Clothdaddy

no bagels for this weekend's market...

2009-07-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

Obligations at home are preventing me from making it to the Lawrence Farmer's Market this weekend, apologies to anyone hunting for me on Saturday. I should be there the following weekend as usual.

Etsy

2009-07-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

So, I don't always have a lot of things for sale. Usually only one or two. It used to be that I could stock them in Hyena Cart and they'd stay there until the cart was empty. Apparently that has changed, so it makes more financial sense to put those listings on Etsy rather than spending the monthly fee to keep the cart stocked on months where I'm not adding anything new.

So if you're interested in a Clothdaddy item, buy it in my Etsy shop.

Kimono Making for Gaijin progress report...

2009-02-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

I'm doing some work on my instruction sheet for kimono making. Drawing up the pics and such to show what goes where shows me how much more I have to add to make a complete guide. I may have to dumb it down a bit for the Naka-Kon workshop, because I'll only have so much time to show people how to measure and make the pattern, then fit it to themself. 10 squares to the inch graph paper (tabloid size) is perfect for drawing things out, which I'll scan in later and arrange on paper with the text instructions.

So I think that I have the middle pretty much drawn up fine, how you put the major pieces together, and a draft for how to take the initial measurements. Now I need to draw up the graphics on how to fit the garment to your personal measurements, sleeve and garment length options, and exactly what I'm going to draw up for the obi and maybe hakama is beyond me. I may just limit myself to the basic kimono and ignore the hakama.

New Stocking

2009-01-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

Available at Hyena Cart

Hakama Pants

2009-01-24T08:59:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday I cut out pieces for the prototype hakama, which I was essentially doing as wrap pants with the outer seams sewn up. Tonight I sewed the bulk of it together, minus the waist band. Overall not bad for a first attempt, but the sewing machine kept having issues that tore the hell out of one pant cuff. I haven't bothered ironing in the front or back pleats, so it's like giant bellbottoms at the moment.

They appear to be about the right size, we'll see after the waist ties are in place. The next one will also be made out of four panels rather than two, so there is more ease with putting in pleats (and possibly sewing them in, too), and putting it all together will be a little more easy as a four panel garment. I'm still not 100% sure how I"m going to handle the waist ties, that is for another sewing night.

Hakama Day 1

2009-01-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

I've finished drawing up the hakama pattern for my first attempt. It's kind of a mishmash between online instructions and my own modifications. I have the yardage rough cut for it, but some work with an iron is needed first. I think doing it at costume group may be easier, more room to lay out fabric and cut, not to mention iron.

I should have the first attempt done in another day or two, which will show me if the pleats are deep enough or not.

Kimono Making for Gaijin

2009-01-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a worksheet where you take some basic measurements and make a custom fit kimono, which I'll use if I do a workshop/demo at Naka-Kon. So far I have the first draft that shows what measurements to take, next I'll show where to do the adjustments for the overlap and the collar angle.

drpaisley gave me the title to the worksheet. "Kimono Making for Gaijin". I like it.

Tonight I'll start on the hakama, and this time I mean it.

Ninja Moo

2009-01-15T09:10:00.000-08:00

With Kiyan not sleeping early as I wanted, there was no progress on Samurai Moo tonight. I did however spend a little bit of time doing a little side project with the scrap cow print fabric, Ninja Moo. It's a prototype, needs some reshaping and I need practice stuffing plushes. But here is a quick webcam shot, because I don't feel like dragging out the regular camera.

I'll round out the head a bit more, and trim the curve seam allowance for smoother lines on my next attempt.

Samurai Moo Progress, Day 4, Jacket Finished...

2009-01-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

The jacket is finished, although I have to sew on a patch pocket beneath the overlap once I know exactly how the hakama will fit over them. I may start cutting back on the sleeve bulk, it is very full, but incredibly comfortable.

Some of you may remember the first Cowmono I made for Pari when she was around 3.

2009-01-15T01:10:00.000-08:00

I'm waiting for a very tired Kiyan to sleep so I can work on Samurai Moo.

Samarai Moo Progress Day 3

2009-01-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

And I continue to work at least an hour a night on Samurai Moo. This evening I got the bulk of the jacket assembled, namely putting the front panels onto the back and the sleeves onto the whole thing. It's a big, bulky garment right now because, well, it's a kimono jacket, and because I left plenty of overlap in the front so that I could fit it properly tomorrow before adding collar and cuffs. I meant to fold and iron the length of the collar/cuff material tonight to prep for tomorrow, but put stuff away before remembering. That sets me back about 5 minutes for tomorrow's sewing.

In other news, I took Pari to her first 4-H meeting tonight. She got tired and squirrelly after an hour, but we got some work in on the service project (decorations for delivered meals), met people, heard some of what is coming up, and I got to chat with the Pendleton's of Pendleton Farms for a bit. I know them from Market, so it's always nice to see friends.

2009-01-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

A length of pink twill, some cheap buttons, and a bag of polyfill have been purchased for a side project that I'll see about doing after taking care of Samurai Moo project progress tonight. Even with only three items I should have probably asked for a bag, a pillow sized bag of polyfill is very slippery when your hands are full.

Samarai Moo Progress Day 2

2009-01-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Not quite as much progress as I was hoping, but some. I cut out the collar and cuff material, and then some. One thing I hate about doing the long pieces for collar and cuff is that it's easiest to use the selvage as a reference point, so you use a long length of fabric. This time around, since I was just cutting black twill, I decided to cut a whole bunch. So now I have 13 pieces of 5" wide, 8' long pieces of black twill that work perfect. I'm covered for the next several projects.

