Patchwork sweatshirts

Planning ahead for cooler temperatures, the Choo Choo Quilters worked on patchwork sweatshirt jackets at a July guild workshop. This is a fun project for using scraps, charm squares, or favorite fabrics such as hand-dyed and sun printed fabrics. Or, think about using a small batik panel as a focal point!

The sweatshirts were cut open at the side seams so the jacket was flat while working. Choosing fabrics and cutting strips and various shapes was the next step in preparing for the puzzle-piece layout.

The fabric pieces were laid out in various designs on the sweatshirts. Fabric pieces could be laid out so the color of the sweatshirt was exposed (like mortar between bricks in a wall) or they could be butted together for an all-over fabric collage.

Here are a few layout options of fabric and color placement. The fabric pieces were temporarily secured in place with pins and fabric glue sticks prior to machine stitching.

To customize your sweatshirt jacket, add inside or outside pockets. Embellish with decorative stitching patterns, variegated threads or attach buttons and beads. When complete, you'll be ready for the crisp autumn weather with your own, one-of-a-kind, patchwork fashion statement.

Patchwork sweatshirt jacket

The Choo Choo Quilters will be making patchwork jackets from sweatshirts and fabric strips this month. The program will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2010 starting at 9:30 a.m. Valleybrook Presbyterian Church in Hixson.

Bring a sweatshirt that is one size larger than you normally wear and the following supplies.

• Approximately 2 yards of fabrics to coordinate with the color of your sweatshirt (batiks were used in sample) 
• Cut fabric into strips approximately  2" to 4" wide (for sample, strips in several widths were cut into different shapes: triangles, squares, rectangles, etc.)
• several fabric glue sticks 

• scissors 

• rotary cuter 

• small cutting board 

• sewing machine with walking foot 

• thread to coordinate with fabrics