Jen Eskridge - Deploy That Fabric: 23 Sewing Projects Use Military Uniforms in Everyday Life

Text copyright 2011 by Jen Eskridge Photography and Artwork copyright 2011 by C&T Publishing, Inc. Publisher: Amy Marson Creative Director: Gailen Runge Acquisitions Editor: Susanne Woods Editor: Lynn Koolish Technical Editors: Ellen Pahl, Sandy Peterson, and Gailen Runge Cover/Book Designer: Kristy Zacharias Page Layout Artist: April Mostek Production Coordinator: Jessica Jenkins Production Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi Illustrator: Aliza Shalit Photography by Christina Carty-Francis and Diane Pedersen of C&T Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted Published by Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549 All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be used in any form or reproduced by any meansgraphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systemswithout written permission from the publisher. The copyrights on individual artworks are retained by the artists as noted in Deploy That Fabric. These designs may be used to make items only for personal use or donation to nonprofit groups for sale or for display only at events, provided the following credit is included on a conspicuous label: Designs copyright 2011 by Jen Eskridge from the book Deploy That Fabric from C&T Publishing, Inc. Permission for all other purposes must be requested in writing from C&T Publishing, Inc.

Attention Copy Shops: Please note the following exceptionpublisher and author give permission to photocopy pages 118126 for personal use only. Attention Teachers: C&T Publishing, Inc., encourages you to use this book as a text for teaching. Contact us at 800-284-1114 or www.ctpub.com for lesson plans and information about the C&T Creative Troupe. We take great care to ensure that the information included in our products is accurate and presented in good faith, but no warranty is provided nor are results guaranteed. Having no control over the choices of materials or procedures used, neither the author nor C&T Publishing, Inc., shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. For your convenience, we post an up-to-date listing of corrections on our website ( or at P.O.

Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549. Trademark () and registered trademark () names are used throughout this book. Rather than use the symbols with every occurrence of a trademark or registered trademark name, we are using the names only in the editorial fashion and to the benefit of the owner, with no intention of infringement. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Eskridge, Jen (Jennifer Reanna) Deploy That Fabric : 23 Sewing Projects Use Military Uniforms in Everyday Life / Jen Eskridge. pages cm ISBN 978-1-60705-244-9 (soft cover) 1. 2. 2.

Military uniforms. I. Title. TT550.E85 2011 646.3--dc22 2010048433 Printed in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Dedication For my husband, who inspires me, loves me, and is supportive of my creative tendencies Acknowledgments Thank you to our military service membersthe men and women who defend our freedoms and protect our way of life. This book evolved from a simple idea into a complete book. None of it would have been possible without the pattern testersKaren Morello, Becky Morello, Colleen Eskridge, Leigh Roper, Dawn Owens, Debbie Fick, Annette Miller, Nicole Gustafson, Kathy Schwabeland, and Joann Farely.

Thank you so much for your support and ideas. Thank you also to the companies that generously donated fabric and supplies for the projects in this book: FreeSpirit Fabrics, Michael Miller Fabrics, Blank Quilting, Art Gallery Fabrics, Superior Threads, and C&T Publishing. Note This book is not endorsed by any branch or member of the U.S. military. The main purpose of this book is to honor the service members who are fighting for our freedoms, both at home and abroad. Of course, an added bonus is that by using the tips, tricks, and projects in this book, you can also recycle military uniforms after they are no longer needed for service.

Although I wholly advocate recycling used, stained, ripped, or decommissioned uniforms, it is very important to ask your service member first before you sneak garments out of the back of the closet. Deploy That Fabric is organized in three sections. The first section describes tips and techniques for deconstructing and repurposing a uniform. The next section is a collection of projects made using the military uniform paired with bright, colorful fabrics. Projects range from accessories and home dcor to holiday and baby items. The projects require varying degrees of sewing skill; the level is indicated at the beginning of the project.

Skill levels, which range from novice to skilled to experienced, are defined as follows: Novice: Beginner Skilled: Confident beginner Experienced: Intermediate sewer with considerable experience The final section contains sewing and quilting techniques. This section explains the techniques you will need to make the projects in this book, as well as for other sewing projects you undertake. If you are apprehensive about cutting into your service members uniform, consider purchasing a uniform from a thrift store. It may be easier to start a project if you arent emotionally attached to the fabric. Whats important is that you are making the project for someone you care about. Also, keep in mind that the uniform you are using is no longer needed, so anything you make will breathe new life into it.

Go forth and create with confidence. You can do it! Deconstructing a Uniform into Flat Pieces The most important element in preparing your uniform for repurposing is to create flat pieces that will be easy to work with. Clothing often has shape-fitting darts or curved seams to control the fit of the garment, and a uniform is no different. Cut around these curves or rip out the stitching line to create flat, usable pieces. The shapes that you end up with may be very odd, but thats okay. Note At the time of this writing, military uniforms are as described.

By the time the book is released and future copies are read, some variations may have been introduced to the everchanging military uniform. ) the seam with coordinating thread can easily help you achieve a look similar to the original uniform seams. Here are some helpful hints when working with uniforms.