Sew Recent

I haven't listed any new items in my shop for quite some time. That's because I'm focused on embellishing clothing right now. In my experience, clothing doesn't sell well on Etsy. My wearable items get loads of hearts, but it's understandable that people want to try clothing on and see how it feels and looks.

At the StrangeFolk craft fair this fall, the first tree branch jacket I made was my most admired item. It was displayed prominently and drew people to my tent The jacket sold within hours. Before the delighted and adorable shopper who was exactly the right size, a dozen people tried it on and asked if I had more. At the time, I did not. Next time I will.

The first blazer pictured is from Maurice's and has a batik tree skeleton on the back. I chose to leave the front of this one untouched.

Next, is a decade's old menswear corduroy jacket with lapel and back panel embellishments constructed from a log cabin flannel print quilter's fabric.
I'm not sure how well men's jackets will sell, but I plan to have a few ready just in case. I fear the lapel diamond feminizes it, but who knows-- perhaps a fair lady will choose to buy and wear the jacket.
The last pictures are of a ladies J. Crew pant suit with a calico tree and leaf applique.
The pants were too hard to put on the dress form, but they match and prove a slimming combination.
I've got eleven more clothing items to match up with appliques (doves are coming up next) and then I'll have to shop for more. It's a great mix of labor and pleasure, this project!

Thrift Shopping

Thrifting has emerged as a point of pride for many shoppers. It used to be that the stock rotated slowly, and gems could be had for a quarter. Over the past couple of decades, prices for used goods have risen along with the overall quality of goods offered second-hand. Lately, when I drive past any of my favorite shopping haunts for used merchandise, the parking lots are full and cars are illegally parked nearby.

While this is a welcome sight for the sore eyes of an environmentalist, it brings with it some proprietary sorrow. I'm not used to competing for a place to park at establishments like Goodwill. Instead of reacting to this sight with camaraderie, I mainly stay away, leaving the bargains for those who need them more.

Today, however, I treated myself to a five dollar spurge at a lesser-known store called the Treasure Shop and picked out some brand new office supplies, as well as three suit jackets to embelish/upcycle. The prices were reminiscent of 1991, and for bringing my own shopping bag, the kind lady at the register knocked $1.50 off my total!

I am inspired to design some great appliques for these sport coats. Since discovering what a popular item this jacket was at the Strange Folk Festival, I've been collecting used, brand-name women's jackets to re-make, and will also experiment with a few menswear items for next fall.

Tree Hugger Applique Jacket

I embellished this great corduroy jacket with an applique block on the lapel, and a rockin' tree on the back.
This was one of those projects that had me squealing like a giddy child as I worked because it was turning out just as I imagined it would.
It took an hour and a half to draw the design and sew it on, during which time I became convinced of the need to raise my sewing table a few more inches. I have since stuck cans of tomato sauce under each leg of the table to prevent my posture from further stoop-damage.