Embellished Goodwill Thrift Store Jacket DIY

This has been my project today.  I decided that the jacket I bought at Goodwill for $18 a few months ago that has been hanging in my closet either needed to be given away, or actually do with it what I intended.

When I found it on the rack, the color was unusual, but I imagined what it might look like with a little embellishment.  It also fit and was like new.

As it hung in my closet, I thought of a little crewel embroidery piece on black wool I found framed for $1 at a thrift fundraiser at work.  I was not sure what I was going to actually do with it at the time, but I had already taken it out of the framed, washed it and laid it flat to dry.

That embroidered piece made its way to the coat and was draped over the shoulder for a few more months.  After thinking about how I wanted to add it to the coat for quite some time, today it seemed to tell me it was now or never.

Believe me I have tried other little project ideas, and there are some that do not turn out.  However, this time I think I actually created something I will wear and enjoy doing it.  You can see on the picture of the back shoulder in the lower left, that it is far from perfect.  But for myself, the collar will be down anyway.

Here are some tips if you want to to something like this yourself:

• Unlined jackets/coats are basically a must.  It is hard enough to maneuver the big coat around the sewing machine.  It might be next to impossible if you had to work under lining too.

• Lay it out first, as least as much as you can.  It will help you decide which parts of the trim you want on the top and bottom as you layer it.  (Trim end work best hidden, as many fray easily.)

•  The long vertical lines of trim can be difficult to get straight, particularly if you are working with a woven trim that stretches.  I finally got out a yard stick and sharpie marker and literally drew a black line right on the jacket.

•  There is always hand embroidery or some more stitching you can add if you feel like to made a boo boo.  It is amazing what you can cover up.