Since knitmeapony asked: Here's my ribbon coat

[pegkerr]

Click on each picture to see them close up. This coat is made by starting with a pretty standard plain denim jacket from The Gap and sewing antique ribbons all over it, along with other findings: buttons, hanging beaded tassels at the shoulders, patches, etc. (kijjohnson was the one who taught me how to do this). I have been working on this jacket for a number of years, but I still have more ribbons to add. It always garners admiring glances whenever I wear it.

Ribbon Coat: Front

Ribbon Coat: Front Detail

Ribbon coat front

Ribbon Coat: Back The ribbon on the top of the center back has not yet been sewn on.

Ribbon Coat: Back detail With a close up of an antique French ribbon made from a copy of a portion of the Bayeux tapestry.

Comments

[kchew.livejournal.com]

That is very very pretty. I've always wanted to make a ribbon coat, but the choice of antique ribbon was something that never crossed my mind to use (on my own imaginary coat).

Very shiny!

[brigidsblest.livejournal.com]

I did something mildly similar a few years back with my favorite worn black denim jacket. My favorite tie-dye shirt had developed cancer of the sleeves, thanks to a laundry dryer that liked to chew on things, so I very carefully measured, outlined, and cut out a piece of the shirt that exactly fit the back panel of the coat and sewed it on.

(http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/BrigidsBlest/?action=view&current=jacket2.jpg)

The front was decorated with buttons (at one time, over a hundred of them, although only about a dozen now) and worn-out friendship bracelets.

(http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/BrigidsBlest/?action=view&current=jacket1.jpg)

I really like your coat. I think more people should be creative like that with what they wear, rather than just glomming on to the latest stupid trend.

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

It's lovely to see it again. I've been turning over ribbons in my mind for the next one.

[aome.livejournal.com]

I can certainly see why you would gain admiration for it! It's beautiful! Where do you find antique ribbon?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

At a variety of fabric stores or craft stores which carry antique ribbon. You sometimes have to hunt around quite a bit, but that's part of what makes the project fun. Kij has one she's adding to, too, so she knows where to go to find all the good ribbon stores.

[owldaughter.livejournal.com]

Peg, this is gorgeous -- I love the idea! And that Bayeux tapestry ribbon is absolutely lovely. Where did you find it?

[splagxna.livejournal.com]

here are several different varieties of that trim.

[owldaughter.livejournal.com]

The entire site is a fantastic resource. Thank you so much!

[splagxna.livejournal.com]

no problem!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

The Bayeux tapestry piece was a actually a gift from elisem, and it was what started the entire project. She gave it to me, and I showed it to Kij and said, "It's so beautiful, but I have no idea what to do with it." And she said, "You can make a ribbon coat" and showed me hers. I got fired up with enthusiasm and got started right away.

To really do an art jacket properly, you should get the jacket from a used clothing store. I was too impatient to comb through lots of used clothing stores, waiting for the right jacket to fall serendipitously into my hands, so I cheated and bought mine new at the Gap. *hangs head in shame*

[owldaughter.livejournal.com]

When I saw it I immediately thought, "I should start looking for the perfect pattern to make a coat and do this too!" Because you know, I have so much spare time in which to do something like that. *facepalm*

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

Makes me think of my old demin jacket. It's somewhat covered with travel patches, yellow and pink wool yarn that I'd used to patch areas, and an Apollow 11 mission patch. I've been meaning to get it out of the closet and hang it on the wall where it can be appreciated.

Sure as hell, though, I'm gonna photograph it.

Loved the Bayeux tapestry snip. It's so you.