Hi everyone, my name is Jodie and I love making quilt coats. So far I have made six (or eight if you count the two I have made for my dog, Duffron). I’m here today to give you some tips and tricks to help you make an extra special quilt coat!
A little bit about me:
Although I have sewed (very simply) on and off, I only started quilting a couple of years ago. Usually I get bored of a hobby or crafty pursuit about a week after starting but with quilting, I still love it to this day! In fact, I love it so much, I started a little hobby fabric shop selling fabrics last year (Scribbly Gum Quilt Co) and I’m fortunate enough that it has become my full time job! You can follow my quilting adventures over on Instagram at @Jozmakesquilts and @ScribbyGumQuiltCo.
That’s my trusty furry sidekick, Duffron – isn’t he the cutest!
About my quilt coat:
I made View B of the Hovea Coat & Jacket Pattern and used linen fabric for both the outer and lining and 100% bamboo batting. It is is fully reversible with all the seams bound.
Without further ado, I have included some steps to help you add designs or “bedazzling” to your quilt coat to help create a unique and timeless piece you will love!
Adding “Bedazzling” to the front / pockets
Don’t worry, we aren’t adding gemstones and glitter to our quilt coats but rather incorporating a few design elements.
I love to add a little bit of “bedazzling” to my quilt coat in the form of little shapes. Rather than appliqué them, they are incorporated into the quilt coat outer.
For the pockets, I wanted to incorporate the fabrics and colours that I used on the back. In case you would like to replicate the pockets, I used (6) 1.5″ squares (4 coloured, and 2 the main colour of my quilt coat). These are 1″ each after they are sewn in, as I used a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Once you have sewn your bedazzling pieces together, you can add fabric to each of the sides to make it slightly larger than the pattern piece.
Note: If you don’t want to add a patchwork design to the back, you can skip ahead to “Cutting out your pattern pieces and quilting”!
Adding a patchwork design to the back:
I love incorporating designs on the back of my quilt coats – I call them mullet quilt coats – business on the front and a party on the back!
For this quilt coat, I used four log cabin patches on the back – don’t worry, this is a super simple design and I promise you can do it too!
You need four colours of fabric plus the main fabric used in your quilt coat.
From each colour, cut:
- (1) 8.5″ x 1.5″ (“A”)
- (1) 7.5″ x 1.5″ (“B”)
- (1) 6.5″ x 1.5″ (“C”)
- (1) 5.5″ x 1.5″ (“D”)
- (1) 4.5″ x 1.5″ (“E”)
- (1) 3.5″ x 1.5″ (“F”)
- (1) 2.5″ x 2.5″ (“G”)
From the main fabric used in your quilt coat, cut:
- (4) 2.5″ x 1.5″ (“M1”)
- (4) 3.5″ x 1.5″ (“M2”)
- (4) 4.5″ x 1.5 (“M3”)
- (4) 5.5″ x 1.5″ (“M4”)
- (4) 6.5″ x 1.5″ (“M5”)
- (4) 7.5″ x 1.5″ (“M6”)
The letters in brackets refer to the diagrams below.
Divide your colour strips and main fabric strips into four piles as follows:
Colours:
- (1) 8.5″ x 1.5″ (1) 7.5″ x 1.5″ should be the same
- (1) 6.5″ x 1.5″ (1) 5.5″ x 1.5″ should be the same
- (1) 4.5″ x 1.5″ (1) 3.5″ x 1.5″ should be the same
- (1) 2.5″ x 2.5″
Main quilting fabric
- (1) 3.5″ x 1.5″
- (1) 4.5″ x 1.5
- (1) 5.5″ x 1.5″
- (1) 6.5″ x 1.5″
- (1) 7.5″ x 1.5″
We are going to make four blocks, repeating these instructions for each block, with each block having a slightly different colour combination. Use a 1/4″ seam allowance – this is important to make sure all your shapes line up perfectly.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Step 9:
Step 10:
Step 11:
Step 12:
And your block is done! Repeat three more times to make four blocks in total and then sew together:
Ta da!
You can either leave it like this or turn it on the diagonal. Use your pattern piece to determine how much fabric you need to add to each side.
