Want to stay warm and snuggly this winter? A handmade quilted jacket is just the thing you need! This jacket makes any outfit snuggly and shows your unique personality and style. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner – I will show you how to make your own quilted jacket with this step-by-step tutorial!
I had a wonderful time creating this cosy quilted jacket. Living in a pretty cold place where it gets super chilly in winter, this project seemed like a good fit.
After seeing so many beautiful quilt coats from Julie O’Rourke and Sea, I needed to jump on the bandwagon and sew my own.
The trouble with where I live is that finding a pre-loved vintage quilt is next to impossible. If you live in an area where vintage quilts are accessible, consider purchasing one to make your jacket if you don’t want to spend hours quilting. Some great places to look are eBay, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace.
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If you are new to sewing, here are some helpful sewing articles to help you get started:
How To Make A Quilted Jacket With A Pattern
I purchased the supplies below for my quilted jacket. Your supply list may differ slightly from mine, depending on whether you are making a quilt and what jacket pattern you choose. Just use this as a guide.
Materials & Supplies List
- 2 metres (2 yards) – main fabric
- 1 metre (1 yard) – contrasting fabric
- 1/2 metre (1/2 yard) – 2nd contrasting fabric
- 2 metres (2 yards) – lining fabric
- 100% cotton Sashiko thread
- Olympus Sashiko needles
- Jacket sewing pattern – I used the All-Well Cardigan Coat hacked into the Simple Collar version.
Quilted Jacket Materials
I used beige linen as the primary material, with contrasting fabrics including blue floral cotton and a blue and white striped cotton shirt that I found at a thrift shop for $2.
I lined my quilted jacket with hand-dyed linen. I created a soy milk mordant to soak my linen fabric before naturally dyeing it with avocado pips and skin.
Best fabrics to use:
- Quilting cottons
- Medium to heavyweight linens
Quilting cotton is specifically made for quilting. Depending on your fabric supplier, it’s sturdy and often high-quality. If you are unsure of what fabrics to use, you can learn more in my guide to types of fabrics.
How To Make A Quilted Jacket
Step 1: Choose a quilt pattern or find a quilt
If you don’t want to sew a quilt, find a premade quilt that is either new or vintage.
I made my quilt using a book called The Patchwork Quilt Design & Colouring Book, which is full of helpful quilting information. I settled on a traditional saw tooth pattern. Once the pattern is decided, begin planning where each fabric will go.
I decided on using plain linen for the inner squares and the borders. Then, I used the stripe and floral as the triangular shapes and the outer border squares of the saw tooth pattern.
It would be helpful to consider the size of each quilt block. The smaller they are, the more cutting and sewing that’s needed. Take your time to plan and get things right before you start cutting out your materials.
I made four mini quilts to fit each sewing piece rather than an entire rectangular quilt, as this approach would waste materials. Draw a diagram of the quilt block pieces, including dimensions and the number of pieces to cut out.
Step 2: Cut out the fabric
Following your quilt block diagram, begin cutting out all the pieces needed to sew the quilt together.
Step 3: Sew the quilt blocks together
Start sewing the quilt blocks together. I found it easiest to sew piles of the same block pieces together at once before moving on to the next. For example, a Saw Tooth can be sewn together starting with the flying goose method. Sewing in batches will make this quilting process a lot quicker.
Step 4: Trim the quilt blocks
Before sewing the Saw Tooth blocks together, they must be squared up and trimmed. This is done by using a rotary cutter and a quilting ruler.
Trimming the blocks helps keep everything accurate. Seams can stretch once sewn to other fabrics, so don’t miss this step.
Step 5: Sew the quilt together
Begin joining the quilt blocks into a pattern layout you are happy with. I used my sewing pattern pieces to help guide me on how many pieces to sew together. I sewed linen borders around the Saw Tooth blocks to break up the pattern.
Step 6: Sew the lining together
Find a flat, hard-surfaced area to lay the lining and batting fabrics. I placed my lining right side down first and taped it to the tile floor using masking tape. I pulled the fabric tight to keep it nice and flat.
Place the batting down on top of the lining and smooth it flat. Place the quilt top onto the batting and lining. Smooth this out and tape it to the tiles like the lining. This holds everything in place for pinning.
