Saturday, August 16, 2008

Drumroll, please . . .


Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the completed Chanel jacket?

Last night I sewed the last button on top of the last covered snap and did some final pressing. Earlier, I had thought that would be all, but it struck me that some kind of trim along the seam between the jacket and the lining would make it look really finished. So on Tuesday I had jury duty, and aferward I went down to 4th Street to the fabric stores to look for trim. Nada. Zip. Nothing. If I wanted to look like grandma's favorite chair, no problem. If I wanted to glitter, sparkle or walk down the aisle - they had it all. But a simple, narrow green braid? Pfffft.

Yesterday at lunch I walked down to my local store, knowing that they would have absolutely nothing, and while they pretty much met that expectation, they did at least have some satin rat-tail cord in the right shade of green, so I bougth a few yards of that, pressed it flat, and hand-stitched it along the seam last night while watching TV. (It's nice every once in a while to bring some sewing into the living room so that Mario knows I still live here).

That being done, I pressed some more, and here's the jacket, resting comfortably on Evelyn after all my labors. There will be photographs of the jacket on me, I promise, but not in my current, ratty-haired, thread-covered state. And preferably wearing something other than camo shorts and a tank top underneath. Though a nice jacket can make almost everything look better.

Maybe not that, though.

After having wrestled with covered button, covering the snaps wasn't hard to do, and the look was exactly what I wanted. I might not want to try this with little bitty snaps, my patience not always being what I think it is, but with these big babies, it was really ... a snap. Sorry. I had to.

I think my favorite part of this jacket, aside from the fabric, the lining fabric and the buttons, is the collar. It's the most vintage-looking part of the jacket to me, it's really flattering on, and it's just different from anything else I have.

All in all, I'm really happy with this. It's been a good few weeks of work, and there's nothing better than being happy with the result of work that has engaged you this much.

A friend asked me by email the other day, "How many jackets can you possibly need? Why would you ever want to make another one?" Funny, because it's not like she's not creative herself; she's a painter. I asked her if she'd never paint again if she ran out of wall space and she said, "Of course I would. It's my art."

There you go; one person's art goes on the wall, another person's art goes in her closet. Who's to say which one is better? I think for both of us it's really as much about the process as the result, she just doesn't see my finished product as valid in the same way as a painting or a piece of sculpture, whereas I think that if you put your efforts, thoughts, creativity, work and, occasionally, blood into a project, it's art if you want to call it that.

Can you tell she made me a little grumpy?

19 comments:

Maryissewfast said...

Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! And I agree, sewing is an art form to me, just as much as when I paint a picture. We paint with needle and thread! Mary

KayB said...

I really like the shape of the jacket and I agree with you, the collar gives it a vintage touch, it's gorgeous!

Meg said...

Fabulous! I am dying to see photos of this jacket on you. It's perfect for fall. And yes, you can never have too many jackets.

Janene said...

This is really a wonderful jacket. I can imagine it being worn with a host of other garments in your closet this fall.

Vildy said...

You're right, I never see collars like that anymore and you would think they'd bring it back - it seems immensely flattering.

-E said...

I think you're a great artist :)

Dawn said...

It's beautiful!!!!!!!!!! Pictures of you wearing it please!!

MarilynB said...

Your jacket is perfection, both inside and outside. I'm sure you will have a big smile on your face every time you wear it.

Vicki said...

What a great job you have done. Good enough to sit proudly on a manequin in the front entrance of your house - just as beautiful as any other piece of art!! But then again, wearing it might be more fun!

Connie B said...

BBBBBBBeautiful! Love the vinage feel, and the lining is perfect! Introducing the Artist known as Karen!

Cathy said...

It's beautiful, Karen. The colors are so sumptuous. Enjoy--

Rose said...

Wow! Your jacket is a beauty!! I love everything - the colors, the workmanship, the finishing touches. It definitely is a work of art!

melanie ajumma said...

I would love to be able to paint, but I would much rather be able to make unique, one-of-a-kind, wearable pieces of art! You can't wear a painting.

Melissa Fehr Trade said...

Fabulous! I love the extra little detail that gives to the facing/lining seam, too. I'm so going to try and remember to do that on my in-progress winter coat. Beautiful work on this!

Lisette M said...

Beautiful jacket Karen! Totally worth all the extra work.

Lisette M said...

Beautiful jacket Karen! Totally worth all the extra work.

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

That is sensational! I really love the buttons. It's going to be a stylish fall in Philly!

DanainDFW said...

I agree - the collar is great. Bravo... good job!

Tany said...

It's far beyon beautiful! I love the collar too! The jacket is perfect!