Turn sweatshirt into stylish jacket
Dear Vicki: I took a class in stitching appliques and loved it. I made a wonderful quilt for my bed, towels for the kitchen and a few gifts. I don’t want to make a jacket, but I would like to make something to wear that has appliques. Can you help me decide what to do now? Pat M.
Dear Pat: Yes. And you won’t have to make a jacket to have one to applique. Sweatshirts are so boxy and unflattering, but Jennifer Amor has designed a super way to refashion and embellish one. Here’s an idea for you: Jennifer’s Jiffy Jacket.
This pattern starts with a purchased sweatshirt, although by the time it’s finished you won’t believe that it ever was a sweatshirt. The pattern recuts the hem and puts a seam down the front. The fit is slim and elegant. There are applique flower designs that will give you another opportunity to practice your techniques.
Please look for this pattern at your local shop, but if you can’t find it, then send me a check for $12.95, and I’ll send you one.
Dear Vicki: Please write more about what different fabrics are made of and how to work with them. I save these columns in a file about the subject, and it really helps me. Thanks. Jane E.
Dear Jane: Thanks for the vote of confidence. Here are a few more bits of information:
There are a number of fabrics with complex weaves that give them body so that they are crisp and firm, which helps us make structured garments. Pique is one, and it has a number of different appearances. There is a waffle weave, bird’s eye, cat’s eye and pin cord — all of these are made by a weaving process that causes the front face to have ridges in different patterns. They are cotton fiber or a blend that mimics cotton, and they make great jackets, shorts, skirts and dresses for summer with classic appeal. Choose patterns that call for firm, not drapey, fabrics.
Matlasse, jacquard and brocade — these are fabrics that are also firm and complex, but they are usually woven in floral or paisley designs and are silk, rayon, wool or often metallic blends. Again, these are meant for structured garments, usually formal garments or upholstery. Each week I share a reader’s tip and thank him or her with a set of 100 fine English handsewing needles. This week the tip is from Sandy Richter, of Aurora, Ind. She writes:
“I try to keep my machines really clean because there are no convenient experts, so I can’t take them in as often as I would like to. My tip is that I use old mascara brushes to clean my machines, because the little spiral spikey hairs grab and help me remove the lint and dirt.”