Once all three quilt layers are in place, begin pinning the layers together with quilting safety pins. These will keep all the layers together so the quilt can be hand-stitched or machine-stitched. Try adding more pins than fewer so everything sits nicely. Pull the tape off the fabric and tiles.
Step 7: Quilt the fabrics together
Mark lines into the quilt top using a Hera marker or the back of a butter knife. This helps guide you on how to hand-stitch the quilt’s fabric layers together.
I chose to hand-stitch mine together because I prefer the finish. Sara has shared a helpful step-by-step hand-sewing tutorial on her Instagram stories on how to do this. Begin stitching the fabric layers together with a needle and thread. (or use a sewing machine if you prefer). Follow along the marked lines to guide you.
Step 8: Cut out the quilted fabric using a jacket pattern
I chose the All Well Cardigan Coat pattern because I loved the shape and style. This pattern comes with a pattern hack guide, which I followed for the collar. Trace around the pattern pieces and cut the quilted fabric out.
Step 9: Follow your sewing pattern instructions
Follow along with your sewing pattern instructions to construct your quilted jacket. The pattern I used had instructions to bind the outer jacket edges, which I love the finish of. I decided to cut out binding strips and use them to finish the inside seams.
Quilt Jacket Conclusion
This is one of the longest sewing projects I have done so far. It was pretty challenging, but it was fun to make. I hope you have found some inspiration and helpful tips to make your quilted jacket.
Love,

More Clothing Sewing Projects
How to Make a Quilted Jacket with a Pattern
Keep warm and cosy this winter in a beautiful handmade quilted jacket. Adding this quilted jacket to any outfit elevates it, showing off your character and style. Anyone can give this sewing project a go by following a simple, beginner-friendly sewing pattern.
Materials
- 2 metres (2 yards) – main fabric
- 1 metre (1 yard) – contrasting fabric
- 1/2 metre (1/2 yard) – 2nd contrasting fabric
- 2 metres (2 yards) – lining fabric
- 100% cotton Sashiko thread
- Olympus Sashiko needles
- Jacket sewing pattern – I used the All-Well Cardigan Coat hacked into the Simple Collar version.
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Quilters ruler
- Hera marker or butter knife
- Quilting pins
Instructions
Step 1: Choose a quilt pattern or find a quilt
If you don’t want to sew a quilt, find a premade quilt that is either new or vintage.
I made my quilt using a book called The Patchwork Quilt Design & Colouring Book, which is full of helpful quilting information. I settled on a traditional saw tooth pattern. Once the pattern is decided, begin planning where each fabric will go.
I decided on using plain linen for the inner squares and the borders. Then, I used the stripe and floral as the triangular shapes and the outer border squares of the saw tooth pattern.
It would be helpful to consider the size of each quilt block. The smaller they are, the more cutting and sewing that’s needed. Take your time to plan and get things right before you start cutting out your materials.
I made four mini quilts to fit each sewing piece rather than an entire rectangular quilt, as this approach would waste materials. Draw a diagram of the quilt block pieces, including dimensions and the number of pieces to cut out.
Step 2: Cut out the fabric
Following your quilt block diagram, begin cutting out all the pieces needed to sew the quilt together.
Step 3: Sew the quilt blocks together
Start sewing the quilt blocks together. I found it easiest to sew piles of the same block pieces together at once before moving on to the next. For example, a Saw Tooth can be sewn together starting with the flying goose method. Sewing in batches will make this quilting process a lot quicker.
Step 4: Trim the quilt blocks
Before sewing the Saw Tooth blocks together, they must be squared up and trimmed. This is done by using a rotary cutter and a quilting ruler.
Trimming the blocks helps keep everything accurate. Seams can stretch once sewn to other fabrics, so don’t miss this step.
Step 5: Sew the quilt together
Begin joining the quilt blocks into a pattern layout you are happy with. I used my sewing pattern pieces to help guide me on how many pieces to sew together. I sewed linen borders around the Saw Tooth blocks to break up the pattern.
Step 6: Sew the lining together
Find a flat, hard-surfaced area to lay the lining and batting fabrics. I placed my lining right side down first and taped it to the tile floor using masking tape. I pulled the fabric tight to keep it nice and flat.
Place the batting down on top of the lining and smooth it flat. Place the quilt top onto the batting and lining. Smooth this out and tape it to the tiles like the lining. This holds everything in place for pinning.
