Make a fashion statement with up-cycled patchwork sweatshirts

Cristy Clark (left) and Nancy Allen
wearing their up-cycled sweatshirt jackets.

Wearable Quilt Art can put a smile on your face! As living proof, here are Cristy and Nancy who presented a program on embellishing sweatshirts at the October Choo Choo Quilters guild meeting.

At the meeting, guild members were treated to tips and examples for up-cycling a "ho-hum" sweatshirt into a fashionable and snuggly patchwork jacket—just in time for the cooler fall weather.

Looking to put a dent in you scrap basket?
Have some orphan quilt blocks?
Want a solution for showing off a collection of pre-cut fabric strips, charm squares or batik panels?

Think about embellishing a sweatshirt!

Strips and strings used to embellish a sweatshirt.

Here is an example of using fabric strips and strings in neutrals, greys and small prints to cover the outside of this charcoal grey sweatshirt.

Nancy discusses using quilt blocks and patchwork on a sweatshirt.

Sweatshirts can be new or well-worn because they serve as the foundation of the jacket and will be covered with other fabrics. Watch for off-season sales on sweatshirts, dig through your closet, or enjoy the thrill of the hunt at thrift shops or the Good Will store for good buys. Nancy said she scored 2 or 3 gently used sweatshirts and paid only a few dollars each at a thrift store.

Example of how to lengthen the jacket.

Sweatshirt jackets.

October Show and Tell

The Choo Choo Quilters always have great quilts to show and share. Here are some of their latest projects and fabulous finds.

Dawn's quilt with a prairie point edge.

Sherry's quilt in rich fall colors.

Beverly shared this wonderful antique find.

Dating the fabrics in this antique quilt top.

Veronica's quilt top with appliqué flowers
made with a collection of pre-cut strips.

We added a few more Cuddle Quilts to our community service project.

Nancy has been busy making Cuddle Quilts.

Cuddle Quilts

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