The Phoenix Jean Jacket

(Formerly known as Jasmin's Very Political Embroidery Project)

Sometimes a project starts with something simple. A patch on a jacket.

The original idea was to put a phoenix patch on a jean jacket for a friend. (A really big, impressive one.)

My friend found The One, and I found The Jacket. One jean jacket and phoenix patch later, I was ready to get started:

Using a HUMONGOUS quilting hoop, I stitched the patch down around evvvvvery edge. Every. Single. Edge. There are probably a million, billion little tiny stitches in there. Once it was stitched on, I trimmed the netting as close to the patch as I could get.

While I was finding my calm in tiny stitches, I saw this on Instagram:

cmmnctn.brkdwn

A post shared by formerly @crewel_therapy (@cmmnctn.brkdwn)

I showed my friend, out of SO MUCH enthusiasm for turning a harmful phrase from a hate group on its head. (By the way, you should give @cmmnctn.brkdwn a follow. Her work is brilliant, insightful, and perfectly on-the-nose.)

But for this friend it needed… more.

Yes, that’s a banner.

Silk. Sequins. Sparkly rainbow.

(What you can’t see is the buttonhole above the “O”, which secures it in place, and the snaps on the inside of the pocket and the patch for … more security.)

Yes. The language is jarring.

When they say “fight hate with love”, it doesn’t mean embracing someone who means you or your loved ones harm. 

I might turn the other cheek for something that happens to me, but my loved ones? HOLD MY PURSE. 

I see it as fiercely defending your loved ones, with roars and teeth and claws, like a lioness or a mama bear. Instinctive, terrifying love. 

Fighting hate with love is making a human barricade at Drag Queen storytime to protect the kids and the queens. 

Fighting hate with love is finding a voice and courage that you never knew you had to speak up.

Fighting hate with love is expressing it fiercely and unapologetically.

Fighting hate with love is co-opting a signature phrase (and font!) from a hate group, changing one word, and adding sequins and glitter to it to turn it into a message of love, joy, and acceptance. 

(And fabulousness, obviously.)

And then, I was inspired by some Pridewear I saw on TV.

Oh, nothing to see here. Just your standard collar.

…OR IS IT?!

I present, The Hidden Gay-genda: 

Done in silk embroidery floss, through one of two layers (which were already sewn together). I used a compass AND protractor on this one.

Last, but absolutely not least, I added the finishing touches.

Over the heart, on the inside:

(These were a gift from Little Skein Anne, but if your project needs some, you can find them for sale here.)

For the first time, I present: the Original by Jasmin Black Label:

Top of the line, bespoke, and Black Labeled.

Wear it with love, Friend.