My Quilt Coat Pocket

After my post last week on the completion of my second quilt coat, several people have asked for more information on how I created my pockets, a different version than  the Patchwork Chore Quilt Coat pattern calls for. 

Invaluable to the whole process of creating the coat and working on my pockets was using Swedish Tracing Paper.  For starters, it gave me easy visibility to the fabric underneath the pattern piece when cutting everything out.  For the pockets, it gave me the ability to test the pocket size before creating it in fabric.

Nothing fancy here!

I used this tutorial to change the dimensions of my coat to add about 3" in length and reduced the width to accommodate the zipper.  After testing the pocket dimensions using the Swedish Tracing Paper, I created two quilted pockets that were 9 3/4" tall and as wide as the front coat panel.   

After quilting my pockets, I used a 6 1/2" drunkards path template to cut the curved edge. 2" bias binding was then applied.   The raw edges marked zipper and bottom will be covered by binding.  The raw edge marked side seam is sewn into the side seam.

I marked a line 9 1/4" from the bottom of the front panel (left image below).  Right sides together, align the top raw edge of pocket to the drawn line and sew 1/4''.  Back stitch at both edges.

Fold over pocket and make sure the side seam, bottom, and zipper sides all align with the raw edges of the front panel.  Baste in place.

Top stitching helps secure the pocket and contain the raw edges.  I choose not to top stitch across the binding.  Instead I took a few stitches above the pocket and along the binding.

You can see what the resulting seam looks like on the inside.

The pocket is 5" along the top edge, 3" on the side seam edge and roughly 9 1/4" from top of pocket to bottom of coat.

The rest of the coat assembled as per the pattern.  Different from the tutorial, I bind the zipper edges and then apply the zipper underneath.  (Using Wonder double sided tape helped me baste the zipper so the pockets lined up with each other.)

These pockets are a perfect addition to the coat.  They are aligned perfectly to tuck my hands into and are wide enough that my phone and car keys can rest comfortably inside.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

One Monthly Goal March Finish Link-up

Ready to link up your March finishes?

Don't panic - this link-up is open until March 31 at 11:55 pm ET.

Want to see everyone's goals for the month - check out the March goal page!

My goal for March was to make progress on my second Quilt Coat.  Read all about it here!

Now it's your turn to link up!  Please add a link to this OMG post so others can follow where you are linking.   Let's make that easy -  just paste this into your post:  

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - March Finish Link-up

Thanks for linking up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Spring Quilt Coat is Finished

I love my new Spring  Quilt Coat - my second quilt coat.  I finished the coat on March 19 and was able to wear it on my morning walk on the first day of Spring!!!

I used the same pattern for each of my coats - the first was made in a size large to accommodate layering .  I wore this first coat every day this winter and got many compliments.  You can read all about it here 

For my new coat, I went with a size small - this made me a bit nervous during construction but it all worked out at the end.   Besides adding binding, a zipper, and lots of hand sewing, I made a big change since sharing my initial progress in this first post.  Initially, I was going with inset pockets.  Initial construction steps went well but cleaning up the seams inside to get a nice finish turned into a hack job and I just wasn't happy.  So I ripped out hours of work and improvised a new pocket.  This allowed me to bring a bit of color onto the front of the coat.  The construction was very straightforward. 

I love my new pockets - they are just perfect to tuck my hands into.  Plus the color on the pockets and the pieced binding brings a bit of color to the front as well.

Critical to installation of the zipper was using Wonder double sided tape.  It held the zipper securely and didn't gum up the needle of my machine.  I stitched the zipper using my walking foot in the valley next to the binding.

I really love the primary color of the coat - this beautiful blue gray fabric and a sparkly Ruby Star Society fabric for the lining.  I made panels for each of the sections  - you can read more about my process on my first post.

I truly enjoyed the entire process of  making this coat except for the bit about removing my first attempt at the pockets.  I highly recommend the Patchwork Chore Quilt Coat pattern. 

Besides the pattern, there are a couple of supplies I'd recommend (affiliate links):

• Swedish Tracing Paper - it gave me easy visibility to the fabric underneath the pattern piece 
• Silicon pins - they are heat resistant and you can just iron right over them 
• Binding clips - perfect for holding pieces of coat together for sewing
• Wonder double sided tape - perfect for basting the zipper

Will I make another one?  I just might but if I do, I will skip binding the seams and try zig zagging them.

Happy Spring!

Have a wonderful day! Patty