Upcycling with the Accuquilt GO! cutter

So, have you figured out what I might be doing with the suit jackets that I buy from the Goodwill store? No? Well, keep reading to find out...

I've been constructing small pillows or pincushions with the fabric from the suit jacket. I take the jacket apart, which is probably the most time consuming part, then wash, dry and iron the fabric. In addition, I've been cutting out shapes using my Accuquilt GO! cutter from new cotton fabric to embellish the pincushions/pillows. I hand stitch the appliqués to the wool top using embroidery floss or perle cotton. In case I've lost you, here's what the process looks like:




Here's the suit jacket partially deconstructed. Looks like it's been attacked by a pack of coyotes, doesn't it? I use my seam ripper and my scissors when taking it apart; sometimes I am able to just rip up the seam and it will come apart nicely. I also remove the buttons from the jacket; they can be upcycled too!

Jacket partially deconstructed

This is the fabric that has been cut/torn away from the rest of the jacket. I wash and dry the fabric before doing anything further with it so it's nice and soft.

Fabric salvaged from jacket

I then cut a square using my 6" Accuquilt GO! die from the wool fabric to use as the front of my pincushion and from muslin for the back of it. I'm then ready to play! 

I cut out various appliqué shapes using my GO! dies and may also add some yo-yos or buttons for embellishment.  Here are some examples of possible arrangements.

Option #1 with die cut fabric
appliqué, yo-yo and buttons
(GO! Rose of Sharon die)

Option #2 with die cut appliqués
(GO! Hearts, Stars and Rose of Sharon dies)

Option #3 with 3 die cut appliqués
(GO! Hearts, Rose of Sharon dies)

Option #4 with 2 die cut appliqués
and a yo-yo in the centre
(GO! Hearts, Rose of Sharon dies)

Option #5 with 3 die cut appliqués
and a button for embellishment
(GO! Rose of Sharon die)

Once I find an arrangement that appeals to me, I stitch the appliqués down with embroidery floss or perle cotton, adding a little more style to the piece. 

Use perle cotton or embroidery floss
to affix the appliqués

The front and back are then stitched right sides together, leaving a small opening for turning. The corners are clipped and then the pincushion/pillow is turned and stuffed and the opening stitched closed. Voilà! You've got a cute pincushion or pillow to decorate your sewing studio. 

Have you been haunting the second-hand stores and upcycling too? Let me know what you have created with found treasures and if you happen to see me at the Goodwill store, stay away from the men's suit jackets aisle!