I've been a subscriber to Columbus Monthly magazine for decades even though we don't actually live in the big city of Columbus, Ohio any more.  This month an artist was featured in an article in the Art & Craft section and so I went to check out her website where I saw this garment that made wheels creak and turn in my elderly brain.

https://www.dremcleod.com/shop-2?Category=Clothing

Dre McLeod is an artist who creates different kinds of things and she says she is intent on repurposing vintage quilts and other items that she calls "textile collages".  Her wall hangings, pouches and garments are all created from "used" textiles. She's a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design and she calls this particular garment  in the photo above a Quilt Duster.

(I always thought of a duster as the huge leather coat that a cowhand would wear as he rode the range following the herd to market. Evidently a duster is also another word for a housecoat. )

This particular duster is made from recycled fabrics from India and other places.

Makes me wonder if I could cut up some of my couch quilts and make robes out of them but on second thought I don't think that would be a good idea. I used Warm & Natural batting in those couch quilts and so my robes would be kinda bulky.

Judy, that is so neat!  I always think creator artists like that are so wonderful!  I don’t and can’t make quilted garments.  I I like that she can repurpose quilts with new life!

thanks for sharing!

Once upon a time I made quilted jackets for the women who worked at our office using plain sweatshirts as the base for the jackets. They were lots of fun to make and a big hit with the recipients but they were made from new sweatshirts and new fabrics ... not at all the same idea as what this woman is doing.

It would be tempting to cut up my baby quilt that my grandmother made back in 1941 and pair pieces from it with a quilt my grandma made in the 1930's but I will have to ponder on that for a while. Those are pastel-ish and faded and I am not a person who wears pastels.

At least those had very lightweight batting (probably Mountain Mist) because they were hand quilted.

First I'd have to find a "duster" pattern ...

Besides the fact that she is upcycling used items, that is a kantha quilt that has obviously been well used and loved.  Kantha usually have little to no batting, but they do have a lot of hand-stitching, big stitch quilting, etc.  It makes the throws very durable and quilty-feeling, but not too thick.  I really like that, and I can just tell how snuggly and soft it would be to wear, and not too thick. I really do like that!  Plus, I bet it doesn't even need a lining.

A few years ago, I bought a kind of casual jacket thing at Dressbarn, made from a very soft gray knit material, quilted in a diamond design, and lined with what feels like nylon tricot.  No buttons in front, no collar, a very simple design, and I thought it would be nice to wear in the office when the AC was too cold.  (I've never really ever been a sweater person.)  Well, as it turns out, I stopped wearing it at work and started just wearing it around the house when the weather is colder, as this old farm house is rather drafty.  It looks and feels more like an old quilted housecoat anyway.  And the few times I ever wore it at work or going to the store, I felt like others might think I was wearing my PJs to the store or something (which I know a lot of people do, but not me).  Hah!  But it IS more like a robe than a "casual office" look.  LOL     

Look for a pattern for a simple coat with a shawl collar.  

Thanks for the information about kantha quilts.

Rusty brain wheels are turning a bit faster. Thanks!

I love this piece.  I think I’ll have to find out more.