Beach

Ok, then. Now I understand why I am drawn to the beachy fabric. Here's a photo of the view from my window at work- a little sliver of North Avenue beach. It's fun to watch all the people on the beach in the summer move around like little ants, playing volleyball, writing big words in the sand, playing with their dogs. Not so many people out in March, but in August the beach is swarming, and it looks a lot like the beachy fabric by Heather Ross.

Yesterday

I think yesterday's rather eventful day was caused in part by the sudden warm weather, which has made everyone a little giddy and excitable. Everyone was outside enjoying the day, smiling, and wearing less clothing. On my walk to get lunch, the world seemed like a movie set- doormen smiling as I walked by, flowers busting up out of the ground, dogs running around the park, everyone breaking into song and dance together. Ok, maybe not the last part. But spring makes people want to talk to other people, as if they just woke up from winter naps and are happy to be out and about. For Chicago, which seems to be a city where people generally keep to themselves and like their personal space, everyone seemed to be wanting to share the love yesterday.



After work, N. and I went to the Shop Chicago event sponsored by GenArt at beautiful Union Station, where, contrary to GenArt's wishes, we were less interested in bags made from handcuffs and $88 vintage-looking Rolling Stone tees than the awesome worn steps and the strange.....orb.....hanging from the ceiling. Ten bucks for anyone who can tell me what that thing is. The photo shown above proves that I will drink Bailey's Irish Cream if it is poured into a tiny chocolate cup that I can then devour. The photo also makes me look like I have a tiny mohawk because of the way my hair is twisted around, so that's kind of cool. After fighting through 1000 Trixies to get to the free drinks and flirting with the gay guy at the MAC booth (who pronounced "image": im-AHGE) N. and I decided to head out for dinner. Good times.

After dinner, I headed out to catch the train and while walking over Dearborn bridge I got all sentimental about Chicago. Teary, even. Underground, I was entertaining myself with a particularly involved scenario in my head when a ordinary looking man with a backpack came up to me and started talking to me...... I keep trying to remember exactly what he was talking about but am not coming up with much. Something about my purse and how much can I put in it? And if I was to put something in it would it take up a lot of room? Huh? Anyway, the best solution at the time seemed to be to just stare at him blankly, which is what I did for about 2 long minutes. When someone is just jibberjabbering at you, asking you questions about nothing, waiting for your response, then asking more questions, 2 minutes can seem like a very long time. He eventually got frustrated, rolled his eyes and walked away. Awesome!

Sew-along

For those of you looking to join a sew-along, there's a great one here. I think the concept is that most of the people are knitters and are trying various sewing projects; the previous project was to sew an A-Line Skirt. Once I found this site, it solved the mystery of why I was getting so many One Hot Skirt orders all of the sudden...

It's really interesting for me to read the posts, because they are written by people who are often trying sewing for the very first time. Since Betsy Ross patterns are designed to be easy for beginners, I like to read what people think coming into it cold. It's also just interesting to see the different fabrics and designs people have settled on for their projects.

almost out!

Sung to the tune of "Moon River" (what everything gets sung to in my head):

Pro-poline
Hand cream of the gods
Oh whhhhy you gotta cost 12 bucks?

Oh Pro-poline
you Pro-poliner
I don't know what it means but love it anyway




Those jerks and theives at the C.O. Bigalow store across the street at Watertower are selling this tiny little skimpy container of hand cream for 12 bucks. And you know what? I'm a sucker and I will go buy it. And while I'm there I will buy red nail polish, fancy soap, a big candle that smells like firewood, a tiny tortoise-shell comb, shampoo, a pretty box filled with scented linings for my lingerie drawer, nail clippers, an eyebrow comb, some kind of face-freshening spray, yet another lip gloss, a space-age razor, a compact and about 25 other products I don't really need. Sneaky C.O. Bigalow with their nice, heavy shopping bags and attractive store layout and their sickeningly nice staff and free stuff. YOU SUCK!

how much can a girl take before she breaks

I found a new website that is killin' my time and breaking my will. Jerks.

On March 27, the author showcases some shoes by one of my favorite lines, Faryl Robin. The problem is these awesome cream, red, and robin's egg blue sandals. I think they might be some of the coolest sandals ever. I've been admiring them for a while now and have thus far shown a very, very high amount of restraint. But seriously, just look at them. I mean, yes, the price tag is prohibitive, but these are sandals you want to wear every day, all summer, everywhere. And then when it gets cold you put some tights on and wear them some more.