Step 7: Quilt the fabrics together
Mark lines into the quilt top using a Hera marker or the back of a butter knife. This helps guide you on how to hand-stitch the quilt’s fabric layers together.
I chose to hand-stitch mine together because I prefer the finish. Sara has shared a helpful step-by-step hand-sewing tutorial on her Instagram stories on how to do this. Begin stitching the fabric layers together with a needle and thread. (or use a sewing machine if you prefer). Follow along the marked lines to guide you.
Step 8: Cut out the quilted fabric using a jacket pattern
I chose the All Well Cardigan Coat pattern because I loved the shape and style. This pattern comes with a pattern hack guide, which I followed for the collar. Trace around the pattern pieces and cut the quilted fabric out.
Step 9: Follow your sewing pattern instructions
Follow along with your sewing pattern instructions to construct your quilted jacket. The pattern I used had instructions to bind the outer jacket edges, which I love the finish of. I decided to cut out binding strips and use them to finish the inside seams.
I don’t know what ‘m’ stands for….(as in 2m fabric). If you give me the term I can look it up for a translation to US terms. Thanks. I appreciated your technique and I liked your jacket.
Hi Marcia, thank you so much for your lovely comment. Sorry for the confusion, M = metres of fabric. Happy sewing xx
Love this so much!
When you say you made 4 mini quilts for each piece does that mean you made 1 mini quilt for each arm, back, and front?
And how did you know what size to make each mini quilt – did you go off the jacket pattern dimensions?
Hi Emily, thank you! Yes, you are spot on. I cut out the jacket pattern pieces and used them as size guides to sew together the quilt panels. I didn’t want to waste material or my time sewing one large quilt to cut out, so it made sense to me to do it that way. I hope that makes sense 🙂
I’m really happy to find a website with patterns from this decade! Your jacket turned out lovely.
Aw thank you so much!
I’m so glad I discovered your websites. So many beautiful patterns and useful information – thank you! Also, yours is one of the only newsletters I’ve purposely subscribed to and actually read.
Thank you for this lovely comment, Julia! I’m so glad you find my content helpful. Thanks for your support xx
Been wanting a drop sleeve pattern on a jacket. Your short cuts on just making and mini quilt sections makes a lot of sense to me. Feel I can go forward and try this out. Thank you.
Hi Linda, Im so pleased that my tutorial helped you find clarity with your jacket project. Making the mini quilts really helped save time and reduced my overall waste of both fabric and money. Good luck with your jacket 🙂
This might sound silly, but should I preshrink the material before a start?
Hi Shelby, thats not silly at all. You don’t need to prewash quilting fabrics but it depends on the final look you are after. If you prewash then the fabric won’t shrink at all. If you don’t prewash the fabric will shrink a little bit creating that scummy wrinkled quilt look.
Hi, I loved your tutorial. Well explained. I have retired from patchwork & quilting in NZ after 25years. I am a New Zealander living in England(miss NZ). Good luck with your venture.
Thank you Indra. This message makes me so happy! I hope you get to come back home to New Zealand soon. Take care x
I think the quilted jacket you made is so adorable. My granddaughter wants me to make her one using a pattern that has a hoodie and with 2-1/2” squares! Wow! Please wish me luck because this is a daunting task for me! I’ve only been quilting for about 2-/2 years. I’d much rather tackle the pattern like the one you used. I’ve enjoyed your tutorial. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Glenda. That is so kind. Your granddaughter is very lucky, I’m sure it will turn out beautiful. Enjoy sewing!
Such a beautiful jacket! Do you happen to know the name of the floral fabric you used? It looks like Liberty maybe? Thanks! xo
Thank you! It’s actually just a random floral cotton fabric I found at a local craft store but it does look like a Liberty print for sure!
I do have an old log cabin quilt that I can use to make a jacket but don’t know how to do so. Can you direct me to some instructions using an actual quilt?
Barbara
Hi Barbara, to use an actual quilt I would just treat it like any other fabric. Place the pattern pieces on top and cut out. Thanks, Makyla
Hi Makyla! When looking at the jacket pattern it gives options for different lengths: crop, mid, or long. Which length did you use to make your jacket?
Hi Abby, I made the mid length 🙂 Thanks, Mak