Quilt a patchwork sleeping bag from fabric remnants

Quilt a sleeping bag

With a variety of blocks and fabric remnants you can make this lovely quilted sleeping bag.

project MARIETJIE VAN WYK of MERAKI SEWING STUDIO photo HENK VENTER

DIFFICULTY: medium (a lot of time and patience) TIME: at least a week

YOU WILL NEED ♥ paper patterns (according to diagram you choose and enlarging and measuring out to scale; remember seam allowances) ♥ quilt fabrics in chosen colours, patterns and shades ♥ 4m unbleached linen (calico) for inner lining ♥ 2m plain fabric for outer back (eg bull denim or suede) ♥ cotton thread in a neutral colour to stitch blocks and sleeping bag together ♥ 4m batting (the thick type) ♥ fabric scissors or roller cutter ♥ long quilting pins ♥ marker pen ♥ sewing needle with large eye and sharp point for hand quilting ♥ thick upholstery thread in contrasting colour ♥ 3m zip fastener ♥ double sliders ♥ 1,5m cotton fabric in contrasting colour for binding and carry-bag ♥ 1,2m cord ♥ 1 stopper

TO MAKE 1 Choose the colours/shades/patterns you are using together, preferably 8‒10 different colours minimum. Lay the fabric out to create an attractive uniform image and play around to get the best results. Count how many blocks in each size you need and measure out your fabric for each block. As this is a random patchwork project, you can just enjoy playing around. 2 Remember to add seam allowances, about 1cm extra. Cut out all your blocks and lay them out on a work surface. When you are happy with the arrangement, start stitching the larger blocks together. Make sure your seams are perfectly square. Iron each seam open separately before further fitting it in place and stitching it together. When your whole quilt is stitched together, measure the final size. 3 Cut two pieces of calico according to this size. Cut one back panel the same size. Cut 2 pieces of batting this size. With a good marking pen, mark on the back panel the blocks you are going to quilt through by hand. 4 Place batting between 2 layers of calico and wrong sides of front and back panels to right sides of calico, so that the calico inner is sandwiched between the front and back panels. Pin down securely all around along the edges, through all the layers. Also pin down your marked blocks, so that the fabric cannot move (thus at each corner of each block). Quilt with long, loose stitches and thick upholstery thread along your lines. 5 When the quilt is done, the outer edges of the front and back panels are stitched closed. Stitch the front and back panels of the sleeping bag together at the lefthand side seam: If the sleeping bag is lying flat in front of you, the pattern runs upwards, with the right side facing you. The seam is thus at your left-hand side. Stitch through all the seams ‒ taking care to catch all the layers ‒ with 1cm seam allowances. 6 Now you are going to cover the seams with the binding (gingham strip in photo). Cut 6 strips (2m altogether) binding of 6cm wide on the bias, join 4 together for the sides and bottom edge of the sleeping bag and 2 for the top edge, and iron flat. Round off the two bottom corners slightly and stitch the binding with right sides together to the back panel of the sleeping bag, 1,5cm from the edge. 7 Fold your sleeping bag lengthwise in half and measure your zip fastener to fit along the side and bottom edge. Reinforce the end with a piece of cotton. Leave open the top edge. Insert double sliders. Open the zip fastener, start on both sides at the top edge and pin the wrong side of the zip fastener carefully to the back panel. Leave the seam open at the bottom corner. Now your sleeping bag can zip open completely and can also be used as a picnic blanket. Stitch down the zip fastener at 1cm using a special zipper foot. 8 Fold over the binding to the front, fold in the raw edge and stitch down with topstitching. Bind the top edge of sleeping bag in the same way using the binding. Fold in the ends to finish off. 9 Cut a bag of 85cm x 65cm and round base of 27cm diameter. Stitch the side seam with right sides facing and leaving the seam a few centimeters open at the top. Mark four equal parts and stitch the base and bag sides together. Leave the top edge open. Use French seams to reinforce seams. Fold over top edge to the wrong side to form a casing for the cord and stitch down. Thread the cord through the opening in the side seam and tie the cord ends together. Thread the cord through the stopper.