Hmmmm....Looks Familiar.

So on the right is a pic of a linen coat I ripped out of a British fashion magazine called "Happy" while on the treadmill yesterday- great magazine, by the way. [It's a constant struggle to combat the boredom that sets in after about 12 minutes on the treadmill; I flirt with disaster by trying to read a magazine while running. Not by setting the magazine on the little ledge like normal people- no, you can't see the captions that way, so the literature must be held quite close to the face, making you dizzy and disoriented.]

Anyway, the coat on the right is by Orla Kiely. Looks very similar to the coat on the left, which is the new Betsy Ross Retro Coat. The difference is that the Betsy Ross pattern will set you back $13 (plus fabric and notions, of course) and not 252 pounds, whatever that works out to in dollars. Don't get me wrong, Kiely has some great style, and I especially like this jacket. But if you are even the slightest bit crafty, you can make this coat!

Drawing of the week: Current Favorite Small Things, and yes I know I spelled "aperitif" wrong. Whatever. I still like to drink one.

Oh sweet Lord, NO!

Hey, this post is actually about fashion (in some sense), believe it or not.

I walk by this boutique pretty much every day, since it's between coffee and work. And every time I walk by this place, three things happen. 1) I think to myself, "How can these people stay in business?" 2) my eyes widen in amazement/horror and then 3) I start to feel queasy and quickly walk away.

I ask you: why would someone want to wear a chain mail dress that looks like it's been mauled by wild dogs? And if you were this person, on what occasion would you treat yourself to such a dress? Unfortunately, the silver chain mail number I saw this morning is not on their website, so I present you with this dress, which is only slightly better than the ones they usually have in the front window, although the model looks like she's being forced to wear it. Doesn't that face say that she's probably going to get drugged and beaten after the picture is snapped? And what is this store doing in the Gold Coast? I mean, I'm not a big fan of Escada and Farragamo, but still- the women who live in this neighborhood generally are NOT going to be shopping at the Ripped N' Shiny Boutique.

And now, a paragraph from their website, because it's just too good to paraphrase:

"Marie Simmons has teamed up with designer extraordinaire Bobby Higginbotham designer to the stars. Bobby says, "the only difference between me and Tommy Hilfiger is just a name".
Look for Bobby and Marie's Spring line to debut on the runways around the world."

monday: it's nice to not go to work sometimes

I had the day off today, so I decided to get a lot of errands done. So what do I decide to do? Yes, drive to Schaumberg, one of my least favorite places in world. I had to go to Ikea to get some picture frames, because they make these square ones that fit photos from my Diana camera. As usual, I picked up about 40 things I don't need while I was there, carried them around for an hour and then put them back and then felt like my head was going to explode from overstimulation. But halfway through the journey, I found the fabric section. Ikea has added some new fabrics since last time I was there, and I found a really cool linen print with diamonds all over it. I thought it would be perfect for the new Charmed Dress, so I whipped one up tonight when I got home. It turned out pretty well, considering I only paid $20 for the fabric. Photo is a little fuzzy. Good news, I am almost done with the instruction booklets for this dress, so it will be up on the site soon, I promise.

I've decided I really like working with linen...it holds shape really well, it presses out nice and neat, it smells good when it's steamed, and it has a little tack to it so it doesn't slip around in a sewing machine. The only drawback is fraying, but a little zigzag stich on the seam allowance seems to fix that problem.

My sewing machine is driving me crazy, however. It's busted and I have to constantly watch the tension to make sure that it's not getting too tight, which is a serious pain. I would take it to get fixed but it's expensive and I just bought a bunch o f stupid stuff at Ikea and then when shopping for clothes as well. I admitted to A that I bought a pair of long shorts today; he's scared but agreed to reserve judgement until I model them. Fair enough. I'm a little scared too.



