Welcome to the creative endeavor I call making quilted art jackets!  We’re going to have a ton of fun in this class. This class will be taught @ the Quilters Retreat @ The Lazy Buffalo Retreat Center in Cache, OK. If you register for the retreat the class is included in the retreat fee. If you'd just like to take the class and sleep in your own bed then register here.

Kelli is the instructor and below is the supply list and her bio. 

I love making these jackets.  They’re like potato chips – You can’t have just one!!   They are easy, just not super fast – and I will give you insights into all of the things I’ve learned of what NOT TO DO.

PLEASE DO NOT CUT YOUR SWEATSHIRTS UNTIL THE CLASS! 

The good news is that there are very few rules to follow.  Here are the few that we’ll use while we’re in class.

•        Winter is coming and it’s gonna be cold.  It’s more important that it be finished, than it is to be perfect.
•        This is your project.  You make the decisions on what YOU like.
•        When a problem comes up (it’s inevitable), there is a way to fix it. 

You'll need the following:

1.        Sweatshirt  - I try to use one that matches the background of my fabric, because some of the shirt will show.
2.        Men’s and Women’s shirts are not created equal.  Men’s are wider and longer, Women’s come in prettier colors
3.        I like my sweatshirts big.  It’s easier to take away fabric than to add. Easier, not impossible.
4.        I usually do crew neck for this class.  It’s a different class that we turn a hoodie into a portrait collar (a hoodie cut off) jacket.
5.        I’ve had issues with women’s sweatshirt sleeves that are either too narrow or too short or both.  We have a fix.  I now try to only buy UNISEX shirts or Men’s.  I’ve had good luck with Jiffyshirts.com
6.        Fabric or Fabrics that you'll cut up and sew on the sweatshirt and for the binding as well as yoyo’s. 

I like a minimum of 1 yard of a fabric I'm in love with, but I usually buy 2. Large prints that you can cut out and sew on work well for this project. Add more if you want to really thoroughly cover your shirt.  I love adding a coordinating fabric

Or add more if just like the assurance of extra, who doesn’t love extra?

7.        ELMER’S WHITE SCHOOL GLUE!!  It has a black chalk board on the label.

The WASHABLE KIND! (THE WHITE SCHOOL KIND), or Washable Fabric Glue like Aleene’s. I usually use whatever is handy.  DON’T bother with a glue stick, it doesn’t work.  Don’t use the school gel, it’s permanent when dry.      Thread

8.     Thread that matches your shirt to sew down the cut-up fabric and
9.     A contrasting thread to use for the quilting.  (I LOVE variegated thread, it's more fun - that's my only reason). 
10.     I also use a thread I have lots of, for the bobbin thread.
11.      Scissors
12.    Sewing machine – nothing fancy needed.

Also, keep in mind that for this project -

•        Pick a fabric you LOVE LOVE LOVE and are highly motivated about and WANT to wear.  Otherwise, you'll never wear it; it’s a total waste of time.
•        There are no precision directions, if you feel strongly about something, do it! It's your shirt!
•        Things may not be exactly right the first time.  Its ok to course correct mid-stream.  Washable glue means you can wash and start over.
•        If you want to embellish your shirt with interesting things, bring them, if you like zip closures, put one in, if you love buttons, great. All good. It’s best if your embellishments are washable as you will want to wash your shirt.
•        This is a great opportunity to recycle fabric that you love, from something that no longer works for you. I've recycled a few fun pajama bottoms! 
•        This should be fun.  If you hate it at the end, I'll give you permission to make it into a bag.
•        It's more important to finish, than to be perfect. There isn’t a pattern for the shirts I make, I consider myself a free range quilter.

 If you are the kind of person that MUST follow directions or NEEDS to have a pattern, there is a gal that makes a very nice one, it’s called THE JENNIFER JACKET.  You can buy one if that’s the way you roll. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. More inspiration pics below