Making matching jackets with my nieces has become an annual tradition. This year Gigi requested a dinosaur jacket. This was a tall order especially since bomber jackets with dinosaur appliqués was not an option. Therefore I had to be a bit more creative with the limited materials and time I had available.
I decided upon burnt orange/brown tweed wool with sequins, which remained from a previous purchase in NYC. I also chose cherry brown genuine leather, charcoal wool, and dusty rose silk (for the lining).
There wasn’t time to create original jacket design for myself, so I used a Burdastyle pattern from a previous project, (see jacket here). The jackets are for my 3‑year old nieces: Gigi and Pup. But my 1‑year old niece Ivanna is modeling Pup’s jacket in the photos.
The original plan was to sew a pleated leather ruffle around the neck and down the front to replicate the look of one of Gigi’s favorite dinosaur figurines. But I scratched the plan when I realized the leather ruffle was too thick and could only be one-sided. I ultimately used some charcoal wool scraps (leftover from this jacket) for the collar, ruffle, and cuffs. Despite it being a pain to sew by hand as machine, I did add a leather ruffle to one cuff. A necessary addition not only because it gives the jacket balance, but more importantly “it’s dinosaur skin”.
I’ll be honest. At first Gigi did not like the jacket. But after some persuasion, she happily wears the jacket and tells people to call her “G‑Rex”.
(Thanks for the photos Photography by Anastassia!)
Don’t be fooled.
This cute pose lasted for a moment.
COME BACK HERE!!!
WATCH OUT FOR G‑REX!
I CAUGHT THEM!!!
Let’s try this again…
“SMILE DINOS!”
More Photos…
Here is a photo of Pup in her new jacket (and dress) on Christmas. (My sister is wearing her new ANAGRASSIA blazer too!)
