Making a Quilt Coat with the New Americana Home Decor Fabric
Hello friends, Mary Burroughs-Mayer from Ember Craft Company back to share my latest make for Riley Blake Designs!
I am ecstatic to get to play with one of the home decor prints from Americana, the latest fabric collection from Lori Holt. This fabric is called Stars and is such a fun cheater print (this is what we call a fabric printed to look like it’s pieced!). You get the complex look of English Paper Piecing without the effort and it’s not nearly as painful to cut into as a hand-sewn quilt.
Now, this is my first time sewing with a home decor fabric. It comes in a 60″ width and has a very lightweight denim feel. Definitely a bit more substantial than, say, a quilting cotton, but it still has a great drape. When I saw this fabric, I knew that I wanted to make it into a quilted coat, and spoiler alert: it did NOT disappoint. I had two options for the binding, but ultimately chose the Sparkle print, also from the Americana Collection (find it here), and used Bee Backgrounds Tiny Circle in Honey for the lining. Don’t you love how the yellow dots in the lining pull in the yellow from the triangles on the front?
A friend of mine recently made the Pixie Peacoat pattern by Twig and Tale (find it here!) and I absolutely loved the look of it. I’ve been itching to make my own, and this felt like the perfect opportunity!
DISCLAIMER: this pattern is not specifically written for using quilted material. I will be sharing some tips and tricks on how I made this throughout this post, but this is not a comprehensive tutorial. If you’d like a complete tutorial on how to make your own quilted Pixie Peacoat, let me know in the comments! We can make that happen!
Before we get started, I want to talk about one complaint I hear a lot about quilt coats: they are stiff! I have two ways to help with that (outside of simply wearing and washing them often!).
- Use a soft, drapey batting like bamboo or wool. We are using a bamboo batting from Quilter’s Dream, which is actually a blend of bamboo, silk, cotton, and tencel (find more info about it here) and it is lusciously soft.
- Try not to densely quilt your panel/pieces. Donna Larson from Featherbed Quilting (find her work here), helped me choose this Interlocked Orange Peel Pantograph from Karlee Porter Designs (longarm quilters can find it here) and made it larger than I might ordinarily choose for a regular quilt. This spreads out the stitching and keeps the panel more flexible – perfect for this jacket project!
As mentioned earlier, the Pixie Peacoat pattern is not written for quilted fabric, but has a list of materials and pattern pieces for an outer fabric and lining fabric. Now, using a quilt or quilted panel enables you to eliminate cutting the lining and facing fabric pieces.
For this jacket I used the following exterior pattern pieces from the pattern:
- 2 Front templates (mirror image)
- 1 Back template
- 2 Sleeve templates (mirror image)
- 2 Round Hood templates (mirror image)
- 1 Center Hood Panel template.
I was able to cut these pieces in a Size H from a 60″ x 72″ quilted panel. I even had a bit leftover for an additional small bag project – more on that soon!
Using quilted fabric helps eliminate those lining pieces BUT does create a problem with unfinished edges. To solve this, I used lots and lots of binding: approximately 10 linear yards (or 360 inches) of 2.5″ wide bias binding. This requires just under 1 yard of fabric to make yourself. Now, this does have to be binding cut on the bias to enable it to stretch around the curved edges of the hood and rounded corners of the jacket. A great tutorial to make your own bias binding can be found here. You can also buy premade bias binding from a fantastic small business called Bessie Pearl here!
As you can imagine, that is a boatload of binding. As a quilter, I don’t mind binding, but one way I’ve found to make it a little more interesting is to add a layer of Vintage Trim. This is such a fun ric-rac product, also by Lori Holt (details can be found here), that adds a scalloped edge. I’m using the Cottage color in the large size for this and it’s perfect. I’m only using this on the outer seams: along the hood as shown below, the sleeve edges and the exterior of the jacket.
One side effect of using the trim on the outside of the jacket is having to hand-finish the binding on the interior of the jacket. Now, I love using 12 wt. Aurifil Thread for big stitch binding on my quilts, why not try this on my quilted jacket? This is shade 2845, Light Juniper, and can be purchased here. It’s a pretty good match for the Cottage Vintage Trim and other shades of turquoise in Lori Holt’s fabric lines.
For the closures, I chose to use the button loops from the pattern and found these great, big, wooden buttons at my local craft shop. They are about 1 1/2″ wide and definitely a statement. I attached them with the same Aurifil 12 wt. thread I used for the binding, and I love that little pop of turquoise when you look closely.
Overall, the Pixie Peacoat was the perfect pattern to adapt to using quilted material. I had an absolute blast playing with this one for myself, and I can guarantee it won’t be my last! Don’t forget to let me know in the comments if you’d like to see a full tutorial to make a quilted coat like this for yourself. I’d love to show you how!
For more looks at this project, and to keep up with all of my latest makes, find my work at the links below:
Happy Sewing!
Best,
Mary Burroughs-Mayer – Ember Craft Company
45 Comments
Missy Reynolds
That is the CUTEST coat. You did a fabulous job on it. Would love a tutorial! Am off to buy the pattern right now. Thanks so much for sharing!
Donna DelVecchio
I have always wanted to make a quilted coat but thought it too difficult.This whole cloth method sounds so much more adaptable than piecing everything.Would love a complete tutorial.Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work of art.
Tonia Johnson
I may have missed the information–but where can we purchase the pattern? Such a fun jacket, perfect for cool summer evenings!
Wava McClish
Would love a pattern for the quilted fabric peacoat! It is adorable.
