Amazing DIY Project
My sister Kristen (first of all, isn't she gorgeous?) recently fell for J.Crew's Astrid cascading flowers jacket - but knew she could create a similarly beautiful piece without the $425 price tag.
Using strips of satin, Kristen made all the flowers by hand and sewed them onto a $35 jacket from Old Navy. Here is Kristen on the left and the jacket that inspired it, pictured right. Personally, I prefer her version!
The project did take quite a bit of time, which is unfortunate because now I want one for myself and have to find some way to convince her to make it for me! I simply can't get this fabulous jacket out of my head...and I'm ever proud of my sister's many talents.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 03:37PM
Comments
So the hard part for me is finding the right sweater/jacket to affix the flowers to. I know, that seems silly, that part should not be the hard part. Does your sister remember what jacket that was from Old Navy? Thanks in advance.
Yikes! $425!?! Your sister's is just as beautiful! Very clever of her. :)
those are some truly beautiful fabrics. i wish i had them for my <a href="http://www.camdendrive.com" >prom dress</a>. flower are just gorgeous.
I was trying to find the tutorial in learning how to make it. Can you please tell me where I will be able to find the instructions? Thank You
Can I have it too? I'll pay please.............
Your sis's version is so sweet!
Your sister's is cuter!!!
unbelievable! I might just have to try!
Katie, you're right - it is a girls' size jacket. She just sized up :)
Juneshine, check my post from Friday - it has how-to instructions!
wait, she's wearing a GIRLS-size jacket? That's what the link goes to at Old Navy.
whoa. that jacket is amazing! at least tell us how to make the satin flowers!
1) gorgeous + talented sister 2) jacket is far better than the jcrew one, and i'm a jcrew addict
WOW! This is a lovely jacket. I'm an avid thrift store shopper and encourage those who are wanting to make this to take a peek at your local thrift/consignment stores to make this project. I've seen a number of straight-style jackets (granted, not in winter white) that could be possibilities, and many are boucle. Even if you find one that has a collar, cutting it off, leaving enough to turn under, should work. As you can see in the first pic of K. if your restyled jacket has that Chanel jacket, no collar silhouette after the collar has been removed, the flowers are going to cover the area. Also, there are usually tons of silk charmeuse and satin prom/bridesmaid dresses with yards of the fabric for less than $10. So now I need to decide if I find the dress first and then find the jacket that matches or vice versa. Thanks for the inspiration K and L and I can't wait to get started ;) HAPPY THRIFTING!!!
Beautifully Awesome!
God Bless You and Yours!!!
Excellent job! Both versions are absolutely splendid and the DIY jacket is far friendlier on my pocketbook. I'm curious about which Old Navy jacket you used--was this a recent purchase? I can't wait for the instructions!
I am anxiously awaiting the instructions! The jacket is lovely, she did a wonderful job. I was trying to find ready made trim to mimic the J. Crew version, this is so much better.
Awaiting the How To post promised.... Would love to wear this to this season's Christmas parties
Oh that is just so good.
I NEED this jacket!! Please tell me you will offer them up for sale:)))) If so, please alert the media.... and me!
Thanks, Stacy
oh my gosh, she is sooo talented, and BEAUTIFUL. I have to say her version is better, and at a $35 price tag, it def. beats out the JCrew one. I also LOVE that chair she has it hanging over...where did she get them??
She needs to make and sell those! I'd buy one for sure - it's so much prettier than the J.Crew one!
I promise we'll have the post up asap!
In the meantime, Ben, you are right, she TOTALLY looks like Amanda Seyfried. I saw Mamma Mia with Kristen and it was so weird - because it was as though I was watching her onscreen!
Hello All! Thank you for the lovely comments! I will be putting together step by step instructions with pictures for Laura to post soon! It was a fun project and I am happy to share how it was done. Stay tuned.....
standing by for the step by step instructions...seriously, AMAZING! could you let us know if that jacket base is still online at old navy? i'd love to scoop one up and have it waiting!
I think the jacket your sister made is prettier than the J.Crew version! She is so talented!!! :)
so beautiful! i am amazed!!!
Your sister looks ALOT like Amanda Seyfried. She played Sophie in Mamma Mia the movie and she was in mean girls. That coat is gorgeous btw.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your sister's jacket. It is actually way cuter than the JCrew version. Impressive!
She did an amazing job on the recreation, it looks way better, the photos are better also - looks straight out of an ad.
Fantastic jacket! Much more classier than the jcrew version. Can't wait to see how she made it : )
aaah!! I LOVE this. you've totally inspired me. love love love.
Your sister is amazingly talented! Her jacket turned out beautifully!
What a fantastic inspiration! Look forward to the details!
i, too, love her version more than the original! and yes, she is gorgeous!
Wow! She's very talented - the jacket looks beautiful. I look forward to the step by step post!
WOW. Its amazing work like this that really makes me want to learn how to sew and get crafty (tho I feel like i would be an incredibly slow learner haha). I totally agree with everyone and think your sister's version is more gorgeous than the JCrew one! I can't wait for instructions, I may just have to really try to do this myself. ;)
oh! can't wait for the instructions! it's beautiful!
i want it too ! :)
Gorgeous!
this is amazing! a reason to break out the sewing machine again...
can't wait for the instructions!
okay girls... it is truly smashing! i am crossing my fingers all the way to Old Navy hoping there's a jacket there I can fiddle with. What an inspiration, what a beauty!! thanks.
Hi! Just stopping by via Domestic Executive in New Zealand. I am totally enthralled by your sister's talents and she carries off her creation with such grace and natural glamour (not all of us could look that good in that jacket!). It is her natural beauty that really carries off this piece. There is a truly romantic quality to the jacket and it needs to be worn with grace, natural glamour and personality (which your sister has in bucket loads!). Lovely post, Sarah
Your sister is gorgeous and so is the jacket! I am so impressed. I can't wait for the step-by-step post!
So cute! Love that she went out and made one for herself.
Update: Kristen will provide a step-by-step post by early next week! Yay!
uh oh, kristen... looks like L and I are going to have to commission you for a bit of step-by-step post on how you made this awesomeness!
thanks for sharing this with us, L!
you're sister is stunning. i like her jacket better than the j crew one. how did she make the flowers?
First off your sister is stunning!
Second I so want that jacket. It looks amazing and I like it better than the J.CREW version.
I would love to try this out myself. Does your sister have any helpful hints as to how one would do it themselves?
I would love to have one of these myself. Great, now I'm going to be obssessing too!
that is lovely. she has talent!
Wow, that's gorgeous. I think Kristen's version is more stylish with the cropped sleeves and the contrast of the almost boxy style jacket with the soft cascading flowers.
I am trying to convince Kristen to open an etsy store! If she does, you all will be the first to know ;)
I like this....ALOT! : ) Now would i have time to DO IT MYSELF? hmmm
what a gorgeous jacket, so beautiful!
That's amazing...get her an etsy store pronto! I need one for a party after the new year! :) Seriously though, that's great and she's so talented!
Wow, what a gorgeous jacket! It's even better than the J Crew version. Your sister is incredibly talented!
Amazing is right! I like your sister's version even more than the jcrew style. You should definitely ask for one for the holidays
how beautiful. now i want to try. hers blows jcrew's version out of the water.
i love that jacket! and i like it better than the jcrew verson. your gorgeous sister must make you one ..... (i want one now, and there's no way the catalog version will measure up.)
Ask for it for the holiday! That is too cute! I can't believe she made it.
yes she is gorgeous! and that jacket is stunning...