Linen Jacket Rescue

I have been finding many wonderful items for re-purposing of late , at local thrift shops and the Goodwill.

I found this great 100% linen jacket recently but inn my opinion it had very "unfortunate pockets."  Sometimes I just have to wonder," What were the designers thinking ????"

This jacket has great simple lines and a timeless style. Why, oh why would one consider plopping a country themed print on the pockets???No matter, my treasure now!!!  I paid 3.49 for it and came back home to plan  a re-make, rescue!!

Very unfortunate pockets don't you think????

So I set to work using strips and scraps of my hand dyed fabrics and many of my sun printed bits to create this strip pieced fabric a la Rayna Gillman !  Her wonderful book Create Your Own Free Form Quilts: A Stress Free Journey to Original Design has been such an inspiration to me and I can't recommend the book and her wonderful methods highly enough!!

I did add a few batiks form my scrap bin and a few Black and White prints to make all the colors pop, but the rest are my won hand dyed and sun printed fabrics.  Then I had to cut the piece up!!  Not easy, but I steeled myself  and cut away, to create pockets and two decorative accent panels for the jacket front and back.

The jacket front!

The jacket back! 

 After a good press and a few photos , I packed the rescued piece up and sent it off to my mom in MA.  She is recovering from a heart attack and hopefully this will put a bit of a spring in her step as she returns to her beloved Knitting group and volunteer endeavors.  Everyone loves to sport a new original piece of arty clothing don't you think!  I know that this will look smashing on her and she will be so jazzed about the fact that it is a recycled remake!!

Purple Royalty- A gift.

 I have just completed this bracelet that I call Purple Royalty for my wonderful sister in law,

Elise Jensen.  Elise has just returned home to her family from 2 years spent in Afghanistan working on women's education and health issues for USAID.

 This piece has many fresh water pearls, amethyst stones and vintage Czech glass beads.

 The toggle closure was made using a vintage gold tone metal button with a beaded loop.

 In August the family will be moving to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Elise will continue to work with the US State Department and USAID on women's health and education issues.  My niece Kate, will attend school in the 10th grade and my brother Peter will continue his work with Peace Corps and teaching intensive gardening techniques. I have written several posts about my brothers wonderful work and you can learn more, if you are interested, here and here.

I am so very blessed to have such an amazing family. I hope that when Elise wears this piece, she will know of my admiration , love and profound respect!!