A blanket coat made from a Hudson Bay-style blanket is an inspiring and distinctive example of style and craft. In this skill-building workshop, students will gain the patterning, fitting, and sewing skills they need to create their own unique blanket coat. Made from new or recycled wool blankets, these coats are very adaptable and can be used for many outdoor activities and conditions. Students will practice fitting their patterns, handstitching, and utilizing construction techniques as applied to blanket coat making. Students will come away knowing sturdy and decorative hand stitch variations and will have a custom blanket coat pattern based on the distinctive North House Folk School example. Students will leave with their coat cut from the blanket and ready to be stitched and finished at home. Each student should bring their own blanket. Please contact the instructor after you register to receive guidelines for choosing your new or recycled blanket for your coat.

You will need the following tools for this class:

Note - Bring your favorite tools for handsewing – it is important to have tools that you are most comfortable using.  Assemble your tools in a sewing tool box. If you cannot find some of the tools listed don’t worry – there will be some extra of all of these tools provided in the classroom to share.

Sewing machines – If you own a portable sewing machine, bring it to class. Please test it before coming to class to know that it is in working order. Bring bobbins to fit your machine. We will use sewing machines primarily to baste (temporary stitching) the pieces together for your pattern mock-ups. The machine sewing 

techniques needed for this pattern mock-up will be very simple straight or zig-zag overlapped seams. If you do not own a sewing machine that you can bring, North House has a few machines. You will be welcome to use them and will be given basic instruction for their use.

Regular hand sewing needles used for sewing with thread

Tapestry needles and Chenille needles for sewing with yarn (both come in assorted packages of sizes 18 - 22) (Both types of needles have large eyes for 

sewing with yarn. Chenille needles have sharp points, Tapestry needles have 

dull points.)

Needle threaders – two sizes, 1) for sewing with yarn and 2) for sewing with 

thread

Thimble (some like leather thimbles, or metal thimbles sized to fit your finger)

Pins (longer pins with plastic heads are very handy for thick fabrics)

Pin cushion or magnet

See-Thru Clear Plastic Ruler (Hancock’s Fabrics has the Quilter’s See-Thru Drafting Ruler 18” x 2” for about $8.00; or bring any smaller or larger clear  plastic rulers)

Flexible measuring tape

Fabric marking pencil

Lead pencil, eraser, sharpener

Paper cutting scissors

Fabric cutting scissors – sharp and sturdy for cutting blankets (If you prefer using a rotary cutter instead of a scissors, please bring a cutting mat)

Small thread cutting scissors

Seam ripper

Sewing awl (sometimes called a tailor’s awl – not a leather stitching lock-stich awl)

Small pliers or needle puller

White all-purpose machine sewing thread for sewing mock-ups

Tools and supplies instructor will bring to share in the classroom. If it is convenient for you to bring any of these items, you can also bring your own

Sleeve board (for ironing sleeves) 
Tailor’s ham and Seam pressing board or roll
Travel Iron/travel press board
Press cloth
Hand-held steamer
Needle point marking wheels for marking pattern lines
Fabric carbon paper mounted on foam core boards
Handy variety of tapes – Tiger tape marked in 1/2 inch and smaller intervals, 3M surgical tape, Scotch Magic tape, Wash-away tape, etc.
Third Hand Clamp (Lacis brand)