How to Sew a Quilt Coat

For months I’ve been dreaming of having a quilt coat. I check thrift shops and antique stores for quilts that I could use to make a trendy patchwork jacket. Then my sister found me a $5 estate sale quilt and brought it home for me! Last week I decided it was time to make it over into a coat and thought I’d show how to sew a quilt coat!

1 circle pattern / 2 bunnies / 3 floral / 4 cream / 5 rose plain / 6 chintz / 7 statement collar / 8 golden flowers / 9 polka dot

You might have seen quilt coats on Instagram. They’re part of the cottage core look that is taking over interiors and fashion trends right now. And I mean, what’s not to love? It’s vintage meets modern for the coziest outerwear ever! The patchwork look is interesting while being sentimental. I linked to some more affordable options above is you want to buy one. 

how to sew a quilt coat

Let’s begin with the video tutorial so you get an overview on what I did. Then, I’ll dive in with more details below:

If the video doesn’t work here, you can watch it on YouTube here. I’d be over the moon happy if you subscribed to my YouTube channel! Videos are actually released on YouTube first (usually the night before they’re published on the blog). Thank you!

 

SUPPLIES

• Pattern- I used Butterick 6929 in large (it’s a junior’s pattern and that size worked great for me). This women’s pattern K4086 looks like it’d be great for a quilted jacket.
• Wonder Clips– for holding on the bias tape
• Bias Tape– Extra Wide Double fold in pink (I used 4 packs for my coat)
• Bird Applique– totally optional. I used to jazz up my pockets
• Quilt
• Sewing Machine
• Brass Snaps– Size 10 set of 4. These are really easy to sew on
• Matching Thread
• Seam Ripper
• Pins

Budget Breakdown- I spent $5 on the quilt, $7 on the pattern, $12 on bias tape, $10 on wonder clips, $5 on snaps, and $2 on the appliqué (I had a coupon). I spent $41 total on this project.

step 1- PREP

Start by measuring the person the quilt is for before ordering the pattern. My pattern needed a bust measurement to determine the right size. I ordered a junior’s size large with my pattern and it was the perfect fit (I’m usually a women’s size medium).

Buy a quilt. I got mine from an estate sale for $5. A great place to find one is thrift shops, estate sales, facebook marketplace, antique shops, or you can ask your family if they have one they wouldn’t mind parting with. A twin size is plenty big enough. Full, queen or king will also work. Search for “vintage quilt” or “antique quilt” when searching on Facebook Marketplace.

Side note, quilts really are works of art and can be a part of someone’s family heritage. That’s something to keep in mind with looking for the right quilt for this project. I felt good about cutting up the quilt I got because probably 50% of the fabric had holes or huge rips. 

After cutting out the patter, there will probably be extra quilt pieces. I’d suggest finding a way to use the parts that are in good enough shape for another life! From the scraps, you could make a pillow, table runner, bag, place mats, a dog coat (or kid coat) or even something like a wall hanging. The possibilities are endless! 

step 2- cutting out the pattern

Cut out the pattern pieces. I know that using a pattern might be intimidating to some, but the pattern makes it SO easy to create something! You just cut the paper on the line. Some patterns have different lines for different sizes so you just have to make sure to cut on the correct line.

Once the pattern is cut out, lay each piece on the quilt, pin it, and cut out the coat piece.

My quilt was super beat up, so I also selected the least worn parts when cutting out my pattern. I also hand stitched any rips after cutting out the pattern.

When cutting out the coat pieces, it’s really important to look at the pattern of the coat and match it up with the pattern. For example, on the back, center the pattern on the back. For the front, try to make both sides symmetrical. I cut out the pockets on my favorite part of the pattern and love how they turned out!

Make sure to pay attention to the directions on the pattern. For example, there was one pattern piece for the front and pockets and it said to cut two of those. The back needed to have the quilt folded over and then cut through on the fold.

step 3- sew

And now, follow the directions on the pattern for the order to sew everything. The pattern packet comes with the pattern that you cut out and directions with easy to follow steps! I’m used to DIY projects where I dream up something and then have to figure out how to make my vision happen. So it was really helpful to just have it all spelled out for me!

I started by making the pockets. Also, at this point I decided to make my coat reversible so I made 4 pockets.

For the pockets, I sewed on bias tape all around the pocket. I’m a bit of a newbie sewist, so I found this YouTube tutorial on bias tape helpful. After adding the bias tape, I sewed the pocket onto the coat fronts.

Next, I stitched the back of the jacket to the front at the shoulders. While sewing all of the seams, I stitched the two layers of quilt together with the bias tape since I wanted it to be reversible.

Then, I pinned the collar to the neck edge and sewed it to the body of the coat.

Now it is time to stitch the back to the front at the sides. On the inside of the coat, I used bias tape to cover up the seams. That way, when the coat is on with the white side out, the seams will be covered in the pink trim and look cute.

On the side seams, shoulder seams, and arm sleeves, when I added the bias tape it created a little flap.

I didn’t like that so I went back over with the sewing machine and stitched over it one more time so it’d lay flat. Once those side seams were in, I was able to try it on and see that the fit is perfect!

The sleeves came next. I sewed the arm seam closed and then stitched in the sleeve in the armholes. Last, I added the bias tape to the bottom 

Next, I added bias tape all around the way around the coat- on the front bottom and around the top of the collar. I did one long piece and it took one whole pack of bias tape but it finished everything off nicely!

step 4- finishing touches

At this point, I decided that my plain pockets on the patterned side were too boring so I ironed on some cutie bird appliqués. Yay for granny chic!

Finally, I hand sewed on some snaps to the front of the coat so I can close it. Will I use these snaps? Who knows? I actually kind of wish I hadn’t added them since they’re not really needed.

after

Here is how my cozy quilt coat turned out! Isn’t it cute?! Since this quilt was well worn, it is the comfiest jacket ever! It’s warm and cute, and so so comfortable!

Here’s the coat turned inside out! I actually think I like the white side better. I have lots of patterned clothes so this will go the best with those. For this side, the pockets are really the stars!

I sure love how this jacket turned out. It’s cute, a look I love, and used a vintage item in a fun way! Plus I figure if you have to be somewhere cold for the winter, might as well walk around in a quilt!

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