Since Wednesday I have been working on a new jacket using the felt tweed technique Galina posted a link to on the Forum, after making a couple of samples last week, I dove in, designing a template from an old coat. Even using dress-making paper, it was a struggle to get the expanded template to fit on the sheet.
Laying out 2 layers of merino over a resist for the torso:
Adding the yarns, this was quite a challenge, especially when I came to flip it over and had all the long lengths from the back, that would be used to decorate the front, got into a bit of a tangled mess. After some patient de-tangling it all came good in the end…
The sleeves were somewhat easier (no resist involved).
And the (nearly) finished jacket, all sewn up. It just needs a couple of buttons (nothing in my button tin suits this jacket) and possibly straightening the bottom edge; currently the front right hand side (left hand side of the photo) hangs slightly lower than the left. What do you think? Asymmetrical clothing appears to be back in fashion but I’m not sure this qualifies, does it just look a bit untidy?
Given that all the yarns I used were synthetic (mostly acrylic) I was impressed by how well they embedded into the felt, there a just a handful of small loops that I will stitch down by hand.
A close up of all the lovely textures!
Great job Teri. I love how the tweedy pattern came out although the mess of yarns in the middle of turning over sounds like a nightmare. I am not really a big fan of the asymmetrical clothing fad anyways. And when I think of tweed, I think more traditional so I think making it straight would be a better idea.
Thanks Ruth, the yarns did test my patience (I don’t have much!) 🙂 I am erring towards straightening up the lower edge, I don’t think the difference in length is enough to make it look like a deliberate asymmetry.
Wow! What a fabulous tweedy jacket and gorgeous colours. Lot of hard work too! Asymmetrical is a great look but if you’re not sure whether or not you want to straighten one side, attach all the buttons then have another think.
Thanks Lyn, as much as l liked my orange sample, it wouldn’t really go with anything else in my wardrobe… purple however… 🙂
Great job Teri! I didn’t expect you being so quick! Congratulation on the your new jacket! I like the colours and the tweedy effect Is very impressive. Could you give some indication on weight of the wool and the length of the yarn used? Just approx.?
Thanks Galina, once I get a bee in my bonnet there’s no stopping me! Even though I calculated from my sample and weighed out my wool for this one, I was very naughty and changed my mind as I started laying out the second layer so all my calculations went out the window. The finished jacket weighs 450g but that includes the yarns which I estimate to be between 25-30% of the jacket’s weight. As for the yarn, they were all small left over balls from other projects, I used 5 balls that would comfortably sit in the palm of my hand, sorry not very scientific!
Terrific Teri! The patience of a saint to create such an intricate design, but it was worth the effort.
Thanks Marilyn, not sure I can call myself patient but definitely stubborn! Either way they both end up at the same place! 🙂
Fantastic!? Am also amazed at the speediness of making samples to (practically) completed jacket! Really love the colours, and interesting how the synthetic yarns felted in so well.
Thanks Cath, this has proved to be a fantastic way to use up all those leftover yarns from other projects, even the synthetic and super-wash yarns. Once I get excited about a project there’s no stopping me! 🙂
Hi Terri,
Very nice. I think straightening the hem- it has to be very deliberate asymmetrical to “work” I love seeing other artists’ process.
Carmen
Thank you Carmen, I agree, the asymmetrical look needs be applied with enthusiasm or else it just looks like a mistake! Off with the hem!! 🙂