Sara
Jekely
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©Sara Jekely
Leather Star Jacket
Leather Scraps
2024
2024
QUILT AND PATCHWORK EXPLORATION IN THE WORLD OF LEATHER
Quilting is somewhat of a tradition in my family. I have made quilts with my mother, and I have explored quilting in animation, and digitally through video.
There is a vast history of quilting in American folk art, traditionally old/no longer usable clothing or fabrics were reused for decorative quilts. And now in contemporary fashion patchwork as a method for sustainability has been rising in popularity. In my work I continued this idea of sustainability and repurposing with patchwork and quilting by using leather scraps from past projects and the generous donation of the Vanson Leather’s factory. I also wanted to explore the decorative quality of quilts by incorporating it into my design.
There is a vast history of quilting in American folk art, traditionally old/no longer usable clothing or fabrics were reused for decorative quilts. And now in contemporary fashion patchwork as a method for sustainability has been rising in popularity. In my work I continued this idea of sustainability and repurposing with patchwork and quilting by using leather scraps from past projects and the generous donation of the Vanson Leather’s factory. I also wanted to explore the decorative quality of quilts by incorporating it into my design.
Leather Quilted Jacket Mochup and Design
Taking inspiration from the “Lone Star” quilt motif, the jacket highlights the star pattern by not incorporating any other style of quilt block.
Leather Star Jacket (version 1), process
I made this red, white and blue star jacket out of leather donated to me by the Vanson Leather’s factory in Massachusets. Since I could only used scrap material I had to create the jacket pattern out of multiple smaller pattern pieces that would work with the scraps.
The back is made up of 14 larger red panels and 128 tiny, separate rombuses to create the star motif. The front is made of 6 blue panels total, and the sleeves are separated into 2 panels each. The patchwork inspired star and the back of the jacket is all attached with a zigzag stitch, a technique I saw the artisans use at the factory.
Leather Star Jacket (version 2)
I later re-made the jacket using even smaller scraps that I received from the same factory. It is made up of more panels than I can count, but has the same star motif as the focal point. All pieces are attached with the zigzag stitch, and many details (such as the cuffs and collar) are finished with handstitching.
