Jackets from Sweatshirts

While in the USA in 2010, I went to a Sewing Exposition with a friend.  We saw Londa Rohlfing’s stand.  (www.londas-sewing.com) She does wonderful, decorative jackets made from sweatshirts.  I blithely told my friend that I would make her one.  I should have bought the book!

Anyway, here are the results.  Once started, there was no stopping.  I have now made five of them and have the material for two more.

This was my first jacket.  I decided to make it into a Chanel-style.  I bought the sweatshirt from Cotton Traders and the trim in France. 

·      To make, cut off the cuffs and ribbing from the neckline and bottom edge.

·      Carefully measure the centre front and cut in a straight line from neckline to base.

·      Make a little pleat in the centre back and stitch on your machine (about 2”). 

·      Try on the sweatshirt and mark the desired length and sleeve length.  Cut off surplus. 

·      Use bias binding to finish all raw edges, then sew trim on around the neck, down the front and around the sleeves.  Cotton Traders’ sweatshirt have a large logo on the front which I covered to make a faux pocket. I also made two faux pockets at the bottom.

·      I used snaps (poppers) for fastenings which won’t show.