Ok, your bedazzling and/or quilt coat back outer pieces are done!
Cutting out your pattern pieces and quilting
I used the following steps for the pattern pieces in which I added design elements to (the pockets and the back). It’s a slightly different technique than that included in the instructions – once you have made the quilt coat piece (eg. pockets or back with a patch), you can then:
- cut the batting and backing (or quilt coat lining fabrics) slightly larger than the pattern pieces (they can just be rough shapes too!)
- baste (secure) the three layers together- quilt coat outer, batting and backing (quilt coat inner/ lining) piece, and quilt it before cutting the pattern piece out.
This personally helps me get a more accurate result because you aren’t required to line up three layers perfectly but this is of course totally up to you! Please note: Using this method will mean you will require slightly more fabric for the lining and batting.
Start by cutting your batting and backing fabric pieces slightly larger than your pocket and/or back patch. Make a quilt sandwich by securing both fabric layers to the batting.
I like to use basting spray which I personally find is quicker and results in a better result that pin or thread basting but this is completely personal preference!
I also like to give my quilt sandwich a quick press with the iron – this step is optional but I find it gives a better finish. Just make sure not to iron directly onto the batting :-)
Once you have your quilt sandwich, it’s time to quilt! I did 45 degree lines on my pockets. I like to use a hera marker to mark out my first two lines (one line going in each direction)
And then I will use the guide bar on my sewing machine foot to do the rest of my lines – this helps me keep them equal distance apart. You may already have a guide bar in your sewing machine bag of trinkets but if not, you can purchase these separately. Or if you don’t want to purchase a guide bar, you can of course use a hera marker or other marking tool to draw all your lines before you start quilting!
Now that you have quilted each piece, it’s time to cut them out using the pattern piece.
Now you can assemble your quilt coat!
I hope you found the above techniques and tips useful. If you would like to read more tips about making a quilt coat, I have lots of extra tutorials which you can find here. I love talking about quilt coats, so feel free to reach out with any questions!
Jodie
| LOOKING FOR MORE HOVEA POSTS? |
Here’s the full list of Hovea inspiration and ideas:
- Inspiration & Ideas for Hovea
- Hovea Tester Roundup
- Hovea Curve Tester Roundup
- Hovea Planning Template
- Traditional Korean Textile Arts with Youngmin Lee
- Beginner Quilting concepts with The Weekend Quilter
- Top 10 tips from a quilters first journey into Me Made Clothing with Shannon Fraser
- Introduction to Indian Kantha Quilting with Manjari Singh
- Simple Log Cabin patchwork tutorial with Scribbly Gum Quilting Co (this post!)
- Wholecloth quilting with Natalie Ebaugh
- Introduction to Japanese textiles and embroidery with Mari Yamada
- How to make a patchwork quilt design without a pattern with Broadcloth Studio
- Modern Quilting with Porfiria Gomez
- Making a patchwork jacket with leftover fabric
Here’s the full list of Hovea tutorials & Hacks:
- Sewalong | How to Choose Between Hovea & Hovea Curve
- Sewalong | Common Hovea pattern alterations
- Sewalong | Quilting prep
- Sewalong | Quilting Design & Planning
- Sewalong | Machine quilting
- Sewalong | Tips for making a patchwork jacket from scrap fabrics
- Sewalong | Basic Binding Method for quilt coats
- Sewalong | Pockets and Seams Quilted Views BDF
- Sewalong | Inset Sleeves Quilted Views BDF
- Sewalong | Final Finishes Quilted View BDF
- Sewalong | Tips for Hand Quilting
- Pattern Hack | Tips for making Hovea reversible
- Pattern Hack | Sewing a Hovea Dressing gown
- Pattern Hack | How to make a quilt coat from a vintage bed quilt
- Sewalong | Unlined pockets Views ACE
- Sewalong | Lined pockets Views ACE
- Sewalong | Flat Sleeve Insertion Views ACE
- Sewalong | Ties & Hang Loop Views ACE
- Sewalong | Hemming Unlined Views ACE
- Sewalong | Full Lining Views ACE
- Sewalong | Collar band Views ACE
- Sewalong | Belt & Belt Loops Views ACE
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNhovea and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
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