Waistcoat

Materials

Cotton quilting fabric (Rounneries Deux by French General), cotton thread for piecing and quilting, very thin cotton wadding (clothing weight), calico (muslin) for backing the quilted portion prior to making up, silk for lining and back, metal buckle, metal buttons, covered in cotton fabric.

What was your inspiration?

My very patient husband never complains when I fill the house with bits of thread and heaps of fabric and wadding, neglecting the housework to get on with my beloved hobby, quilting. When he suddenly said that he would like a quilted waistcoat I really didn't know what to do. However, our niece, Jacqueline, a retired tailoress, was visiting us on holiday from Cornwall at the time, and she said that if I were to make a piece of quilted patchwork, sufficient to form the two front portions of the waistcoat, she would do the rest. She made a paper pattern from an existing (commercially produced) waistcoat of Derek's, gave me strict instructions as to precisely what she needed me to do and departed back to Cornwall. Some weeks later, at the beginning of August, I had completed two mirror-image pieces of quilted patchwork, each measuring about 18 by 26 inches, (photo attached) with seams carefully positioned so that buttonholes could be made (seams pressed open for once!) and Derek and I set off on the train to Cornwall for a holiday with Jacqueline. I deposited the two quilts with her, with sufficient fabric to complete the project. She chose and purchased the lining and backing fabric. The postman has just brought the finished garment this morning (27 November) and, in my husband's absence, I unpacked it gleefully, emailed Jacqueline to let her know it had been received safely and to thank her for her marvellous piece of work, photographed it and have now hidden it away, so that Derek will have a lovely surpirse for Christmas! I think he may have forgotten about the project by now, so that's all the better! I LOVE secrets!

What are you most proud of?

I can't take any credit for the beautiful way this has been made, right down to the fabric-covered buttons - my input was merely the patchwork and quilting. Jacqueline is a very experienced and highly skilled tailoress and she has made a wonderful job of the waistcoat. I can't wait to see Derek's face when he receives it on Christmas morning! I'll have to add a picture of him modelling it! All credit to clever Jacqueline!