quilts scattered around my house, but sometimes I just want to take my quilts out into the world. Since it’s not quite socially-acceptable to show up at work wrapped in a giant throw quilt, I did the next best thing- a quilted coat! I’ve loved the idea of making a patchwork jacket ever since seeing the beautiful quilt coats that Haptic Lab launched last year.
I decided to make my quilted jacket using Grainline Studio’s Tamarack Jacket pattern. I liked the fitted look, longer back and bias binding finishes. I debated using the Wiksten Haori pattern instead, but felt like it might be a little bulky once all the patchwork pieces were stitched together. For the front and back pieces of my jacket I cut up a toddler-sized sample quilt that I had made a few years ago for my quilt line. Since I didn’t have quite enough left for the sleeves, I made them out of smaller half-squre triangle blocks cut from scrap fabric I had in my stash. I had to get creative with some of the piecing, and had just enough fabric to complete my sleeves. While the construction of this jacket is not complicated, the patchwork piecing and quilting can be time consuming. I worked away on this jacket for a few months, sneaking in about 2-3 hours of sewing time each week after my kids went to bed.
For the outer jacket, I used Kaufman’s Essex yarn-dyed linen in Nautical and a range of blue-green cotton solids from the Kona line. I stitched the binding with Kona Pepper, and lined my jacket in a quilting cotton-weight stripe in cream and blue. For the batting, I used Quilter's Dream Cotton Batting, but I’d also love to try making this with their wool batting for extra warmth.
The only modifications I made were to the pockets. While I liked that the welt pockets the pattern called for wouldn't take away from the patchwork design, I thought they’d be more difficult to sew because I had patchwork seams running across the welt pocket lines. And let’s be honest- I was also a bit chicken about cutting into my garment. Instead, I created patch pockets and tried to line up the patchwork seam lines as best I could to the jacket front. This involved lots of tracing paper and head-scratching. They’re not quite perfect, but definitely good enough! To finish the pockets I added bias binding to the sides and bottom of the patch pocket, then stitched them to the jacket front using my ¼ inch presser foot and then my edgestitch foot.
I hope this post inspires you to get creative, and make yourself something special. I highly recommend the Tamarack Jacket pattern for advanced beginner sewists and fellow quilters wanting to try out garment making. Grainline Studio also created a sew-along for this garment if you’d like a bit more step-by-step help.
Looking for more quilt coat ideas? I’m always inspired by people’s creations shared using the hashtag #tamarackjacket on Instagram. Also, be sure to check out my quilted jacket board on Pinterest.
Happy crafting (whatever you choose to make)- stay warm and cozy this fall!
Just stunning! I have procrastinated on making my Tamarack and now I realize this is exactly what I have been waiting for! Not quite sure what the final product will look like—-but the inspiration from you—absolutely invaluable. And I love that you repurposed a quilt and even found the scaps to finish it off. Your pockets are a perfect solution. Gorgeous jacket!!
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Back in August, an editor at the U.K. magazine Mollie Makes emailed me to ask if I would be interested in designing and making a trio of punch needle animal stuffies for their December 2019 cover. I’ll admit I was intimidated- the deadline was tight considering my kids were still home with me for summer break, and I had more than a bit of performance anxiety (what if they’re just “meh” about the final product?). In the end I said yes, and I’m so thrilled with how this project turned out!
This month I was featured in an article by Chatelaine Magazine on bringing punch needle into your home décor. The article touches on the current trend of punch needle, its history, and profiles a number of talented punch needle artists selling patterns, supplies, and finished work. Writer Iris Benaroia interviewed me for the article and included a great little write-up of me and my work. I love the quote she included of me describing punch needle as “the least frustrating craft I’ve ever tried”. Perfectly summed up!
Today I’m sharing a free pattern with you: my punch needle grapefruit! This is one of the first things I made with my punch needle and is a great project for beginners.
When you’re done punching your grapefruit you could turn it into a stuffie like I did (‘cause who doesn’t need a plush grapefruit to snuggle with?) or fill in the background and turn it into a wall-hanging.
Lesley @Homeday Studio
November 09, 2019
Aww- thanks so much Karen! I have many (many!) unfinished projects scattered around the house… sometimes we need to just to let things sit before diving back in (or letting go of a project is sometimes the right thing too!). Glad I brought you a little inspiration to continue your Tamarack. Happy sewing! :)
-Lesley