After scrambling around to get all of my loot home and to return the car to the car sharing parking spot, I went to see E's Portfolio Day at the Merchandise Mart. Her presentation looked very professional and impressive, and her garments look fantastic. Someone give this woman an amazing job. Right now.

cute #006

So here's some photos that Alissa sent me of her finished #006 One for All Shoulder Bag. I think it looks fantastic, and I love the juxtaposition of the very different fabric patterns and color from outside to inside. Rock on, Alissa. It turned out beautifully.

man+ant= mant

Christmas gifts for Aimee

This post really doesn't have anything to do with sewing, but it has to do with design. If you are in Chicago and you are even vaguely associated with the art/design business, you probably know about Wright. It's an auction house that specializes in 20th Century furniture, art, and stuff. We get the catalogues at work, and I can keep myself occupied for some time with that thick book. I am especially drawn to the simple grace and use of color by French designers such Adnet and Prouve, but there's beauty in a utilitarian object like a birdfeeder as well. Design from that era is facinating; from chairs to tea cups, I love this stuff!

If you are in town, it's fun to check out the live bidding. The auction is on Tuesday, March 28 at 10 am and they are located in the West Loop area. Afterwards you can hit Ina's for some scrapple. Mmmm. Scrapple.


Images:
Birdfeeder, George Nelson, 1948
Vanity, Alvar Aalto, 1948
Book Crib, Bruno Mathsson, 1941
Chairs, Josef Hoffmann and Oswald Haerdtl, ca. 1928
Standard Chair, Jean Prouve, ca. 1950
Desk, Pierre Paulin, 1953 [this kills me....someone please buy it for me!!]

fabric, ye-haw

Here's a few swatches of fabric I'm eyeing, all at Cia's Palette. I don't know what I would do with most of them- I mean, do I really need an article of clothing that says "etc" all over it? Wait, maybe I do....hm......... What was interesting is that lately I have been responding to colors/patterns I don't normally like. I feel like I'm not supposed to like some of these, like the strange wavy ones that are optical illusions- but wouldn't they make great skirts? And check out that rooster pattern- I think he's holding a little card that says "Bonjour," which is fantastic for a lot of reasons.

Ok, and can I just say that the blogspot image helper tool is driving me nuts. I hate it. Hate. IT.

happy times

So thanks to a tip-off from from a customer, I found the Simple Chic book (see post a few days ago) on eBay, along with this other Japanese book on Stuffed and Felt Dolls, which I needed like a hole in the head. But seriously, look at those puppets. That's some cute stuff right there, even if I won't be able to understand the instructions. I'm sure the only English that is used is for the word "puppet."

honeymoon's over

Overheard at Marshall Fields, from a newlywed couple returning glassware....

Man: "Why are we returning these things, again?"

Woman: "Because they don't match our china."

Man: "Oh, right. Those retro things."

Woman (vehement, and sort of hissing): "They aren't retro. They're ANTIQUE."



Good luck, buddy.

Dreamy Coat on Dreamy Site

Oh Jean. I love you.

today's drawing...involves bacon!

new betsy ross dress finished!

Introducing pattern #010 Charmed Dress (as in..."Charmed, I'm sure!"). Apologies for the sucky photo. It was late and I was hopped up on sour cherry balls and pastis (see previous post). Apparently I can't even be bothered to photoshop out the nails in my wall behind my dress form. Whatever.Hopefully it will be ready to roll in a week or two. The instruction booklets are still being constructed.

Side Note: I seem to be using passive voice more and more lately. Check out that last sentence: "The instruction booklets are still being constructed." It's as if some sort of helper monkey is making the instruction booklets while I sit around and wait for them to be finished. I make it seem like I have nothing to do with it- form of denial?? I'm doing it more and more at work, too. Speaking of helper monkey, remember that Saturday Night Live commercial with Janeane Garofalo where she gets a Bathroom Monkey?

sunday afternoon inspiration and stuff on my mind

cute x 1000

if you ever find this book, buy it for me. i swear i'll pay you back.


Addendum 3/22/06: Found it! Nevermind. Keep it for yourself.

tip for avoiding wardrobe malfunctions

I just read about sewing little weights into the hems of your skirts/dresses to avoid embarassing wind incidents. Well, seriously, why couldn't I have read this last week before I chose to wear a circle skirt on the windiest day of the year? All I could do was laugh like a maniac while trying to hold close to 2 yards of weightless fabric tight against my body. I think I gave the security guards at my office building quite a show.

I wonder if these would work? Or these? Or.....maybe just a penny or two.

Find something to do with this cutie ribbon. You can find it at :
http://www.ribbonjar.com/product_p/10331.htm

new bloggy thing

It's my first post! Yay!