I found this old vintage mohair wool coat at a thrift store a couple of months ago and was quite excited at my luck. There's not a lot of vintage anything in Hawaii and certainly not vintage wool items either. I bought it with the intention of cutting it up for softie making. I forgot to take a close up pic, but it's really soft and furry and isn't it a perfect bear brown?
Anyway, it's been hanging in Buddy's room ever since as he likes to put it on and pretend he's a bear. But here's my dilemma - I can't bring myself to cut it up. It's in mint condition, no moth holes, or tears, or stains and it's a very well made coat. Sigh. I have a severe case of vintagecutaphobia.
It's not just with this coat either. I have a large box of kimono and obi that once belonged to Mr. T's grandmother. Most of it is full of holes and there are a lot of moisture stains in the silk. I keep saying I'm going to cut the good parts out and make something with it, but I just can't. It seriously feels like I would be committing a sin.
I don't have a problem when other people remake vintage things, but for some reason I can't bring myself to doing it. This extends to ephemera too. Old damaged books with lovely illustrations that could be repurposed, sit on my shelves, waiting, I'm not sure for what. But yet I keep bringing this stuff into the house. Like the box of vintage children's records I found that were about to be dumped. Um, I don't even own a record player, but the jackets had these amazing illustrations on them.
Am I alone in feeling this way? Should I just close my eyes, cover my ears, sing lalalalala, and have Mr. T make the first cut for me? Is there a rule you go by for when it's okay to cut/repurpose or not?
Oh, what to do? What to do?
(Added: This reminds me of the fate of Larry the lobster. Should the coat be saved from the scissors like Larry was from the pot?)
I say if it fit you, and looked really great, don't cut it. But really, how much use are you gonna get out of a mohair jacket in Hawaii? I think it will get much more use as a lovable softie, rather than languishing on a hanger, never to be worn again.
Posted by: Bertha | July 11, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Chop it, chop it. While it's whole it is always going to make you feel slightly guilty, but as soon as it is flat fabric you can complete the act of rescuing it by making something new and useful.
Posted by: Ali | July 11, 2006 at 11:18 AM
cut, cut, cut! but i have a hard time with this as well - maybe because things start out as functional and/or beautiful, and even though they're not in use now, if you mess up they'd be less than they started out? i don't know. previous generations would probably totally love the fact that you're making use of what you have - and remembering the past at the same time. i'm sure you'd come up with something amazing - i'm jealous of your kimono box! what a beautiful quilt that would make!
Posted by: kirstencan | July 11, 2006 at 11:23 AM
I have this same problem too. I also have boxes of stuff to be used "someday". If it has any meaning for me, then I have a hard time using it. I strongly believe in reusing things, but I guess I'm afraid that whatever I make won't come out well, and I'll have wasted/ruined the vintage/meaningful whatever it was. Since I suffer from the same problem, I don't have any helpful tips for you. Perhaps a couple of shots of tequila first? Wait, that might doom the project for good, if you're anything like me.
Posted by: Amanda | July 11, 2006 at 12:15 PM
I have the same problem, which results in me being thrilled to find things like a faux-lynx fur coat with chewing gum stuck in it. Woo! No cutting guilt!
Posted by: Karen in Wichita | July 11, 2006 at 12:34 PM
I say cut - I can see it being really loved as something else - softies? Better than hanging in the cupboard.
Posted by: Kate | July 11, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Let me at it! I'll cut it up for you, no prob! Oh, it's gonna be great! Never let the GUILT stand in the way--it has no purpose now hanging in the closet. GO FOR IT!!!
Posted by: Snowbear | July 11, 2006 at 02:17 PM
Cut. But I know the dilemma. I always hope for some holes or stains to have an official excuse to transform a piece of clothing into a piece of fabric.
I can only recommend you to look more closely... there must be some flaws!!!! Good luck.
Posted by: Alex | July 11, 2006 at 02:26 PM
Cut it and the obi and kimono stuff too. I just received a handmade clutch from kimono material and it's lovely. You can't treasure an item if it's boxed up right?
Posted by: Madeline | July 11, 2006 at 02:46 PM
I want to say "Cut it! Cuuuuuuuuuuuut it!"
