A Coat of Many Colours

Welcome to the blog!

Why am I suddenly blogging you may ask? Well sometimes I just want to share what I am doing with a creative community. Anyone that knows me knows that I hate sewing these days. The sewing hobby started when I was a kid and back then I loved it. I was always chopping things up and refashioning things. I loved sewing for many years.

Now to be honest I am just bored with my personal style. It feels very pedestrian, so I am trying to reignite my sewing passion. I am a natural show off, its true. I love wearing something unique that I know no one else has. I love making couture.

Its been chilly on the Gold Coast this past month. To those who don't live on the GC (sorry you about that). It's the most beautiful place in the world but for few weeks each year it gets cold. I decided I needed a fabulous jacket to see me through the colder days and nights.

When I was in Thailand last year I bought some beautiful silk scarfs that I just love. The shape of the scarf is all important to me, I like the long rectangle shape. These silk scarfs are a square shape so I knew when I bought them I probably was going to struggle styling them. They were so beautiful though I had to have them. For the past few months now I have been thinking I would cut them into something. Then inspiration hit!

I would use them for lining a velvet jacket. So off I went to spotlight in search of velvet and wouldn't you know it, spotlight actually turned on the goods. I found a stunning roll of deep rich turquoise velvet. I then headed to the trims department for a little pizazz. I came away a bit disillusioned with what was on offer so headed over to the embroidery thread and stocked up on few more colour options.

What you need to know at this point is, when I create for myself I am beyond lazy and if there is a short cut you can be sure I am going to take it! So I dispensed with all need of a pattern and drafted directly on to the fabric. It was a little tricky with velvet but I made it work. I then used the velvet pieces to lay on the silk scarfs to cut the lining. When I am making garments I design on the flow. I like to drape and match threads and trims and see where I end up. I don't have a solid plan at the beginning. I like the inspiration to take hold and just roll with it and see where I end up.

I decided the silk lining was way to beautiful to be hidden so I did a little flip cuff. I really love this feature of the jacket. I have held it in place with some stitches. I am currently obsessed with sashiko. If you aren't familiar with sashiko its a Japanese art of mending (usually denim) with stitches. I realise that my sashiko is not traditional or really anything like sashiko its my creative interpretation.

Not content with how the jacket was looking I decided the butterflies on the silk scarf really needed there own homage paid. I would have liked to cut around the butterfly wings and then stitched the edges. The silk was so delicate though it frayed very easily and I was afraid I would loose the butterflies to unravelling threads. This time I decided to make them like a patch and frame them with some stitches. Now I know my stitching is a little rough. To all the brilliant hand stitches out there I pay respect to you. I like to roll with the thought that art isn't perfect its a passion.

I really could have kept going with the stitches on this jacket. I am crushing on it big time. However time constraints put a stop to the creativity and it was time to pop the jacket on and head out for dinner with the ladies.

I'm pleased to say all my hard work paid off, I made a grand entrance at the restaurant and my jacket was the talk of the table.

Tell me what you think?