Someone else is going to be the new owner of this coat in about an hour, but I wanted to make a post for the Airbender coat before it goes into her hands, so I threw it on to snap a few more pictures before packing it up.
This was made almost four years ago to put on display at Fabricland, where I was employed for five years. Mom helped a LOT, because at the time I had no clue how to do liners. It was made from a commercial pattern, as we weren’t allowed to make our own patterns, but if I was gonna use a commercial pattern, I was gonna make it my own in some way. So I picked out some beautiful rusty orange wool and a yellow for the cuffs and inner collar, and some beautiful bemberg lining and brown buttons. The orange brightens beautifully in broad daylight, but is never garish. I put the Airbender logo on the back, and I left the edges raw for the aesthetic value. It turned out freaking awesome, if I do say so myself. The three-quarter sleeves can roll up to have yellow cuffs, and in the fall it looks awesome with elbow-length black gloves, or a long-sleeved shirt. A second one was made for my sister, this time in red and lined with black plaid with no decoration on the back.
But I never wore it. I tried it on, displayed it, and then put it in my closet, where it would stay safe.
I loved this coat so much I couldn’t bring myself to wear it. People offered to buy it off me numerous times over the years but I just couldn’t bring myself to. Until now, anyway –– I really don’t want it to sit in my closet in a protective bag for all of eternity. I want someone who would love it until it looks well-loved. According to Christine, Vivienne Westwood thinks her clothes only get better with age because it shows how much they’re loved. If that’s the bar we’re going by, I clearly haven’t been doing it right, haha.
Anyway, I’ve long been interested in making “nerd clothes” that aren’t just t-shirts with logos or whatever. Things you could wear that are fashionable and trendy or whatever without screaming “I’M A HUGE GODDAMN NERD.” Subtle and awesome. However, this idea clashes horribly with the fact that I don’t like making normal clothing. Every once in a while I’ll get the urge, but for the most part, I like sewing things that couldn’t typically be worn on an everyday basis. If I did like sewing normal clothes, I would probably have an Etsy shop selling beautiful “fashionable nerd” stuff all the time.
But there you have it. The Airbender coat!
I hope she really really really loves it, and rocks it in a way I never could :)
- Jenn