I was hoping to get something sewn tonight, but I doubt it, so the collar and cuff cutting may be it. At least I made some progress.

And the loaf using the wild yeast is rising nicely, it'll go in the oven in about an hour.

2009-01-12T01:13:00.000-08:00

Still waiting for Kiyan to go to sleep. He's in bed, speaking to himself. I may just start cutting the collar and cuff material anyway for Samurai Moo. And since it's mostly straight lines, possibly get it done before midnight.

In parallel news, I've figured out what to do with the Ninja Moo concept. More on that later.

Samarai Moo

2009-01-11T09:14:00.001-08:00

I'm going to finish the Samurai Moo outfit this week, even working just an hour a night on it should be enough. If I can finish the complete pinstripe kimono in under 3 hours from cutting until it was completely assembled, a kimono jacket and hakama shouldn't take more than 10 hours, probably less. I'll work on the cow print kimono jacket starting tonight, since I have that pattern down real well.

Samarai Moo

2009-01-11T09:14:00.000-08:00

Samurai Moo needs to be done in under 2 months, for the anime con in KC March 13-15. I've been planning (and annoying you, my dear readers) about it for months, now I'm actually cranking it out.

Last year I did a simple pinstripe ankle length kimono for the anime con, and timed how long it took. Under 3 hours from cutting out to finished garment (not counting the obi, never quite figured out how to make one that I really like). So I know at least the jacket shouldn't take too long, even if I do add a few details like contrasting collar and cuffs.

So for this progress report, despite the process being interrupted by a sick Kiyan (see previous post if you want the brief but gross details), I have the back, front panels and sleeves cut out in my lovely cow print fabric. I'll cut out the black twill for collar and cuffs tomorrow, and might even get it assembled, along with ties to keep it closed.

Then I get to tackle the hakama.

Tea

2009-01-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

The KCCG tea went well, endless pots of a variety of tea, a four course dinner (soup, salad, entree and fondue), most people dressed in Victorian/Steampunk outfit. Here's a group photo of everyone who attended, minus whomever took the photo.

In Animal Crossing news, I did a bit of time leaping to stock up on artwork from Red's. There is a chance of getting fakes or repeats, so I figured go with quantity. I went back a year, leaped forward a month each time, got a bunch of artwork and I'll see what's good when I visit the museum. Sure seems like a lot of work for a virtual world, but it's fun.

2009-01-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

For about $20-30, I managed to get enough to make my suit vaguely Victorian-ish for the KCCG tea tomorrow. I also scored the glue that was recommended by a friend, and have pulled a long neglected hat out of storage. A washing for the new shirt to remove the itch and a lint brush over the hat to remove the neglect and the costume is assembled. Now I'll make a call and arrange for my ride tomorrow.

Sewing Projects-Needed Supplies and Prep Work

2006-09-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

I will be doing a number of tutorials on sewing basic children's garments. I'll say this right away-don't plan to sew your children's clothing to save money. The time, money and effort involved is much more than buying your kid's clothing at Wal-Mart. However, it does give you some fun options with how you dress your kids.

Basic Sewing Supplies-
If you are going to sew, you need to do it right. For the occasional sewer, inexpensive equiptment will work fine. If you plan to sew constantly, research your machines and buy good equiptment.

Sewing Machine-a starter machine will run you around $100. You can also find some good deals at second hand shops, sewing shops that sell refurb machines, and garage sales. I recommend finding a brand that can be serviced locally.

Serger-some people may disagree with me, but I say that if you are serious about sewing you need a serger. They are harder to thread and use than a sewing machine, but worth the time to learn. A starter machine runs between $150 and $200, but again check for refurb machines and garage sales.

Scissors-get a good pair of scissors, and keep them away from everyone else. One pair of sharp scissors is worth a hundred pair of dull scissors.

Thread-many people don't know it, but you can use the same thread cones for sewing machines as you do for sergers. The only difference is you may need a cone spool thread holder, which runs only a few bucks for a plastic one. Some sewing machines have something built in for this function. If nothing else, it's worth using the cone spools for black and white, the most common color threads that I use.

Iron and ironing board-if you want to sew good clothing, then you have to iron and press seams while making them. This is a fact. If you don't like ironing, get over it or find a new hobby. Stamp collecting is easier on your back.

Pins and pincushion-pins are the most useful tool for holding fabric together while sewing, or marking places on fabric. I prefer quilter's pins with a big yellow head so they are easier to find. A pincusion keeps them all within reach. Buy a generic fruit pincusion or recycle a tiny plush. Or make a voodoo doll pincushion, name it after that coworker that drove you nuts.

Space-you need a certain amount of work space. Luckily with children's clothing you need much less space. A dining room table works, just make sure everything can be cleared away when you have to cut fabric.

I will add to this list as items are needed for specific projects. I will be doing tutorials on how to make three types of skirts, including A line skirts, tiered skirts and gored skirts. The fun part about these is that there is no pattern, it's all based on measurements. After that will be coulats, pants and shirts.

Pregnancy and Childbirth Fair appearance

2006-09-26T14:13:00.000-07:00

Clothdaddy will be sharing a table with the Lawrence Attached Parenting group at the First Annual Pregnancy & Childbirth Fair on Sunday, Oct 8th from 1-4pm at the Springhill Suites at 6th and New Hampshire in Lawrence, KS. The event is sponsored by Heartland Doulas and other local doulas.

I will be on hand to demonstrate both Fuzzi Bunz and Bummis cloth diapering systems.

Congratulations!

2006-07-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

I'm an uncle! Baby Jergen was born on July 5th, weighing 6lbs 3 oz. Congrats to all!