Thursday, September 13, 2012

That's 70s Couch

When I recently wrote about sewing and swearing, I got a comment from Melissa which struck a little too close to home.  She said, I can't look at that boucle without seeing a scratchy 1970s couch!"  

That was a thought I'd been trying very hard not to think right then, but after hearing someone beside me say it, it was impossible to ignore.


It was the orange boucle elephant in the room.  Which may be why it took me more than 3 weeks to make a jacket which I've made once before (successfully) and in less than a week.

There's nothing overtly wrong with it.  The fit is fine, the fabric (when I'm not thinking upholstery) is beautiful.  The boucle is soft and fuzzy and all things that boucle should be.  The lining is chocolate brown silk charmeuse.


And I feel like it should be sitting in my mother-in-law's paneled den, with a couple of throw pillows and maybe an end table with some glass paperweights alongside.

It's going in the closet to rest for a while, in the hope that those images fade and by the time fall starts in earnest I'll be ready to wear this most autumnal looking jacket.

Think autumn.  Think fall.  Think October, falling leaves, the scent of someone's fireplace in the air, brisk mornings, chilly evenings . . .

sitting on the scratchy orange couch in the den.

Damn.  It almost worked.

Next up, a pair of jeans for Mario.  It shouldn't be a bad project.  I've made jeans for me, and shorts for him.  I should be able to combine those two skills and turnout a respectable pair of pants, but we'll have to see.  It's amazing what one unsatisfactory project can do to your mojo.

The KwikSew cowl did make me feel better.  Maybe I need one more pick-me-up project before I commit to the denim.

Matter of fact, I think I hear Vogue 1250 calling my name.  Again.

One more quick knit dress and then the jeans, I promise.


19 comments:

velosews said...

Great jacket. This would also work with jeans for yourself too.

Kimbersew said...

This jacket is gorgeous. It is what the scratchy orange couch wanted to be and failed.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Personally I think a great pair of brown pants or skirt with a brown turtleneck or tee and some boots will knock that image right out of your head! It's a beautiful jacket!

melissa said...

oh no oh no oh no! I'm sorry, if I'd known it would taint the jacket I would've never said it! It was just a joke comment! :( I'm glad to hear the boucle is lovely and soft in real life though, and this is going to be very nice and warm in winter, too. I really love seeing boucle in jacket shapes OTHER than the usual boxy Chanel jacket, so I really hope we get to see it modelled on you at some point!

Nancy K said...

I agree with Caroline. The right styling will take it out of the couch look, but honestly, until you said it didn't cross my mind. Chocolate brown will be gorgeous with this.

renee said...

I love the colors and it doesn't remind me of a couch at all. Maybe a closet time out for the jacket and a new project for you will make it look different in a few weeks. I hope so!

KC said...

I think the fabric is beautiful and the jacket looks great. Anyway look on the bright side: the number of people who remember the '70s dwindles every day!

judidarling said...

I fell in love with this fabric as soon as you showed it to us. It's soft and so beautifully works with your coloring. Get all snarky couch thoughts out of your mind--this jacket is a keeper. I predict it will become a classic go to piece--with jeans, with a coppery satin dinner dress...hubba, hubba!

Clio said...

After a time out I think you will like it more. But if that thought is in your head, then I'd say run with it and own it. It's a great jacket.

SD Cunni Designs said...

Love your jacket...I like everything fall so it looks great to me.

Lorinda said...

I think it looks great.I hope the closet will season it nicely for you. Do you have trouble with boucle unraveling? I have had a jacket to make, for some time now, but I think I may have to serge an underlining directly to the fabric as soon as I cut it out to prevent it from unraveling before I get it put together.

Maybe you could post some how-to hints for working with loose weave fabrics. Like how you finish the raw edges etc.

Anyway, you did a great job and it will look beautiful when you decide it is time to wear it.

Kay said...

oh no! what a gorgeous jacket!! its not fair to hide it away in a closet..

I can totally see it with skinny jeans or brown corduroy pencil skirt and knee length boots!



The Slapdash Sewist said...

Aw, dang, I hate it when that happens! I think the jacket is lovely on its own. I think you should inaugurate it with a sleek LBD--that would not be 70s at all.

Anonymous said...

Hey, if it makes you feel any better our 70's couch was green!! So your jacket doesn't make me think of couches at all! I see wonderful fall leaves when I look at it. And a huge amount of skill.

Pat :)

Marjie said...

You'll probably feel better about the jacket in October. It's really pretty. But the V1250 always has allure; I'm in the middle of an experimental version of one, just to see if I can make a variation that's almost as good as the original!

Elaray said...

The jacket is beautiful! I love fall colors. I'm sure once you wear the jacket and get compliments, the couch image will leave your head.

eric said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Virginia at A Sewing Life said...

You are so right. Sadly, this jacket looks like a vintage couch. You wouldn't want to go around wearing a beautifully fitted and finished couch, now would you? So I suggest you pack this jacket/sofa into a snug little envelope and send it off to me. I have so little shame that I would be ecstatic to wear a scratchy couch.

But really, it's awesome, and couldn't we always come up with some disturbing association for just about any garment?

Anonymous said...

I love it!!