May 30, 2019

This project started as handwoven cloth woven in plain weave on an indigo cotton double knitting warp. I used strips of recycled denim jeans as weft, gently tapping each into place and then anchoring them with a few shots of the indigo cotton dk.

Before wet finishing the entire yardage was backed with a featherweight, fusible, knit interfacing.

The handwoven cloth, after wet finishing, was 20” wide. I cut the cloth into 4 equal sized lengths. One length became the back, 2 became the front. The individual fronts are as wide as the back but they overlap a a lot in the front. The “side” seam is thrown a little further to the back than is usual in a jacket. The final panel was cut in half across the length to make the two sleeves.

I always need somewhere to put my hands and to stuff car keys or a cell phone, so I decided it was worth the time and trouble to create bound pockets even though this is a new technique and I had to research thoroughly how to go about doing that! I practiced first on a piece of muslin. I also was very careful to get them at exactly the right height, angle, and size to be wonderfully comfortable to use.

As this was a special “upcycle” project I chose to create the lining from a secondhand polyester bedsheet picked up at Value Village. You’d think polyester would be horrid, but this particular one has a lovely “hand” to it. It feels like it has a “peached” finish to it and it doesn’t feel plasticy or synthetic at all. In fact if feels like a hybrid of fine velvet and silk. It feel much higher quality than the actual linings I’ve bought in the past.

I’m entering the jacket at the 2019 ANWG Conference being held in Prince George, BC, where the theme is “Confluence” and the organizers are encouraging entrants to combine other talents and interests with their weaving. I’ve chosen to combine my interest in recycling, weaving, sewing, embroidery, and sashiko (a Japanese form of running stitch embroidery). To this end I have embroidered the fronts of the lining with “long and short stitch” marigold flowers on a background of Sashiko stitches in the Higaki (Cypress Fence) pattern. The fronts fold back to form lapel like areas where the embroidery on the lining is showcased.

I’m thrilled with the way this project has turned out. It is not perfect, there are flaws, but I still think it is beautiful. It is also an extremely comfortable and comforting jacket to wear. I love it!

May 31, 2019

This coat/jacket was made using the complete yardage woven in December of 2016. More details on that on my “Denim Recycling” project page.

August 9, 2019

Entered “What Rubbish” in the 2019 Chilliwack Exhibition and won a first place ribbon and also “Best in Show”.

July 13, 2019

Entered “What Rubbish” at ANWG 2019 and won three awards.
“Other Techniques, Best in Show”
“Recycled Yarn(s)/Fabric(s)”
“Other Techniques, “People’s Choice”