Sweater + Coat = Swoat
|11.Feb.2010While Jeff and I were tucked up in a cabin in the Ozarks celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary, my parents kept (or should I say “survived”) the kids.
Not that the kids are bad; they are just…all encompassing, all the time – which is a lot of work for anyone, especially if you’re used to quiet days. My kids are a lot of things, but quiet isn’t one of them.
The two younger ones busied themselves watching movies, taking turns emailing me and Jeff, playing on their DS’s, following my parents around and talking their ears off, while Emelie and my Momma (Izzy) put their creative brains together and created a swoat.
What’s a swoat?
Sweater + Coat = Swoat.
Inspired by katwise on Etsy, Izzy and Emelie hit the local New Life Resale shop, scouring for sweaters to cut up and sew into a coat. It is insane how a horribly ugly sweater can turn into a beautiful coat.
While Izzy eeked-out the details of the construction, Emelie pinned…
and sewed, or I should say “serged”, piece after piece.
Bit by blessed bit, top to bottom, progress was made.
Notice the thumbholes? I loved that detail!
I’m sure Emelie entertained Izzy through the whole process.
It is exciting to have a daughter as amazingly creative and imaginative as my Momma, Izzy. There is nothing Izzy can’t do – I’m convinced of it! Try living up to THAT you’re whole life. I’ve finally come to terms with it at the ripe age of 37 and can take joy that now she’s brainstorming ideas with my daughter, her granddaughter.
These things skip a generation you know.
This swoat? So cool. As they told me about it over email and the phone, I asked them to take photos…one must blog these things, y’know?!
It only took two days – which I think is quite possibly a record for such a large endeavor – to sew the swoat. TWO DAYS!
As it came together Emelie’s emails became scarce; the girl was busy modeling and serging…
…and piecing together a hoodie tail? What?
Anyone else thinking Dr. Seuss?
Or maybe you’re thinking of Dolly Parton’s song, Coat of Many Colors?
My coat of many colors that my Momma Izzy made for me…
made only from rags, but I wore it so proudly.
Well I couldn’t understand it,
I was rich as I could be,
In my coat of many colors,
My Momma Izzy made for me.
Check this out – the hoodie “tail” wraps around to make a scarf! And with these crazy cold temperatures here in the South…it works.
Someone get some shoes on that girl!
Anyone else thinking they need a swoat? I know I do.
Punky Brewster on crack boys and girls.
PUNKY BREWSTER ON CRACK!
I’m just crazy about it – and so is Emelie. Matches her hot pink pants, tie-dye shirt, and quilted knee-high Converse beautifully.
You probably think I’m jokin’ right?
47 Comments
kj
I want one.
Super cool, even for an “old” lady like me!
jamie
OH MY GOSH. I HAVE to show this to my (almost) 8 year old! She will LOVE it! Did they base it on any kind of existing pattern? Or did they wing it?
OMSH
jamie – TOTALLY WINGED IT. It is glorious; I love it too!
Izzy
It was quite a trip making the “swoat” with Em … I absolutely LOVE having a creative granddaughter!. Creative imagination does change over the generations and Em is certainly a leader among her peers :) … and loads of kinky fun to boot. And you My Love (Heather) are EXTREMELY creative! Don’t kid yourself.
Jenn B
Wow!! I LOVE it! I esp. like the hoodie tail doubling as a scarf. It’s officially added to the list of sewing crafts i’d like to do, but will likely not get around to (perhaps when my daughter is a teenager we’ll dust off the ideas).
Aunt Betty
LOVE IT!! I probably would not do the hoodie “tail”, but for Em, it is perfect! And, as Izzy said, you are also extremely talented Heather. : )
SAJ
I want one!!!! I’m so inspired to go thrift store shopping now!
Sue at nobaddays
LOVe, LOVE, LOVE it! And I have a ninja tee just like Emelie’s … ‘cept I’m 42 this month ;-)
Taderdoodles (Lisa Baldwin)
I want one! I’m happy to see I’m not the only crazy crafter out there.. I would have put a hoodie tail on it too!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!
Angela
She’s a fabulous gal, great job on the swoat!
Kitty
i love this very very much =^_^=
mamalang
This is awesome. And I totally get what you say about the three kid. My MIL is always happy to help out and take them, but then always says she doesn’t know how I do it when she gets them back. I tell her it’s about being somewhat organized, and routine. Oh, and only yelling when you really need to be heard :)
Golden
OMG, that is totally heirloom. And she winged it? Gosh, I wish I had that kind of skill. It makes my eyes tear thinking of what a precious memory that is for Em to have had with Izzy. It so wonderful to see Em’s eclectic style and vibrant personality embraced by all.
