By the Numbers

Remember those nursery curtains I bought at Target? They turned into this:



It's Butterick 2626, the same dress as the one in this post. It's not ironed -- this is how it looks after being hung up wet from the dryer.

I didn't realize until I took the picture how ... prominent ... the numbers are on the bodice. In my mind, it's an alphabet dress, not a numbers dress, but I don't mind. (And since I'm going to be wearing this mostly for work, I hope I earworm everyone I meet with Dolly Parton's "9 to 5".)

It took me forever to figure out what buttons to use, until I remembered I bought fifteen packets of covered-button forms at the last Hancock's notions sale:


The covered buttons were EASY. There's a template on the back of the package and then all you have to do is get the fabric wet and put it in the mold. It took less time to make the buttons than it did to sew them on. (Just remember to check the orientation of the shanks if your buttons have a definite up-and-down ... a couple of mine are sewn on an angle for that reason!)

If I had it to do over again, I would, and with a glad heart, but this time I'd unpick the curtain hems BEFORE washing them; the sizing made the fabric stiff and in my haste I ripped one of the hems along the seamline, which made cutting-out a bit awkward. (If you have rips or stains in your fabric, you can mark them the way I do, with blue painter's tape -- it's stiff enough so that you can feel it from the wrong side but it comes off easily without leaving any sticky stuff behind.)

The obligatory "Let me show you where I screwed up" part is here:



The skirt has an interesting slashed/darted opening on the left for the zipper, and the right-hand side is supposed to have just a plain dart. Which I forgot to make. Which means the back skirt is not centered on the back bodice. To which I say: big whoop; I gave up being worried if people were staring at my ass a decade ago.

Here's the full back view:



Despite that annoyance and assorted others (if you remember, this is the dress where I turned front and back bodice gathers into darts, plus I had to let out the waist an inch, which is irritating on a skirt with side-seam pleats) I will probably make this pattern at least once more. It's so comfortable!

If you're playing "spot the pockets", they're set in the front skirt seam, between the third and fourth outermost pleats. Very convenient!

I'm with the band

Novelty bags are a niche to themselves. rarely seen as more than a one off, they are often coveted in vintage stores for their tongue in cheek appeal.
I'm not sure where the Piano Clutch from Dutchy falls.

It's symmetrical enough to not shout "PIANO!" and the mix of textures is lovely with the embossed patent set onto the smooth leather. However, there is no mistaking what the designer's intent was when you look a second time, and see the subtle keys stitched into the cream leather. It's not like it's a baby grand on a strap. I think if it suits some one's personality, it's a very cute bag that is sure to make some people smile.
The bag is well thought out, with interior pockets and a cell phone slot. The wrist strap is removable, but personally, while I prefer a clutch hold, I like having a loop if I need to slide the bag onto my wrist.
There is also not a serious investment involved, a plus for a novelty bag that you would probably not be carrying too often (lest the appeal wear off). It's $175 and available from Unsung Designers.

Shirtdresses I Have Not (Yet) Purchased

I know the general perception is that I am cornering the market on shirtdresses, but I swear that is not true. As evidence, I present these patterns that I have not (and probably will not -- probably) buy:




This one, from Miss Helene's, is really cute. I love the faux-western yoke. But I am NOT BUYING IT.

And this one,




Sent by Deb, and available from BootyVintage, is really elegant and sophisticated. (Probably too elegant and sophisticated for me, as those of you who know me will attest.) So it's available to YOU!

Both TCarole and Deirdre left comments pointing out this one, which is a new Vogue pattern, and so is available both at the Vogue Patterns site and in major fabric stores:




And William N. pointed out this one, at Cemetarian:



Just the thing for when you can't decide between a wrap dress and a shirtdress.

So, see? I haven't bought the ALL. There's plenty left for you guys!

[Update: But that Butterick 7373 at Vintage Martini? Was already sold! Sob.]

Project Runway - Yeah Christian! (It's over, now what?)

Yeah Christian! I'm glad that he won and I hope that we see more of him than we do of previous Project Runway winners. Tonight's final runway was the best of the 4 seasons. Every outfit that came down the runway from each designer was interesting - whether you liked it or not - I wanted a closer look at each item. I had to get out of bed and sit on the floor right in front of the tv to get a closer look as each collection came down the runway. Christian received the most applause, at least 5 of his outfits received applause as they came down the runway and they had guest judge fembot Victoria Posh wiggling in her seat and whispering in Michael Kor's ear. The outfits were just striking and I really like the look of the 3rd outfit above, very dramatic, outrageous, over the top, only wearable by someone like Posh, but fabulous.


Rami's collection was really nice too and for a brief second I thought he had a chance of winning when the judges said they were finally seeing the Rami that they wanted to see. The judges pointed out Rami's trouble with colors and I have to agree, some of the colors were odd. The gowns above were my favorites. The first had a satin basketweave on the side of the bodice that turned into an amazing drape down the side. The gold dress had a nice Old Hollwood look to it. The 3rd dress was made from 1930s lace and it had a gold shimmer as it came down the runway, the bottom had a very striking movement as it came down the runway. I can imagine Rami's gowns being worn on red carpet's in the near future.


