Several years ago when I lived in southern California, I bought your Java Jacket pattern at a sewing expo, and waited a couple of years before making it. I used a variety of wonderful fabrics purchased from several sources – Quilt Festival in Houston, the garment district in New York, Keepsake Quilting – you get the idea. Anyway, I made it into a Garden Vest, using florals, jacquards, silks and expensive glazed ceramic buttons (watering cans, bunnies, sunflowers, trowel, etc.).

When I was finished, the Garden Vest was too big for me (I’m a 2-4 Petite), so I bought a beautiful padded hanger to match the garden theme, and hung it on the wall in my dining room (cottage garden theme). It was so lovely, and I was so proud of it! I had it for six-seven years and brought it to Atlanta when I moved in late 2006.

Last Fall, I participated in my first vendor show (I’m a custom quiltmaker), and I brought the Garden Vest along to show customers my workmanship and creativity. Lots of show attendees admired the vest, commented on the great style and colors, but no one offered to buy it (although I had not really expected to sell it, just show it off). Well, Janis spied it from across the room and made a beeline to the Garden Vest. She got so excited, not really expecting to see anything at the show that she really wanted, she just tagged along with some friends that came to the show every year. She said "I must have this vest, please let me try it on, how do I look?" Well, she didn’t even ask the price, just pulled out her checkbook and said "how much do I owe you". I sold the Garden Vest for $75.00, but I know she would have paid $150!!