Plastic Bag Jacket

comments (0) February 7th, 2010 in gallery     

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This Western interpretation of a traditional Japanese Hapi coat was inspired by the plethora
of plastic shopping bags that fill our landfills, blow across our streets, and waste our limited petroleum resources.
 
I fused plastic bags together to make a base fabric, and then ‘appliqued’ fused aspen and pine trees, mountain ranges, grass (left partially unfused for 3-dimensional
 interest) and bushes, rivers, and the glorious scenery of the Rocky Mountains, unspoiled by pollution.  This is the ultimate ‘green’ garment.  
 
Whimsical details were added with cotton fabric cutouts which were fused on – hot air balloons which are so popular in the mountain updrafts, wildlife habitat include a frog relaxing in a tarn, butterflies (so popular here we even have our own Butterfly Pavilion Museum), and the cows
 taking a bubble bath in the meadow – a common sight if you are driving past Boulder, CO ;>  Snowflakes are included because snow is a possibility in the mountains for 11 months
 of the year, and it is not uncommon for it to be snowing in the mountains, while the city of Denver below enjoys summer barbecues.
 I then quilted the piece, using the thread to add more detail to the design, as well as to stabilize and strengthen the piece.  Gold and metallic copper threads highlight the beautiful shades of shimmery colors seen on the aspen
 trees in the fall.
 
Inside, the coat is personalized with my garment tag, affixed to all my creations, and my name spelled out in letters taken off department store bags and fused on.

Pattern or design used: My Own Design - www.TongueInChicOnline.com posted in: gallery, jacket, plastic, plastic bag, fused