Kari
I’m going to de-lurk and say that Emelie’s swoat is AWESOME! I LOVE the stocking hat tail scarf on the hood. Pure genius! It seems to fit your daughter’s personality perfectly. :-)
OMSH
Kari – Thanks for delurking; I agree, it fits her to a tee (or to a tail…whatever)
Golden – Winged it indeed…she and Izzy have many more precious memories ahead. I love watching Em’s style unveil – right now she’s working on a skirt from thrift store ties!
mamalang – Okay FINE! I’ll stop yelling already! heh heh
Sue at nobaddays – Did you get it from Wet Seal? What’s up with the name of that store? Insane. Wet Seal.
Aunt Betty and Izzy – Awwww…I have fans!
Jenn B – There’s more truth to the “perhaps when my daughter is a teenager” than you think!
Kerry
This is awesome! I just happened to be checking while my daughters (9 and 7) were sitting here with me and they absolutely love it. We may be raiding some thrift stores ourselves soon.
Jackie W.
I wish I had a girl to make this with. Oh wait, I am a girl & ds2 has a gf so maybe we can make one together. Now all I need is a serger.
LizC
I have to send this to my sister-in-law, Heather. This is Wonderfully Cool.
Now my 13yo is telling me we need a serger and a trip to the thrift store. :)
Suzanne
I just love this swoat! So cute — I would love one too!
Mia
Personally, i think calling it a swacket rolls off the tongue better (sweater + jacket)
Courtney!
I am totally making one of these! i love this idea.
Anita
That is such a cute idea! Thanks for sharing the pics.
Sarah
I LOVE it!!! Seriously want one! And I was Punky Bruster once in my much younger years :) I even one the contest.
MissCaron
GREAT IDEA!!! I have some sweaters that I’ve been meaning to make into pillow covers for some time now and this might just be the motivation I needed!
OMSH
I love how this is inspiring other SWOAT makers.
Oh, and Mia – I agree…Swacket does have more of a “swing” to it, but the idea was pegged while I was away with Mr. OMSH, so no one asked for my input! HA!
bethany
ok, between the recycled clothes at the flea last summer (read: just 2 wacky pieces spliced together with a crazy detail or two) and now this, I’m utterly inspired. I LOVE it!! Fab job by all, and while my grandma is now 93 and can’t sew for me anymore (she did loads of it) i think i need to make one in her honor. she would love this one as much as i do, it’s right up her alley. thx for the inspiration :)
Silvia
This is such a wonderful craft! I’m going to have to search my kids and husband’s old sweaters for things they don’t wear. Very cool!
Barbara
I have several boxes of church-sponsored clothing-giveaway sweaters I was going to try to cut and sew into patchwork quilts (or afghans?) but wasn’t sure how to do it without huge bulky seams. If this works, it would be super easy!
Barbara
And now I’m thinking “poncho…”
Cherie
Love this! I wish I could pull it off (wearing one I mean), I might try anyway.
igrovieavtomati
SUPER hand made!
Kentucky Farm Girl
That is the most freakily AWESOME thing I have ever seen!!!! That is pure MAGIC!!!! And the hoodie tail….absolutely INGENIOUS!!!! Sorry for the shouting, but I’m actually restraining myself a bit. I must have one. MUST. HAVE. ONE.
NOW.
Susan:)
I love it! I am definitely going to make one of these!
lisa
OMG love it!
What a fun project!!!!!
Thanks for sharing. :)
Jo
Right on!
kimberly loomis
Okay, that is ultra-mega cool. I love her nails, too! I am amazed. I have no excuse for not knowing which end of my sewing machine is up!
Suzie Homemaker
Crikey that’s awesome!! I have a friend who buys men’s old button down shirts at thrift stores and makes them into aprons and curtains. SO amazingly original and cool. The world is full of talented people. You would pay a fortune for a one-of-a-kind sweater like that in a highend store. I’m impressed.
Bryan
I love the liripipe, you just don’t see them enough any more. And being used properly, too! Well done.
Jackie
I am interested in buying one of your coat sweaters… (swoat) could you let me know the cost?? my friend bought one of your seaters in a gift shop in Fairbanks, Alaska. I am here for schooling and will going home in a couple weeks. There was only 1 long coat and one short sweater. the pieces were in different shades of pinks and purples. I loved it.
Thanks, Jackie
jen
Oh, that swoat is cool, but the hood is the best! I just love it!
(Used to read your blog faithfully, but just now realized that you are blogging again. Glad to have you back in blog-dom!)
Sweater Coats
Very nice!! It seems like it would be tricky to try to sew together pieces of sweater (maybe that just makes this project all the more unique!)
carmen Latham
Love this. Very creative. Now you think I can do this on a regular sewing machine?
OMSH
I think you’ll need a serger with the sweaters because of the whole “fray” element.
lauradodson
wowowowow. awesomosity to the fullest. now i gotta go scout out some thrift stores. yay!
StoneMaven
That has to be one of the most beautiful re-purpose garments I have ever seen. She should put that up on Craftster and Craftspotting.
Lisa
I love this. But I am so new to serger sewing I was wondering what the stitch settings are to do those exposed seams and what type of thread you used??