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
I am using the Pixie Peacoat for this jacket (a direct link to the pattern is in the post above!), and it really isn’t hard to use it with quilted fabric. I’m working on a more comprehensive tutorial and hoping to have it ready later this summer!
Rosanna Foster
Love this coat and would absolutely be interested in a tutorial
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Thank you! I am working on a more comprehensive tutorial as we speak! Hoping to have it ready to share towards the end of the summer (Perfect coat making time!)
Leigh Holland
I would love to see a tutorial!! It’s a beautiful coat.
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Thanks so much! Working on it as we speak, and hoping to be able to share it with you all later this summer!
Kathy Oberg
What a fun project. It is really pretty and looks so comfortable. The rick rack is a gorgeous touch.
I would like the tutorial.
Thank you.
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Thanks so much! It is super comfy, I just love how it all came together. I’m working on a more comprehensive tutorial as we speak and can’t wait to share it with you!
Lori McKinnon
That is a way Beautiful jacket. I’d love to make one like that for my sister, for cooler weather , walking on the beach. It really looks wonderful on you. I would love a tutorial also.
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
YES! It would be perfect for something like that. Using wool batting and flannel on the inside would make an even warmer coat! Thanks so much! I’m currently working on a more comprehensive tutorial and looking to share it later this summer I hope!
Mary-Ellen N.
Absolutely love this quilted jacket! Would love the tutorial on how to make it.
Thanks! 😊
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Yay, thanks so much! I’m working on a more comprehensive tutorial as we speak. Hoping it will be ready by late summer to share!
Susan Morrison
Where do I find the jacket pattern to purchase ?
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Hi! The jacket pattern is called the Pixie Peacoat by Twig and Tale – a direct link to the pattern is in the blog post above (look for the blue highlighted words!). There is a kids version as well that is just the cutest!
Genevia Sage
I have wanted to make a Quilt Coat forever – this one speaks to me! You did a fabulous job! And you make me feel as tho I can do this too – a full tutorial would be awesome!! Please let me know if you make that happen. Thank you!!
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Thank you so much! I love it too! It’s a really great pattern – you absolutely can make one. I am working on a more comprehensive tutorial and hoping to have it ready to share later this summer. Stay tuned!
Nancy Heinrichs
Would love to see a tutorial of the pea coat
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
It’s in the works! Hoping to be able to share a more comprehensive tutorial later this summer!!
Carolyn Whitfield
I would love the pattern and tutorial for this really cute quilted Coat? Please..
Thank you
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
The pattern is the Pixie Peacoat by Twig and Tale – there is a direct link in the article above (look for the words highlighted in blue!). I am working on a more comprehensive tutorial for this as we speak, and will hopefully have it ready to share later this summer!
Susan Weston
I would love a tutorial on this coat!
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
YAY! I’m hoping to get a more comprehensive tutorial out to you all later this summer! Maybe we need to do a sew-along?
Linda Smith
I would love the tutorial and how to access the pattern for this adorable quilted jacket. I’ve been wanting to make one for a long time and you make it seem like I can do it
Many thanks !
Linda
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
I promise you can do it. The pattern is by Twig and Tale and is called the Pixie Peacoat. There is a direct link to the pattern in the article above (look for the links in blue!). I’m working on a more comprehensive tutorial as we speak and hope to share it with you all later this summer!
Alice Mcfarlane
Would love a pattern and tutorial for this coat! Thank you! Beautiful coat!
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
The pattern is the Pixie Peacoat by Twig and Tale – you can find a direct link to the pattern in the blog above! I am working on a more comprehensive tutorial and hope to bring it to you later this summer! Thanks so much!
Anita Sward
I would love a tutorial, and also some ideas for finding that fabric? I love it!!
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Here is a link to the Riley Blake Designs shop finder: https://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/stores – you can definitely ask your local quilt shop to get it in for you! I’ll hopefully get a more comprehensive tutorial out there later this summer!
Kelly Hodges
I would love to learn this pattern!!!!
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
It is such a good pattern. I’m hoping to get a more comprehensive tutorial out there later this summer/early fall, just in time for the cooler weather!
Shelly Matter
I would love to see the tutorial, thank you!
The jacket is gorgeous!
Shell
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Thanks so much, I love it too. Hoping to be able to get a more comprehensive tutorial out there later this summer – fingers crossed!
Merrilee Jung
A beautiful jacket! I would love the full tutorial on how you made this.
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Thank you! I am working on a comprehensive tutorial as we speak, hoping to be able to share it with you later this summer!
Catherine Cheshire
Your coat is gorgeous!! I would love your tutorial also!! Our local quilt shop is planning on a class using this very pattern! I plan on being in that class too!!
Thank you so much for sharing!!
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Thank you so much! Oh it will be so good to be able to take the class in person! I am working on a more comprehensive tutorial for this one as we speak, hoping to be able to release it late summer? Fingers crossed!
helma odijk
wat super leuk, graag zou ik het jasje willen maken 🙂
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
Hartelijk dank!
Tracy Bohman
Would love a tutorial to use quilted material. Love this coat. Off to get the pattern. Thanks or the great blog post.
Mary Burroughs-Mayer
I’m so glad you like it! I’m working on a comprehensive tutorial as we speak, hoping to be able to release it later this summer!
Lisa Schauerhamer
This is a great post. I am interested in the pattern. My friend and I have been talking about using cheater fabric.
Thank you so much
Debby Daniels
If I wanted to piece my own blocks, do you have recommendations (i.e., avoid blocks with multiple seams, good block size, etc.)? I love the style of this coat. I’m a quilter, not a seamstress. Could I manage it?