Here is the jacket that I made from my well-loved dress + a jumpsuit that wasn't going to get worn. The process of making this jacket truly felt like slow fashion. I used a pattern from the 80s (probably more for nostalgic reasons than for functional ones) + tried to update the fit just a bit. Suiting from the 80s was often angular, like a triangle pointing down. Shoulder pads in combination with tapered side seams made the desired silhouette. Well...it's not the 80s anymore, so I left the shoulder pads out, removed the tapering at the sides, and also sized down quite a bit.
Butterick 5843
Getting the pattern pieces to fit on my existing bits of fabric was a creative challenge. There are only a few tiny pieces left over though, so I am happy about the lack of waste. The result of using much washed fabric + newer fabric together results in a somewhat patchy look that I love. I was able to line the jacket with a lovely Japanese linen cotton stripe that I already had. I didn't have enough of it to make the stripes match, but I'm not the least bit worried about that. :) Without the shoulder pads I hope it's simply an oversized, unstructured jacket. I think that the shoulders will just relax nicely with wear.
A little slow fashion detail that I added was hand stitching around the edges with navy embroidery floss. I'm thinking of adding more stitching...just like quilting lines here and there as time goes on. I love the idea of an evolving piece of clothing...just being more and more loved as time goes on. I think that this shape lends itself to becoming a classic that can be worn for years to come.
At the moment, I'm leaving the front without closures. I think a long, thin belt made from pieced together leftovers would be great wrapped around a couple of times + tied slightly off center. If at some point I want to add buttons, that can be done too.
I really feel like this is a successful slow fashion...almost zero-waste project. Yay! :)
Love, Jane :)
A little slow fashion detail that I added was hand stitching around the edges with navy embroidery floss. I'm thinking of adding more stitching...just like quilting lines here and there as time goes on. I love the idea of an evolving piece of clothing...just being more and more loved as time goes on. I think that this shape lends itself to becoming a classic that can be worn for years to come.
At the moment, I'm leaving the front without closures. I think a long, thin belt made from pieced together leftovers would be great wrapped around a couple of times + tied slightly off center. If at some point I want to add buttons, that can be done too.
I really feel like this is a successful slow fashion...almost zero-waste project. Yay! :)
Love, Jane :)