Meow, kitty sees you! Doesn't that look like cat eyes on the bust of that first dress? I still really liked Jillian's collection too. I thought Jillian's pieces were more wearable for the semi-average gal. The riding helmets that some of the models wore were distracting, but the clothing was very nice and I see Jillian doing well with her own line too. The judges complaint was that the collection was too mixed, but I thought she was just showing her range.

At the beginning of this season, I kept feeling that something was missing from the show. Looking back at the season now, I think it was one of the best. It was focused more on the fashion than on the personalities, which is a good thing. In the past, the show had alot of focus on fighting, backstabbing and wacko people. If it weren't for Christian & Chris, this would have been a dull lot of designers, they added fun. Elisa had a wacky personality, but it was a sweet, likeable personality and I was interested in her designs. Unlike Vincent who was a true annoying wacko who was drug along in the competition for drama. Christian's early confidence seemed like arrogance, but it grew on you and it wasn't offensive or as biting as Santino was in his early episodes. Christian really grew on me, much earlier than Santino finally did.
I think the challenges were great this year too, faves being the Hershey challenge, the Wrestling babes, the NJ Prom Girls, the Weight Loss gals, the Avant Garde challenge and the Art challenge. During promos at the beginning of the season, Heidi and Tim both said this was the most talented group of designers, and at the end, I have to agree. They really turned out some amazing pieces this year. But now it's all over. I can't wait for the next season!


Some great dishy reading -
Tim gives a great interview about the show and dishes a little about Victorya -
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/03/project-runways.html
Wonder why she was so grumpy at the reunion show? She thought the time limits on the challenges were faked for tv and was mad through the duration of her stay on the show because they didn't have more time to work on their clothing. Show accused the producers of giving more money to some of the designers to spend at Mood Fabric, and actually has Tim count out the money in all the envelopes in front of her. Plus I still don't get her attitude about Jack leaving, she thinks it was a set-up.
Victorya responds to Tim's comments over at Blogging Project Runway -
http://bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com/2008/03/victorya-responds.html
She basically disses and dismisses his qualifications to be a mentor for the designers. Can you say Bitter? How about Sore Loser?

LOTS of great stuff from the RunGay Guys - http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/
First check out all of their great photos from the Project Runway finale party and read the great dish. Also watch Jillian's 2 exit interviews, meow! She get's a little catty and questions whether Pos was a fair judge or not. I have to agree. I think someone with a wider range of an opinion/knowledge of fashion should have been a judge. Her comments about a lady in an orange dress and shoes being the judge is funny.
PLUS Jillain won the 'It's Sew Not Over Challenge' on Bravo's website (Yeah! I voted for her) so she gets the 10K prize.

Bat Mitzvah Disco!

There are a few categories of clothing and related items that just automatically fall into these small niches the second you see them...and not particularly flattering niches at that. More a signifier of a wearable joke, they include things like: "Mother of the Bride" (a favorite of Michael Kors on project runway), "Bridesmaid", "Boy George", "Flashdance" (OK that last one can be fabulous in small doses), and one of my favorites swiped from the book of the same name Bar Mitzvah Disco...or in this case, Bat Mitzvah.
For those unfamiliar with the gala events that sometimes surround the Jewish rite of passage, picture My Super Sweet 16, only for a 13 year old...and flash it back to the 80's.

From the house of accessory disasters also known as Fendi, comes a bag that would have fit right in with the mylar balloons, and pastel multicolored rainbows and ribbons...seriously, I think I had a dress that matched this bag exactly, it was 1982, and I wore it to a fancy schmancy Bar Mitzvah held at Regine's...
Fast forward to 2008, and it really is yet another example of Fendi missing the mark. Prada and others featured here last month have done multicolored bags in all the colors of the rainbow proving that in the right hands it does work brilliantly.
The only thing the Fendi Multicolored Doctor B Bag does brilliantly, is provide a cheat sheet for future Disney Princesses who can't remember Roy G Biv for their Rainbows and Unicorns exam. You can purchase this little piece of brand new 80's nostalgia for an over the top $1,840 from eLuxury.

Message in a Furla

Have I recently mentioned my search for a crossbody bag? You might think it no big deal,
after all, so many current handbags from the likes of Marc Jacobs, Gryson, Chloe had dangling shoulder straps, they must be there for something, right?
Well, if what I wanted was a satchel attached at my hip, or in some cases, my boob then there were plenty of choices. But, what I wanted was an un-messenger bag. A bag that sat comfortably at my hip and looked like it was meant to. Nothing square and book-baggish, I wanted soft and slouchy. The Anna Corrina City Tote as featured here (believe it or not over a year ago) in super-jumbo-extra-large was close, but it was so big, that it could have doubled as a wrap skirt.
And then, in my weekly walk through Bloomingdales, there it was, hanging from a soft shoulder strap, canvas strap hanging from a pair of silver toned loops....
it was almost perfect...The Furla Elisabeth.

