One big goal this spring is to make a Grainline Studio Tamarack Jacket. It's just the right jacket for our mild climate and I think it will be perfect for running errands or going on walks this spring.

It's a quilted jacket with welt pockets and bias binding. The possibilities are absolutely endless! I think it's a great pattern for bold prints - which is totally up my alley. I'd love to use some of our printed textiles as the outer or lining fabric.

Here's some examples of finished Tamaracks around the web, just to give you an idea of the pattern:

1. @kristi_sweetkm’s 2. The Drapery 3. @broadclothstudio 4. @emmamaystitching 5. Grainline Studio 6. What Katie Sews

I'm still pretty new to garment sewing, but I can tell you one of the best things about sewing your own clothes is making alterations! For my Tamarack, I want to round the edges like #2 and I think I might shorten the length a bit like #4. I also want to add snap buttons for closure. There's a handy supply list Grainline put together for all the options.  

So, I've been researching fabric options and boy is it easy to get overwhelmed. There's so many good combinations out there, I know I'll be making more than one jacket! Please have a look and let me know what you think!

1. Kokka Canvas + Parlor 2. Swallow + Cotton and Steel 3. Nani Iro + Cotton and Steel 4. Echino + Parlor 5. Cotton and Steel + Morning Glory

These print combos are some of my favorite options. I love every one I came up with! #1 is probably my favorite, but how sweet is #5? I like using slightly different shades of the same color side-by-side. #4 could also be really cool. Click through and see what this pattern looks like in repeat!

1. Linen + Cotton and Steel 2. Essex + Japanese Cotton 3. Essex + Pokeberry 4. Kiyohara Linen + Brown Thrasher 5. Heuchera + Shot Cotton 6. Essex + Liberty

This is going to be so hard! I love the solid+print combinations, too! Here's a way to use a bold, bright print that's not so intimidating. I love #2, that Japanese Cotton is just lovely and would be such a pop of color. Though I have to say, using our Pokeberry print, like in #3, would really be special. I might have to make up a few of these.

All of these are Robert Kaufman Essex Yard Dyed Linens and Shot Cotton. These are my favorite color pairings, but you could easily mix and match. Choosing monochrome colors is easy on the eyes and would make a sweet little jacket. I'm also really curious about Shot Cotton, I might have to order a swatch soon!

I think what draws me most to this jacket style are the possibilities of piecing the outer fabric. It would have to be a bit more modern, either by choosing a limited color palette, or big quilt blocks.

1. Here are some ideas from my Pinterest Board and Grainline Studio's Pinterest Boards. I love the use of bold and graphic quilt squares. The middle image is a more subtle approach using mostly whites.

2. Jen Beeman's idea of using a vintage quilt for the outer jacket fabric is awesome. The middle image is a quilted pillow cover using our fabrics and the last image is my Flying Geese design. I'm thinking of reprinting this design soon. I love the reference to a quilted pattern in print.

3. The blues in this quilt by Insung make an inspiring one color palette. But I love the colors and simplicity of this improved quilt. The last image is a quilt by Tierney Barden. You can buy the kit for Tierney's quilt here.

4. More examples of piecing using our hand printed textiles. And lastly, a very graphic, but modern flying geese quilt.

Okay, what do you think?! Are there any combinations that you really like? I'm sort of leaning towards a print-on-print combo for the spring. Maybe I'll try a quilted outer fabric for a fall jacket. hmm.

I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

xx Sara