The Do’s and Don’ts of Upcycling A Vintage Quilts Into Clothing
If you’re joining the Chore Coat Quilt-A-Long, welcome! One of the most important (and sometimes overwhelming) first steps is choosing the right quilt to work with. Starting with a quilt that’s the right size, comfortable to wear, and emotionally easy to cut into will make the entire QAL more enjoyable.
Big Picture: What Makes a Good QAL Quilt?
Before we get into specifics, here are the three big things to keep in mind:
- Correct size – You need enough usable area to cut all pattern pieces.
- Wearable colors & prints – Ask yourself honestly, "Would I wear this as a coat or jacket?"
- Won’t be missed in your home – If cutting it up will make you sad, it’s probably not the right choice.
You have more flexibility than you might think. Any of the following options can work beautifully as a Chore Coat:
- A vintage quilt
- A quilt you already made (especially one sitting unfinished in your WIP pile)
- A new quilt made specifically for a coat, using a pattern you love. This FREE Irish Chain Quilt is a great place to start!
- Pieced sections combined together to match the coat pattern layout
The key is choosing something that works with the pattern rather than fighting against it.
Vintage Quilt Guidelines:
Vintage quilts can make incredible coats, but not every old quilt is a good candidate. Here’s how I decide.
Vintage Quilt Do’s:
- Roughly 20–60 years old: These quilts often strike the best balance between durability and character.
- Some wear is okay: Holes, stains, and worn spots are fine—as long as there are large enough areas in good condition to cut all of your coat pieces.
- Check fabric strength: Gently tug the fabric in several areas, especially light‑colored prints and fold lines. If the fabric tears easily or feels powdery, it’s too fragile for garment wear.
- Look for even quilting and consistent thickness: Clothing patterns work best when the quilt layers are evenly quilted and not overly puffy. Uneven batting or extremely dense hand quilting can affect both drape and comfort.
Vintage Quilt Don’ts
- Use a quilt over 100 years old and in good shape: If a quilt has outlived my grandparents, I don't want to be the one to cut into it.
- Don't use family heirlooms: This one is debatable. Some people see garment‑making as a way to honor a loved one’s legacy. Personally, I’d rather display or use a family quilt that’s been passed down for generations. If you do plan to use an heirloom, check with close relatives first to be sure no one will feel hurt.
- Don't use one with strong or unpleasant smells: This is common with quilts from garage sales, resale shops, or online listings. Some odors wash out—and some absolutely don’t. If the smell can’t be removed, you probably won’t wear the finished coat, no matter how beautiful it is.
- Too delicate to wash: Some older quilts will disintegrate in modern washing machines. I personally want a coat I can wash, so this is a deal‑breaker for me.
- Overly heavy or dense fabrics: Unless you’re using a heavy‑duty or industrial sewing machine, avoid quilts made with denim or very dense materials. The seams become extremely bulky and hard to finish cleanly.
Where to Find Quilts
Good quilts for upcycling are out there—you just may need to hunt a bit.
- Garage sales
- Thrift shops (hit or miss; many are picked over or carry mass‑manufactured quilts)
- Antique shops
- Online auction sites
- eBay - I almost hate to share this because it’s my secret weapon —but you guys can keep a secret, right? If you search often and are patient, eBay is full of real treasures at reasonable prices. Disclaimer: I’ve had quilts arrive in much worse shape than expected. It can be very disappointing to realize a quilt will not be usable, and some sellers have strict no‑return policies. Those quilts have since become outdoor or camping blankets instead of coats.
Choosing the right quilt sets the tone for the entire QAL. When you start with a quilt that’s durable, wearable, and feels good to cut into, the rest of the process becomes a lot more fun—and far less stressful.
These photos show examples of pieced sections, a the Irish Chain quilt, and a coat from an upcycled vintage quilt.
Ready to Get Started?
If you haven’t already, make sure you have the pattern downloaded and ready so you can follow along when the Quilt-A-Long begins. I’ll be walking through the pattern step by step, sharing tips, answering common questions, and sewing right alongside you.
Grab your Chore Coat pattern, choose a quilt that feels right, and get ready—we’re about to turn quilts into coats.
👉 Shop the Pattern & Join the QAL
