Lavender Tweed Jacket

 

Lavender tweed jacket

     I made myself this jacket from fabric I bought while at the ASG conference in San Francisco in 2024.  I bought it at Discount Fabrics.  The pattern I used was Capri Jacket by Textile Studio.  I like how it fits plus it is easy to sew.  See here, here, here, here, here, here and here for all the different jackets I have made using this pattern.  I think I still have three of them.

Fusing on the interfacing

     I didn't know the fabric content of this piece so I decided to just wash it in hot water and dry it.  I figured that would then make the jacket washable.  The washing however didn't soften up the fabric much.  I found it to be quite itchy still.  Since this pattern doesn't call for lining, I fused a soft, knit stabilizer/interfacing to the back of the fabric.  This makes it nice and soft against my skin.

Back of the jacket

     The construction of the jacket was then straight forward.  I didn't make any changes to it except for one.  I lost the back facing piece when I was cutting out the fabric.  I drafted a new one and of course when I cleaned up my sewing studio after finishing the jacket, I found my missing piece.  😀

Button detail

     I found buttons in my stash that went well with the fabric.  Even though I have gotten rid of a lot of my buttons, I did still have something that matched.

Shoulder detail

     The pattern calls for shoulder pads.  At first I thought I would not do them but when I tried on the jacket, it just didn't hang correctly.  So I added the shoulder pads.  I sewed them in place by stitching in the ditch on the shoulder seam.  

Pattern

     I think that makes about at least 8 different jackets I have made from this pattern.  I don't know if you saw then hanging side by side you would even know.  

Easter Mug Rugs

Finished Easter mug rugs

      This year for Easter I decided not to buy the grandkids lots of candy for their baskets.  I know they get plenty and the younger ones aren't really allowed candy.  I saw these cute mug rugs on the Designs by JuJu website.  The pocket was perfect for just a little something.

Cut pieces

Hooped stabilizer

     I went through my stash of fabrics to find pieces large enough for the backing and the background.  For the stabilizer, I stitched together scraps of mesh cutaway that I had from other projects.  

Applique bunny and egg

   The batting was sewn down first and then the background piece for the bunny appliqué was sewn down and quilted.  Then the appliqué pieces were stitched and trimmed.  After that side was done, then the pocket piece and other background piece were sewn on, flipped over and the rest of the stitching done.  The back pieces were laid on top and stitched around.  After removing it from the hoop, you trim the seams to 1/4" and trim the corners. I then press it, turn it right side out through the opening in the back pieces and press again.  I closed the opened with Steam A Seam.  

Granddaughters' mug rugs

Grandsons' mug rugs

     I added a flat chocolate bunny and some money to the pocket and I was finished.  I love doing projects like this and using up some of my stash.

Back of girls' mug rugs, matching the stripes

Back of boys' mug rugs

Sewing Machine Sweatshirt

 

Finished sewing machine sweatshirt

     I made another sweatshirt for myself for when I am on a quilt retreat, either away or a stay at home one.  I started with a sweatshirt from JoAnn Fabrics.  The design on the front is from Designs by JuJu.  I like that it is a nice open design and doesn't overwhelm the sweatshirt.

     I wanted to add something more to it, so I used the free side design of scissors.  I bought some HTV for the handles on Amazon and the silver vinyl at a quilt store.  

Hooped

     I hooped the sweatshirt with sticky paper and pins for the side designs.  I found it a little hard to get the shirt to lay flat.  When I did the second one, I cut the ribbing so it could spread out flatter.  The HTV for the handles did not work well, it got perforated by the stitches and pulled away from the stitching.  For the second scissors design, I used black flannel instead.

HTV handle scissors

Flannel handle scissors

     The side seam designs are a little tricky to do since you need to cut away the ribbing and part of the sweatshirt, not easy fabric to cut through.  The other problem I have, is that when I wear a sweatshirt like this, I usually turn the ribbing up, not stretch it over my hips.  The side seam designs don't open the bottom enough for it to lay nice over my hips.  So I either turn up the ribbing and you don't see the designs or it is stretched over my hips and doesn't feel comfortable.  Oh well, live and learn.

Embroidery detail