Go Anywhere Coat

This workshop takes place over Two Days separated by a month: Thursday 1st September and Thursday 29th September. This is so that you can do some homework in-between. Perhaps a little stitching, embellishment or catching up. Read on to hear about the structure of the class and what you will need. You may book for this class by scrolling down to the bottom and choosing ‘add to cart’ and following the prompts to complete the purchase. Note: It is not possible to book for a single day only. Make sure you are able to come to both sessions before booking. 

This reversible coat is based on the oldest known garment, the ‘Bog Coat’. The original was found in a bog in Denmark in 1000 BC. It has appeared in many countries over the centuries and it is still a versatile garment. It is a simple jacket without shaping, made from two rectangles of fabric cleverly cut and origami-ed into a wearable. It is just right for an outer layer over a knit for a cool day or to cover up going to and from a restaurant or performance in the evening! Some ladies have dubbed their version their ‘retreat coat’ and they take it with them on all their quilting retreats!  Lynn spends time with each individual and their specific measurements to create the fit that will work for them. 

Make your coat in colours and fabrics to enhance your wardrobe today. The coat packs flat for travelling and provides those extra layers when the weather is cooler. It could have a flat collar, Mandarin collar or no collar and most importantly it is made to fit YOU. It is not one size fits all. You also have the chance to embellish the coat in your own style to suit yourself too. You could incorporate Sashiko panels that you have stitched or pieced collected fabrics that you love. Of course it wouldn’t need to be Japanese in theme..! It could be any fabric combination you like!

About Your Teacher Lynn Hewitt:

Lynn Hewitt is an accredited quilt tutor and well renowned teacher of various methods. She has a close association with Japan having led many tours there over the years. These frequent trips to Japan have influenced Lynn’s recent works, and she enjoys exploring new techniques which she likes to share with her students. She is an ardent promotor of all things quilting, particularly focussing on encouraging creativity and design. She loves to share her extensive knowledge with her students and no matter your level of experience, you will walk away from her class with new tips and tricks up your sleeve.

Lynn has been making quilts for 30 years and teaching Patchwork and Quilting for 29 years. She has twice been President of The Quilters ’Guild of NSW ( now QuiltNSW), and is on the Teacher Accreditation and Judging sub-committees. She has judged 34 Quilt Show including Country Quilt Shows in NSW as well as major Quilt Shows in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Darwin.

In 2017 at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne, Lynn was presented with the Rajah Award for outstanding contribution to quilting in Australia. This award is named after the ship the “ Rajah” which transported convict women to Tasmania in 1841. Elizabeth Fry, a Quaker in England organised sewing supplies for the women to make quilts on the voyage, keeping them busy, and providing them with a means of earning some money by being able to sell quilts at ports along the way.

Class Structure:

Day One Thursday 1st September: Create pieced fabric for the two sides of the coat.  Lynn is a happy and positive, problem solver and generally skilled maker and teacher who will work with you to put the puzzle pieces together and you’ll all have fun while doing it! 
Day Two Thursday 29th September: Assemble the coat and (perhaps) wear it home. Lynn understands the joy of finishing your item and has taught this workshop many times. She knows how to pace the class with the object of sending you home in your amazing new coat! 

REQUIREMENTS: So you have an idea of what you would need, because it is a bit fabric heavy, here are basic requirements. More detailed requirements will be provided on sign up. The garment is reversible and is a great opportunity for those who are interested to prepare sashiko stitched panels or similar to include in the coat outer, pockets or lining. 

Fabric (Needs to be at least 112cm wide)
Side 1: ‘We call this the Lining’ – 2.5 m This will do for for up to Size 14, 3m if you are a larger size. 
Side 2: ‘We call this the Outer’- 2m to 2.5m main fabric and 50cm to 1m of contrasting fabric to piece together and personalise. 

VISITING TUTOR REFUND POLICY: Due to the outlays we have for visiting tutors, we do not refund class fees once booked and paid for any reason including; change of mind, change of circumstances or illness. You may organise a replacement delegate in class if you can no longer attend but financial arrangements would need to be organised between the two of you. If you are unable to attend class at short notice because of illness we can provide you with store credit valid for 6 months. Please let us knew as soon as you know you can’t attend. We may have a waiting list. 

COVID 19: At the time listing Covid 19 protocols such as social distancing of 1.5m will apply so we can keep the class mask free. It is still a requirement that if you have any cold or flu symptoms that you do not attend. If you are unable to attend class at short notice because of illness we can provide you with store credit valid for 6 months. 

Lynn and Sharon in the Japan in Berry display

Lynne with a pair of her jackets in the Japan in Berry display

Jenny and Beth with their finished coats last time we ran the class.

Lynn demonstrating the measurements at our last class.

Jenny stressing over the cuts before the origami process!

Jenny’s Jacket after the origami process.

Liz’s Jacket front showing pocket details.

Liz’s jacket showing the piecing details along the shoulder

Four Finished Jackets in our last class.

Same four showing the backs. Notice Jenny’s sashiko panel on the back and pockets.

 

A jacket on display at the Japan in Berry event in Jan 2021

One of Lynns jackets on display at the Japan in Berry event in Jan 2021. Again featuring patchworked fabric and Sashiko stitching.

Another of Lynns jackets on display featuring Sashiko pockets and contrast piping.

One of Lynn’s jackets on display at the Japan in Berry event in Jan 2021. This one featuring patchworked fabric and accent piping.

 

Lynn with Noriko Endo in Japan

Lynn with her work at an exhibition at Hazelhurst Gallery

Lynn at the Sydney Quilt show. This pic from Linda Steele’s blog.

Lynn white gloving again at Sydney Show.