Several times a year, we will showcase a quilt from one of our MPS members. Whether we’ve been quilting for decades or are just beginning our quilting journey, we are a talented bunch; and we inspire each other regularly with the many wonderful quilts that are created. So it seems fitting that we showcase a quilt in hopes it will inspire others. (You can click on any of the images to see a larger view.)
Quilted Garments
The only thing more fun than wrapping up in a quilt is wearing one!
Metropolitan Patchwork Society featured quilted garments at its March 2026 General Guild meeting, where several members modeled garments they had made in the past. The enthusiastic response led to the next step: a quilted-garment workshop!
In April, we gathered over Zoom for an evening workshop with instructor Terese. She walked us through the process of preparing to make a quilted garment, including all the steps we needed to complete before our in-person workshop in June. Then, on June 27, we gathered for a full day of sewing and garment construction.
Our homework was simple—or at least it sounded simple: choose a pattern, choose our “fabric,” and have it quilted and, if possible, cut out before class.
Our “fabric” could be almost anything. We could use pre-quilted fabric, an old quilt, or even new fabric that we sandwiched and quilted ahead of time. Terese was with us throughout the process, and she brought Mary Jo along to help with fitting and technique questions.
A Perfect Day for Sewing
June 27 turned out to be a stormy, rainy day, which made it the perfect day to gather in the cozy classroom at the Beaverton Mill Ends Store. Each of us had our own sewing station, and we were ready to start assembling the pieces of our chosen garments. We were a small, but mighty group; and we were looking forward to our shared comradery as we ventured into our garment making.
Kim’s Tamarack Jacket
Kim chose the Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio, using beautiful pre-quilted fabric. Her plan is to wear the jacket around the house on cool mornings and outside on chilly fall days.
She found the pattern fairly simple, but she did discover an important tip along the way. The pattern instructions call for cutting out the pattern pieces before quilting them. Kim found that it is much easier to quilt the fabric first and then cut out the pattern pieces.
Blue is Kim’s favorite color, and we can certainly see why. This jacket looks gorgeous on her!
Michele’s Parisian Inspiration
Michele had a lovely piece of pre-quilted fabric that she found in Paris. How could she resist?
She chose the Elemental Jacket by Teresa Coates and plans to wear it as a housecoat on those wonderful days when the main activity is simply hanging out at home.
Instead of using a button closure, Michelle added a tie belt to the jacket. The result is comfortable, stylish, and just a little bit Parisian. Perfect!
Terese’s Paper Trees Jacket
Terese had a panel with coordinating fabrics from the line “Paper Trees” by Sue Penn for FreeSpirit Fabrics that she had picked up some time ago. She thought it would make a terrific jacket using the Tamarack Jacket pattern.
She also had some yellow fabric that would make the perfect cuff. Terese figured out how to sew it into the sleeve so that, when the cuff is folded up, there is no visible seam. So smart!
And apparently one jacket isn’t enough for Terese. She already has two more planned: one in military red, white, and blue to wear at Quilts of Valor events, and another featuring chickadees on a panel from Northcott Fabrics’ “Autumn Breeze” line.
This jacket is beautiful, and we can’t wait to see the others!
Christie’s Upcycled Hoodie
Christie took the idea of “quilted garment” in a wonderfully personal direction. She used a quilt she had made as part of a small-group challenge project and transformed it into an adorable, casual jacket.
She used the Sully Upcycled Hoodie pattern by Karen Sullivan, adding several details that make the jacket uniquely hers. Her favorite features are the pockets, the hood, and the fact that she changed the original pullover design to include a front zipper.
And take a look inside! Christie incorporated the original quilt label as the jacket’s inside label. Now she’ll always have a reminder of the quilt project and everyone who participated in the challenge.
If she makes another one, Christie says she would make the pattern smaller to better fit her frame. She’s already looking forward to fall so she can wear her cozy jacket to outdoor games and on her daily walks.
Becky’s Kantha Vest
Becky decided to do something completely different. Instead of starting with quilted fabric, she found a piece of Kantha fabric and turned it into a vest.
Kantha is a traditional hand-stitching technique from South Asia, particularly West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh. It uses simple running stitches to join layers of recycled fabric, creating textiles that are beautifully textured and durable.
Becky didn’t even use a pattern. She figured out how to cut and sew the vest herself, and the crossover front was a brilliant design element. Sometimes the best pattern is the one you make up as you go!
Dianne’s Klimt-Inspired Jacket
When Hawthorne Supply Co. had a sale on fabric featuring the artwork of Gustav Klimt, Dianne knew she needed a couple of panels—and coordinating fabrics to go with them, of course!
After the quilted-garment program, she decided that one of those panels deserved to become the star of a garment. She chose the Wiksten Kimono pattern by Jenny Gordy.
The “Tree of Life” panel became the focal point on the back, while coordinating fabrics were used for the sleeves, front, and shawl collar.
Dianne enjoyed working with the pattern and says she would probably use it again for another quilted garment. She plans to wear this jacket in the fall when she and her daughter attend the Broadway in Portland series at the Keller. Tres Chic!
Marcia’s Mystery Quilt Reborn
Marcia decided that an old mystery quilt that had been living in her closet for far too long deserved to see the light of day.
She chose the Elemental Coat pattern and created a beautiful jacket from the quilt. The quilt wasn’t large enough to make the entire coat, so she combined it with a lovely woven black Japanese cotton she found at Montavilla in Lake Oswego.
Marcia says the weight of the jacket makes it perfect for fall and winter. We say the elegance of the jacket makes it perfect for just about anything!
Alayna’s Work in Progress
Alayna hasn’t quite finished her jacket yet—but when she does, we think it’s going to be spectacular.
The jacket design is wonderful, and her plans for embellishment are definitely going to make it special. She’s currently finishing the beadwork, and we’re all eager to see the finished garment.
Keep an eye on this post! We’ll update it as soon as Alayna is ready to model her creation.
Sew Much Inspiration!
A huge thank you to MPS for sponsoring this quilted-garment program and workshops—and an especially big thank you to Terese for all the time, planning, and expertise she put into making it happen. And thank you to Mary Jo for helping everyone with those inevitable fitting and technique questions!
Our quilting and sewing horizons have definitely been broadened. We discovered that quilts don’t have to live on beds, walls, or in closets. They can become jackets, coats, vests, kimonos—and just about anything else we can dream up. And now we have something new to add to our list of quilting questions: “What can I wear this quilt with?”
Are you inspired to try your hand at a quilted garment? We’d love to hear what you’re thinking about making. Tell us in the comments!
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Thank you for sharing your garments. They are unique and gorgeous.
Thanks to Terese and Mary Jo for their guidance and encouragement! It was a fun time and so interesting to see the various patterns and techniques!
What beautiful jackets produced by a talented group. Enjoyed seeing all the finished jackets.
These quilted jackets and vest are really beautiful! I am so impressed with everyone’s finished project- so polished and so elegant! Bravo!
Naomi
If anyone is interested in making one, I am open to coaching you along if you like! They are really fun! Thank you for such a nice blog, Dianne!
Beautiful and inspirational garments! Not at all what I think of when hearing the term “quilted jacket”