Mickey Mouse Job

We have discussed the many nostalgic memories I have for certain objects. They tend to fall into two categories: Things I wish I had when I was a kid (Adidas bags, Tiffany Taylor dolls, Roots, Beaver Canoe and Club Monaco sweatshirts and Tissot Rock and Gucci watches) and things I had as a kid that I wish I still had (Penny loafers, Converse hightops and red footwear). I had pretty much reacquired most of my youthful fancies but two things still eluded me …. a pair of green jeans and a yellow Mickey Mouse sweatshirt.

When I was in High School I was a band/drama club type of kid. Both the music and theatre departments had closets where they kept old uniforms/costumes. Because none of these old clothes were being used I thought I would liberate a few pieces: A brown 1970s-era  band cardigan, a red 1950s brocade suit and a yellow 1960s Mickey Mouse sweatshirt. The Mickey was my favourite and I literally wore it to pieces.

For decades I searched and never found its equal. Then, about two months ago, I found the sweatshirt sans Mickey in the greatest place on earth — the $5 tickle trunk at Mama Loves You Vintage on Queen West.

Now there’s a reason it was $5 — it had a messy stain. But what better to cover it up with than some sort of Mickey Mouse! At first I searched for an iron on transfer, but those proved to be stupidly expensive. Instead I decided to do a DIY Disney and embroider the rodent myself. The following photos illustrate the process.

First I forgot to take a before photo of the sweatshirt. Then I printed out my preferred design and tacked it on, carefully concealing the stain (hint: it’s under Mickey’s foot).

Using embroidery floss from the Dollarama and using a chain stitch, I outlined the design in black and then continued to fill’er in. An aside, my next art show will be called Dollaramarama because that’s where all my supplies come from.

And voilà! The finished project. I’m pretty pleased with it because it has just the right amount of roughness to it. I want it to look like it was touched by human hands!

Green jeans, you are next!