The ragged jacket: some people love them; others don't. But if ever there was a perfect jacket for our friend, this one was exactly the right one. She has touched it and exclaimed over the softness. The colors are soft and gentle on the senses, just as she is. The lace, the homespun fabric: all suits her perfectly. Somehow, the jacket seems to embody everything she is. And she loves it.
When Judy said that she wanted to make a ragged jacket for the box, I really didn't know what she was talking about; but I loved the fabrics she selected for the piecework and I looked forward to seeing whatever Judy made with them. She kept saying that she didn't know anything about cutting out and sewing a jacket and so I told her to piece me some "fabric" and I would show her how to make a jacket.
She brought the pieced fabric to my house; and as we sat and I showed her how to cut out the simple pieces, we talked and drank iced tea, and listened to music and had a wonderful time together. Isn't that what sewing is so often about: good friends sharing something they love.
The jacket had been made from fat quarters and there wasn't a piece of fabric from which to cut sleeves; but I had an idea that we didn't want plain sleeves anyway and suggested the insertion of heavy cotton lace in the sleeves in order to stretch the fabric. Besides, the sleeves needed the pieced look also. And that is what we did that afternoon, even buying narrow cotton lace to add at the collar and at the wrists. Somehow, lace at the wrists was going to look so perfect for her as she wore the jacket.
While I made the collar and the sleeves at my house, Judy was clipping seam allowances. I cannot imagine the work and the effort that took; but she did a beautiful job of it; and after the jacket body was washed, what a lovely, soft jacket the ragged seams made.
Everyone who came by had to touch the jacket. I don't know whether it was the very soft fabric that Judy chose or the ragged seams, but the jacket drew everyone to touch it. And its owner says it is so soft and so comfortable that she really enjoys wearing it often.
I think that all of us like to own something to wear that makes us feel good, feel as if we are wrapped up in warmth and love. I think that this jacket is just that for her and I know that she will wear it for many years. And if ever a garment was the perfect garment for its wearer, I believe that this jacket is the perfect jacket for our friend.
When Judy said that she wanted to make a ragged jacket for the box, I really didn't know what she was talking about; but I loved the fabrics she selected for the piecework and I looked forward to seeing whatever Judy made with them. She kept saying that she didn't know anything about cutting out and sewing a jacket and so I told her to piece me some "fabric" and I would show her how to make a jacket.
She brought the pieced fabric to my house; and as we sat and I showed her how to cut out the simple pieces, we talked and drank iced tea, and listened to music and had a wonderful time together. Isn't that what sewing is so often about: good friends sharing something they love.
The jacket had been made from fat quarters and there wasn't a piece of fabric from which to cut sleeves; but I had an idea that we didn't want plain sleeves anyway and suggested the insertion of heavy cotton lace in the sleeves in order to stretch the fabric. Besides, the sleeves needed the pieced look also. And that is what we did that afternoon, even buying narrow cotton lace to add at the collar and at the wrists. Somehow, lace at the wrists was going to look so perfect for her as she wore the jacket.
While I made the collar and the sleeves at my house, Judy was clipping seam allowances. I cannot imagine the work and the effort that took; but she did a beautiful job of it; and after the jacket body was washed, what a lovely, soft jacket the ragged seams made.
Everyone who came by had to touch the jacket. I don't know whether it was the very soft fabric that Judy chose or the ragged seams, but the jacket drew everyone to touch it. And its owner says it is so soft and so comfortable that she really enjoys wearing it often.
I think that all of us like to own something to wear that makes us feel good, feel as if we are wrapped up in warmth and love. I think that this jacket is just that for her and I know that she will wear it for many years. And if ever a garment was the perfect garment for its wearer, I believe that this jacket is the perfect jacket for our friend.
