Thursday, May 7, 2009

Speaking of Shirley

I've got jeans in the making. There's a bit of tweaking to do, as soon as I can get to it. I have a jeans coat, several years old, made from old jeans. I still love that coat. Every spring and fall I wear it a couple of times at least. It's heavy, so it's comfortable only on very cool days.

Shirley Adams did this coat on her television show a long time ago. Years passed, and one day I was looking through the books she published and this coat was in one of them. I decided that it was something I wanted to do. Mine is not a replica, but the technique is the same.

I collected old jeans and used the legs for fabric. Dark jeans, light jeans. They were cut into strips, 3" wide, and sliced into different lengths. Then, strip-pieced into fabric.

I made fabric larger than each piece of the pattern. The fabric was quilted in a cross-hatch design to a cotton tie-dyed fabric. Then, I cut the pattern and assembled the coat.



There's a Hong Kong finish on the seams, and the armholes are bound. I cut leaf-shape pieces from faux suede in turquoise, hot pink and purple along with a green vine, and appliqued them to the front and back.

I used dark denim yardage for pockets, cuffs and binding around the outside of the jacket. The pockets are two denim circles stitched RST, turned through an opening and folded partially to form a flap at the top. Finally, I used iron-on crystals, scattered around.

Hopefully, this weekend I'll finish up my jeans. I have another pair in the queue. If they don't work out, I can always cut off the legs and make another coat!

13 Talk to me:

Julia said...

I love your jacket! That took lots of time!! What a great way to use up jeans that you no longer wear. You are so creative and have such an eye for detail and color combinations, etc..... I am so impressed.
I have a closet full of clothes that I don't wear for one reason or another that I am going to look through to see what I could use for refashioning. I love the idea.
Thanks for the bday greeting.
Gotta get in here and start on Little Man's bday outfit.

window dressing said...

Very pretty coat! I love the juxtaposition of lights and darks. And the splash of color of the vine. I would love to try something like that also. Now I have to go unearth all my jeans. They always tear at the knees and I never throw them out.

Diana said...

Oh,Wow,Gwen. That is one gorgeous jacket!You'd be able to wear that forever and it will never be out of style.
I've been thinking lately that I should concentrate on sewing only "special"pieces instead of churning out one outfit after another. I have way too many clothes.

Rose said...

You may have used old jeans, but you certainly put them together in a creative way! The jacket looks so good on you.

Maryissewfast said...

What a beautiful jacket! Timeless is what comes to mind. Also love the purple look to you blog...makes me want to dress mine up again!

Lori said...

That is a pretty jacket and it looks great on you.

Lauren said...

That's such a neat jacket! I love the contrast. I may have to borrow the idea- I've got a big stack of worn out jeans that need to be something but I haven't been able to think of anything small enough to make out of them. You've provided the answer!

Ann Made Studio said...

Your jacket is beautiful! Very original and unique. I love it :)

knitmachinequeen (KMQ) said...

As usual, your jacket is fabulous!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous job you did on this jacket. This can be so hard to do and you've done a great job in balancing the various shades of denim. A true work of art!

BCN - UNIQUE designer patterns said...

that idea !!!... the result is magnificent. I remember long ago, I made a jacket for my sister, using remnants of other garments. as it was in my early sewing, so the result was not too good .... uhmmm.

good weekend

Paco

Jean said...

What a wonderful jacket! The applique is stunning, and what a great idea for using denim in such a creative way --- really successful. Maybe I'll actually do something with all of my old jeans that are just stacked up in my closet!

Anonymous said...

A very accomplished jacket!! And I am in awe of anyone who makes their own jeans!

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