It was exactly what I had been searching for, if you take away the embossed croc, and the fact that the other choices, while grained leather were lilac, geranium red, and an awful toffee color.
But the good parts: The strap was long enough for the bag to hit anywhere from low hip, to my waist (hooray for adjustable straps!). The inside was big enough, the close was magnetic for easy access, the handles were short enough that they didn't interfere with anything, and it was perfectly soft and slouchy. Oddly enough, it is the sort of triangular hobo I might have otherwise overlooked, especially given the colors, were it not for the shoulder strap.

So, I did what any girl in this web-based world might do. I went online and searched for the bag in black, beige, even grey...something versatile and if not Spring-y, then I wanted all-season.
Black, was easy (it also comes in a rainbow of embossed croc, and linen) but then I saw this metallic.

Not as shiny as bright silver or gold, it is metallic, but still muted. It is definitely versatile for most anything, and softer than black or grey would be.
It is the perfect all day bag that won't fall off my shoulder, weigh down my wrist, or take up a hand (and with a 2 year old who hates the stroller - as if there was something bad about being pushed around in your own shaded lounge chair, it even has a cup holder - I need my hands free).
The embossed croc comes in honey, orange and purple for $555, and the metallic, AKA moon, is $450. Both are available online from Lord and Taylor.

Goss Design Studio

Andrew Goss and Sandra Noble Goss have been working together as artist-jewelers and metal workers in Canada since 1973, when they graduated from George Brown College's Jewelry Arts program in Toronto. They also studied jewelry for a year at Hornsey College of Art in London, England, and moved to the Owen Sound region northwest of Toronto, Canada, in 1976.



These are examples of Sandra's work:





Paisley Pendant

Sterling silver, etched bronze





Berry Branch Bracelet

Etched sterling silver



Andrew and Sandra share a studio and work in similar materials, but they design and work on their own separate pieces of jewelry. Materials they use include brass, copper, bronze, sterling silver, copper nitrate patina (a chemical heated onto the surface, also called 'verdigris'), 24k gold leaf, and more unusual materials such as concrete and cellulose acetate.



These are examples of Andrew's work:





Small Boat Concrete Pendant

This small (1.75" long, 0.75" wide, 0.5" deep) boat-shaped pendant is hung on a sterling silver chain, usually 16" or 18". I have done it in a variety of colors such as white, black, gray, some with texture, some smooth, some with gold leaf (as shown).





Pinched Leaf Earrings

These earrings are made of thin brass or sterling silver. The texture is from rolling the metal against textured paper. The ear hooks are sterling silver and show as a line in the front of the earrings. 1.75" long, 0.75" wide.



Their jewelry is made with traditional techniques such as sawing, filing, forging (with a hammer and anvil), fusing (joining silver together almost at its melting temperature), etching, soldering and casting. But they also use newer techniques such as roller-printing (where a paper texture is impressed in the surface of the metal), fold-forming, etching, and multiple-metal laminations (where several different metals are soldered together).



Sandra teaches some of these advanced techniques at Georgian College's jewelry program in Barrie. In her work, she looks for richness of texture combined with common symbols: spirals, circles, moon-shapes, hands. Her recent work involves fossils found in the area, and their references to memory and family. Some of the ideas are incorporated into wall pieces, etched bronze interpretations of fossils.



They also have a Techniques for Jewelers Page, where they have useful information about several jewelry techniques:

• Gold Leafing
• Rolling Mill Printing
• Etching Copper, Brass, and Bronze
• Using Photocopies as a Resist
• Multi-metal Lamination
• Concrete and Cement

Andrew's jewelry tends to be more geometric and simple, aiming to develop a pure form, where the parts form an integrated whole. A series of roof-top pins, and a series of wall-mounted rocket/fish pins, reflect these concerns. Like Sandra, he has also worked in a larger scale: his cast concrete and bronze drinking fountain can be seen in the Cycle Centre park across from the market building in Owen Sound. Andrew's recent work is in cellulose acetate and concrete.



Their work is sold across Canada: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Waterloo, Calgary, Vancouver, and also in several cities in the United States. Their work has been shown in Canadian collections in London, Paris, and Germany. They are recipients of several Ontario Arts Council Awards, as well as awards from the Metal Arts Guild and the Canada Council for the Arts. They are also founding members of the Art Town Collective.



You can see more of their work at Goss Design Studio. It's a very interesting website, and well worth your time.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Design School & Competition - 13 January 2006

A Closer Look at SEO and Cheating - 18 January 2007

Why the bootstrap entrepreneur needs to learn design (Part 4) - 27 January 2007

Jewelry Design Issues - 16 February 2007

Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.