Mary's Jacket

Well, I finished Mary's jacket. I made it for her birthday (at the end of March) but I can safely post a picture here since she doesn't have access to the internet. I found the instructions in one of the books Mom lent to me. I started with a red sweatshirt and took the collar, cuffs, and hem ribbing off. I cut it up the center front, then used a plate to copy the curve for the upper and lower portions of the front of the jacket. I then sewed bias tape around all the edges. Mom also found the fusible bias tape for me to sew onto the front and back of the sweatshirt.

Last night, on the way home from work, I stopped at JoAnn's and picked up the fabric for the placemats I'm going to make for April and Micaela for their birthdays. They will be able to use them with their tea sets. The picture shows the fabrics. Nice, pretty, bright colors. I created the pattern I'll use from one of the books that Mom lent me on paper piecing. Moms sure are great! Once I get them sewed together, I will post more pictures.

Sweatshirt Jacket

This post is for Mom and Michelle who asked me for pictures when I finished the jacket I was making from a sweatshirt. Well, it is complete now except for the clasps to close the front. I'm waiting for them to come in the mail. It took a little while (I began it on the Tuesday after Christmas while I was on leave from work and finished it yesterday). I had a few challenges, too. During the construction of the patches, and while putting the panels on the sweatshirt, I found I had used too small of a seam on some of the strips. Especially on those strips with a loose weave. Some of the seams I had to re-do while putting it together and one, I had to hand-sew when I found it after the panels were already on the jacket. I will have to be very careful when I wash it and be sure to put it in the washer on the gentle cycle.