For the Smithsonian’s Craft2Wear show coming up in a few weeks, a new trench coat. Pieced from leftovers.

A while ago I went through my piles of scraps and put together a group of white and blue that I pieced into a jacket. I posted pictures of it a few weeks ago. At the same time I had also gathered red, black and white scraps. Those pieces found their way into this trench coat.

Below, in process, the finished parts laid out, the front pieces, sleeves and collar.

‘Mottainai’, a Japanese word which translates to ‘waste nothing,’ it’s not only about frugality, but also about respect and appreciation.

All of us who sew and piece together our scarps know this well. We save every little bit and piece because, you never know, you might need it. It might be small, only a few inches, but it’s the exact and only thing that works. That little piece you’ve saved for all this time is what pulls everything together.

The back.

This and my other coats, jackets, skirts, tops and scarves will be finished in time for Craft2Wear. Preview party Thursday October 3, the show October 4 and 5. See you there!

Last week, I spent a few days piecing the odds and ends from the remainders of a trench coat I had just cut out. The fabric was from an old kimono, gorgeous, but with prominent stains so it was no longer wearable.

The trench fell into place easily, the pattern flowed together with ease.

But the obstinate leftovers were not cooperating. I was completely lost trying to lay out them out. Each pretty little piece had a mind of its own and resisted my every intension. ‘Just try and get along!’ I pleaded.

Finally, after many hours of trying every combination I could think of, they relaxed and found their places. The bright shapes and black areas finally balanced and set themselves nicely into place.

Above, the front, politely sitting there looking as if there had not even been a single moment of obstinate drama.

I’ll be bringing it, finished and ready for wearing to the Smithsonian’s Craft2Wear show, October 3, 4 and 5.

A new jacket, born from all the leftover pieces and scraps that I could not possibly throw away.

I scrounged through my remainder piles and gathered all the odds and ends that looked good with each other. I sewed those bits and pieces together into blocks, all the while, not sure of where I was heading. Just feeling my way along. When I had enough blocks, I laid them out.

Then came the magic part. As the forms and shapes began to talk to each other, I could see where I was heading. And when I knew where I was going, I could see the areas that needed more and the places that needed less.

Above, the front in process.

I almost always start with the front. It takes a while since I’m still figuring it out. By the time I get to the back, the direction is clear and it goes pretty fast.

Below, the back.

After all the decisions are made, I sew the blocks together.

Below, the piecing is complete. The front is cut out and ready to be sewn into a jacket.

In the midst of working on this one I kept thinking that it looked like airplanes and their complicated pathways, that’s why, ‘Flight Paths.’