Diane's boyfriend Grant is a swell guy. Very nice personality, very friendly, down to earth, bright, etc. He really makes Diane happy...which makes us happy. And he gets along really well with our family. So we figured this was the year to give him a present which tells him just how much the rest of the family really likes him.
But what to give? The time and purpose called for finely tailored clothing. But with the economy in bad shape, it also seemed like bad timing. Until we decided to make him something...but out of materials readily available and affordable.
But what to make? We wanted to make him something stylish, avant-garde without being garish...using bleeding edge materials and construction/tailoring techniques..and something to keep him warm during the winter. Then it hit us one day while shopping at Hy-Vee...
We found these "pizza" bags at Hy-Vee...
...which would keep items warm/cold for up to 3 hours...
...we figured we could use these as the material..
...which would keep items warm/cold for up to 3 hours...
...we figured we could use these as the material..
Then we searched high and low for a stylish design pattern...
...note Sammy's trains rumbling by...
...note Sammy's trains rumbling by...
We chose a colored-matching adhesive material...
...we opted for the "Professional" quality as the label states...
...we opted for the "Professional" quality as the label states...
We cut-apart the 6 bags we purchased...
Then we removed the clear covering...
...(which had the labeling printed on it)...
...(which had the labeling printed on it)...
A single bag handled one section of the jacket...
Cutting out the pattern...
Michele sewed portions together...
...then on the inside, we sealed the seams with Duck tape...
...to prevent cold wind from getting through...
...then on the inside, we sealed the seams with Duck tape...
...to prevent cold wind from getting through...
The almost finished product...
...we later added a silver bow to the same spot to identify our craftsmanship...
...similar to the Ralph Lauren galloping pony...
...we later added a silver bow to the same spot to identify our craftsmanship...
...similar to the Ralph Lauren galloping pony...
When presenting the gift...
...Paul explained all the fine tailoring and detailing which went into this work...
...note our signature silver bow...
...Paul explained all the fine tailoring and detailing which went into this work...
...note our signature silver bow...
Grant modeling his high fashion winter coat...
...it's ultra light, thin, windproof, waterproof...
...and according to the product labeling, recycle-able...
...it's ultra light, thin, windproof, waterproof...
...and according to the product labeling, recycle-able...