But I can't. Because I can't even cut new fabric, letalone vintage fabric.
Good luck with that.
Please publish a 10-step program if you ever conquer our fear.
Posted by: capello | July 11, 2006 at 02:51 PM
i bought a fur stole on ebay for $25 a few years ago to use for crafting - it came and was so beautiful i couldn't touch it. ended up giving it to my cousin who wore it at her wedding. also, i have been walking by a brooks brothers sport coat i brought home for $10 because the wool is so great. it is in perfect condition and i can't bring myself to cut it yet. i am going to offer it to a friend, if it fits, it's his. if not, i am going after it with the scissors. so... it is easy for me to SAY cut it - very hard for me to do it myself.... good luck - but i have to say everything you make is so wonderful i think using it for your projects will be the best use for the coat....
Posted by: stephanie s | July 11, 2006 at 02:57 PM
I say cut it. Vintage doesn't always mean stylish... but whatever you do with it will be great I'm sure!
Posted by: andi | July 11, 2006 at 04:39 PM
Don't cut things in perfect condition. IF there are holes and stains, cut away.
Posted by: justJENN | July 11, 2006 at 07:38 PM
cut cut cut cut cut cut cut! just keep chanting!
Posted by: samantha | July 11, 2006 at 08:10 PM
Aah, what a dilemma. When I learned to quilt one lady brought a box of vintage lace that was her mother-in-laws. I had never seen such beautiful lace. Her quilt theme was teapots and we all were to use a bit of this lace in the quilt block. It was quite a revelation that something old could have new life. Cut it up!
Posted by: Barb | July 11, 2006 at 10:17 PM
If you plan to wear them...keep it.
If you don't plan to wear them...CUT it.
I would like a bear please.... ;)
Posted by: Zohrah | July 12, 2006 at 12:36 AM
It's a hard one! My MIL gave me a box of old lace pieces, and it isn't even family (I don't think!) but could I dye it and use it? I don't think so! She's given me beads to restring and I can't! Sentiment is a difficult obstacle. Thanks for the Larry info - it was new to us English folk!
Posted by: Kate | July 12, 2006 at 12:49 AM
I've got the same problem, but have occasionally been forced to overcome it. It's very liberating, and I never feel guilty afterwards. Unfortunately, it kicks back in right away. Start with your least favorite old thing, and go from there.
Posted by: Rose | July 12, 2006 at 05:41 PM
I hope I'm not too late...I say cut it when Buddy's done wearing it to be a bear. It will prolong the life, and the transformation will be magical...
'R something.
Posted by: Delly Bean | July 12, 2006 at 06:00 PM
Yes, I agree with Delly Bean...let Buddy have it until he's outgrown its beary-ness. Then cut away!
Posted by: kathi | July 12, 2006 at 09:32 PM
yes, plus if you were to say...let Buddy wear it WHILE say doing a little glueing? you with me? easy!
Posted by: Miss Dot | July 12, 2006 at 10:21 PM
hmmm not sure about the jacket but the new blueprint magazine had an idea about enlarging images and blowing them up. you can copy and enlarge your vintage illustrations and then frame them and hang them on your wall.
Posted by: joyce | July 13, 2006 at 11:37 AM
I am afraid I can't help you because I suffer from the same fobia. I love to dream about making everything from vintage salvaged stuff and then I can't bring myself to do it.
Posted by: Veronica TM | July 13, 2006 at 12:19 PM
Cut it. What if Picasso had of said ''this blank canvass is so lovely, I don't think I can stand to paint on it...''. You're an artist, too! If you cut - the jacket, which was one thing, is now another...if you don't cut it...it's forever a jacket...that you'll probably never wear. x
PS: and whatever you make from the coat will be a 1000 times more interesting.
Posted by: Fran | July 13, 2006 at 12:26 PM
I have the same problem! I have a pile of dresses that I have either worn once or not at all (ok 1 has the price tag on it and my 11 yr old picked it up, squeezed the shoulders and said "Nice pads" very sarcastically! I love the fabric/print and would love to do something with them.You're in good company. What are we going to do?!!!
Posted by: Melissa! | July 13, 2006 at 12:28 PM