Many moons ago I created this jacket and put in my own label. I had been inspired by a columnist for the New York Times who traveled and wrote on the world of fashion. Her name escapes my memory, but a photo of her in a petal jacket (my name for this) still arouses the visual recollection of this piece. Hers was a cascading extravagance of silk feathers/petals, soft yet sculptural, and exotic beyond words. I could not afford the silk taffeta, too many yards I calculated, so I chose its imitation, a poly taffeta. I made a scallop pattern and sewed rows upon rows turning each petal out and then sewing the rows to the shaped front, back, and sleeves.
I never liked the results, but never had the courage to toss it because of the time spent creating this oddity. I think it might have turned out a little better had I used that very sculptural but soft silk taffeta. I justify the experience as one for learning and another for venturing into unknown territory, not knowing if it would be a success or a failure. I measure it somewhere in the middle, but it will be one article of clothing that will always be the useless thing that hangs in my closet somewhere in my life.
I think it would have been more interesting had the shape been elongated and sharp, but more difficult to turn. Silk taffeta would have been a necessity for this sharper design. As I write I have to laugh. Now the whole idea seems so silly, but not everything that feeds our imagination has to be serious. Much rather have the whimsical than the dire.
I have a boiled wool jacket that I made that hangs in my closet, worn only once. I love the way it feels, but it doesn’t look very flattering. Too embellished, too something. I keep thinking someday I’ll do something to it that will make it work.
Your comments sparked an idea. What fun it would be to all meet, many creative women (and men) with our creative rejects and trade them for updates and then return to discover how new insights had transformed them. I often think we are too hard on ourselves.
now i see some real “closet” stories over here! this is great, even if it is because of your story here. i love it actually. a petal quilt would be very cool.
Petal quilt…that would be luxurious in very soft cottons, Liberty?
Mant of my whimsies were sent on their way to Goodwill. Fortunately, I never spied anyone wearing them. I am sure that I would have squirmed.
However, your jacket is very interesting, it looks like it would drape well, I see it with a long slinky dress underneath.
Many of my “designs” went to Goodwill too. I am sure this one will too someday, but not donated by me!
Oh, I love this jacket! I can see it with black velvet pants at a chic art gallery opening. (sigh) It really is lovely!
(hey)Jude
Thank you for your generous compliment. I can see the look. It definitely would need a reason to go somewhere as the grocery store or Target simply would not do. I have a feeling it will be living its life in my closet.
I love it Phyllis! As a piece of art just the way it is. I think I’d hang it on a lovely hanger on one of my walls. Much too beautiful to disgard even if you never wear it!
I like your idea…hanging on a wall. I love different kinds of wall art and like to rotate things. Thank you for such nice comments.
It’s easy to compliment something so lovely. Not everything we make or do turns out to be right for the purpose we thought we were making it for. This is a lovely piece of art!
I like it too – without knowing your inspiration, it looks to me like a dragon coat, or a fish coat, with many lovely shiny scales (or the little crocodile, improving his shining scales). I agree that wearing it would be difficult, but hanging it on the wall would be inspiring.
I like your interpretation of this jacket. Scales. I think this image is the closest to my original vision. Funny, but at the time I was more concerned with duplicating an image seen rather than envisioning an original interpretation. Your vision prompts questioning…how could this be used in another form?
I can see someone wearing this at an artist’s reception. or hanging on the wall as art. (Or on the runway!) The sewing, from what I can see in the photos, looks very very good, and it is so difficult to keep an even line on small curves!! Well done and beautiful.
Thank you for your generous comment. The piece has been hanging in a closet for years now. Maybe I should take it out and put it on an old dressmaker’s form. I doubt I would ever wear it because I like being the wallflower and not drawing attention to myself.
I know I saw something like this in a shop in Miles City,Mt. They were sleeveless shells but so lovely. Naturally, they were in size 000 and made for young 20ish women but I thought they were fabulous and if I were back in time I would have gotten several. I think your jacket is elegant, soft and feminine and you should wear it to Target with lovely jeans! Why not, I say!
That visual of me wearing this jacket into Target seems pretty funny, but why not? Thanks for coming by and sending such nice compliments.