Your fabric-batting sandwich should look like this:

3. Quilt your fabric

Now that your fabric-batting sandwich is assembled, we’re ready to quilt the fabric. For my Dropje, I chose to quilt evenly spaced horizontal lines for a clean design. You could also quilt a crosshatch design, diamonds, or vertical lines into your fabric.

Draw horizontal lines (selvage to selvage) on your fabric with a wash-away fabric marker or chalk using a straightedge. My lines are 2” apart and marked on the right side of my outer fabric.

If you have a walking foot, attach it now. With the outer fabric facing you, sew a straight stitch with a long stitch length down each line. Roll up the fabric as you work from right to left. Do a quick visual check after you sew each quilted line to make sure you haven’t sewn any puckers into the lining fabric.

4. Cut out your pattern pieces

Now we’re ready to start assembling this vest! Only three of your pattern pieces will be cut from the quilted fabric. Below I’ve outlined how I cut my Dropje pattern pieces.

From the quilted fabric prepared above, cut the

Front

Side

Back

From a small piece of outer fabric quilted with just a single layer of batting (no lining), cut the:

Outer Hood

Outer Hood Top

From a single layer of un-quilted outer fabric, cut the:

Facings (front, back, and armhole)

Hem Belt (I also interfaced this piece for added structure)

Inner Hood

Inner Hood Top

From a single layer of lining fabric, cut the:

Pocket

Cut out your pattern pieces like you normally would, making sure your quilted lines are aligned when folding the fabric. If your fabric is super bulky, don’t cut on the fold for easier cutting. Instead cut one-half of the pattern piece, flip the pattern piece over, and cut the other half.

5. Finish the edges of your pattern pieces

Because the quilted pattern pieces are much bulkier than a single layer of fabric, serge (or zigzag stitch) around every edge of the quilted pattern pieces. This will flatten the raw edge of the pattern pieces, making assembly easier. Also, iron the edge of each pattern piece to compress the batting a bit.

6. Sew up your vest!

Now that your pattern pieces are prepared, sew up the vest according to the instructions! Pay careful attention when topstitching around your pockets and facings so that your final garment looks polished.http://www.knittingfabric.cc/