Big Bend Inspired Jacket for Erica

Erica came to me with this amazing idea for a jacket after she had spent the summer in Big Bend National Park camping, hiking, kayaking and enjoying southwestern views.

She had lots of photos for inspiration for this piece, and wanted to include an ocotillo somewhere in the illustration as well. Erica had a vintage chore coat she wanted to use for the piece, but there was a sizable double seam down the middle of the back. So I chose to embroider on a piece of denim and then chain stitch it onto the jacket to create a seamless look. She chose gold for the border which worked nicely and tied into the sun’s rays.

It’s rare that I don’t stitch directly on the garment but with this much detail and larger color palette I didn’t want to raise and lower my needle every time I went over the double seam.