Patchwork
Jacket: 1987
Like everyone else at the time I became obsessed with having a distinctive patchwork item of clothing. I had seen Yvonne Porcella’s colourful designs and began collecting a few books on how to make patchwork clothing. At the time I was still making my own clothes, especially knits. An Australian company, Knitwit had just taken off and the fabric and patterns were all top quality, not to mention easy to make.
I was certainly pleased with the outcome and
this jacket that took me to many a formal function in the late 80’s. Today, we sadly seem to have reverted to “patchwork means a bit hippy”. Too bad, it really did look nice…back then. Class run at QNH by Sue Longmore on strip
patchwork.
Each pattern piece was strip pieced over
backing and ultra-thin wadding. I chose
to use dusky pinks, blues and maroon. For
a bit of glam, I finished the jacket off with closures using bias button loops
and cow horn buttons. I did a little
hand quilting to add to softness to the vertical strips and enhance that
handcrafted feel. In all it took about
15 hours to finish.
Exhibited at the Geelong Quilters Guild Exhibition in Jan 1988
Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 78 x 79cm
Block Size: Strip
Cut in: 1987
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1987
Quilted: Hand 1987
Quilt Type: Sue Longmore Workshop
Quilt Finished: 1987
Exhibited: Geelong Quilters Guild 1988
Collection: Garment 1
Pattern Name: Not specific
Pattern Source: Knitwit #
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Plains & soft prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Pellon
Backing: Cotton
Lessons Learned:
Technically it was a challenge to move from quilts to clothing. I stripped the pieces, sewing backing, batting and strips all together then cut out the jacket shapes. Hiding raw edges, making pockets and collar details were all “little problems” needing attention along the way.
Like everyone else at the time I became obsessed with having a distinctive patchwork item of clothing. I had seen Yvonne Porcella’s colourful designs and began collecting a few books on how to make patchwork clothing. At the time I was still making my own clothes, especially knits. An Australian company, Knitwit had just taken off and the fabric and patterns were all top quality, not to mention easy to make.
 |
| A scanned photo not showing true colour |
 |
| Who could forget this great book & inspiring clothing? |
Exhibited at the Geelong Quilters Guild Exhibition in Jan 1988
Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 78 x 79cm
Block Size: Strip
Cut in: 1987
Pieced & Basted: Machine 1987
Quilted: Hand 1987
Quilt Type: Sue Longmore Workshop
Quilt Finished: 1987
Exhibited: Geelong Quilters Guild 1988
Collection: Garment 1
Pattern Name: Not specific
Pattern Source: Knitwit #
Fabrics Purchased: 1986/87
Fabric Design: Plains & soft prints
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Pellon
Backing: Cotton
Lessons Learned:
Technically it was a challenge to move from quilts to clothing. I stripped the pieces, sewing backing, batting and strips all together then cut out the jacket shapes. Hiding raw edges, making pockets and collar details were all “little problems” needing attention along the way.
