Featured in the premiere issue of Altered Couture magazine is this felted and appliqued wool coat. The original jacket was riddled with moth holes and too large. After a few rounds in the washer and dryer, it fit but still too many holes. Circular rounds of felted wool sweaters were free-form appliqued over the garment’s holes. Gradually, the process morphed into this design. Collar, lapels and buttons were removed. Side seams now have slits to help balance the skewing of the fabric (off grain cut of the original designer label.) Sleeves were cut to sit at bracelet length. The final finishing is a textured microsuede trim applied all around. Photo of the coat after the felting process and before the transformation.

Quite a difference. The challenge in altering thrift store clothing is to make it not look like a recycled piece.