In an Inspirational Trance

My most inspired project was repurposing a pair of jeans into a full-sleeved jean jacket. It was the summer of 2012. I found one of my brother's jeans, he had lost some weight and this particular pair of jeans were too big for him. It looked like a decent pair of jeans and I didn't have the heart to throw it out. It's neither economical nor good for the environment.

I have always been somewhat creative and eco-conscious; inspiration struck me like lightning striking a metal rod. I was so inspired to make something of it that it felt like I was in a trance or some would say "in the zone". I worked on it all day for two straight days, forgetting to eat lunch and putting the rest of my life (by which I mean binge-watching TV shows as I was an unemployed student with nothing to do that summer) on hold until the project was completed. This was my first major sewing project and I was very excited with the idea and the pictures I had in my mind. I have always been interested in sewing but until then the most I had sewn were probably a few (almost) straight lines.

I decided I wanted to make a jean jacket for myself out of it. I searched the internet to find some video to give me some ideas as to how to proceed but, at the time, there were none for full-sleeved jean jackets, just jean vests and that did not match my vision. So, I decided I would make the video myself and post it! The idea of making my very first YouTube video was intriguing. I filmed the entire project on my cell phone and tablet and posted it to YouTube.

As of today (June 10, 2021) the original video has been viewed 195,224 times, and that one sewing (or repurposing) video gained me 521 followers! I had added a couple of songs as background music that I did not own the rights to, so I could not monetize it. It being my first video, I was unaware of the rules. I then reposted the video without the music which now has close to 10,000 views. I found the comments on the initial video to be highly encouraging even though the video was shaky; fellow sewists supporting a newbie!

I was so psyched nothing was going to stop me, so I decided I will figure it out for myself. I started by gathering the most important tools I would need; a good pair of scissors, a measuring tape, ball-headed pins, and one of my jackets for sleeve measurement. With my lack of experience in sewing, I figured I could trace my way through it which to my surprise worked pretty well for this project. I began by cutting the sleeves, the waistband, the collar, and the body of the jacket. I sewed the pieces together to form the jacket and then to add some finishing touches; I sewed on the inner lining. From this process, the most important thing I learned is what not to do. You do not sew on the inner lining last!

It may not look perfect but it was my first sewing project and the most inspired one. It led me to lead an eco-friendly life, repurposing and restyling slightly outdated clothes or something I didn't really like into something I would love to wear. This experience broadened my interest in sewing and crafts in general and provided me with a lifelong fun, gratifying, and sustainable hobby. Keep the environment in mind, get crafty and wear your clothes longer!