Wednesday, May 16, 2012

"All Right, Mr. Cohen, I'm Ready For My Close-Up...." *


A week ago, Elle left a very sweet comment on my last blog post: "I know you're not lost, but are you wandering? Elle"  That is so considerate of you to ask! I'm not either, it's just that real life got very very busy last month. A lot of it was fun (free tix to Giants beating the Padres at PacBell), some of it not so much (rear-ended with moderate damage to car, but all the people were fine and looks like the insurance won't give us a hassle, fingers crossed).


The main reason i've not been posting is because these activities involved driving, riding in cars, lots of walking - all of which aggravates my left leg's nerve troubles. Thus, i also spent a lot of time flat in bed resting my leg. After the number of years i've dealt with this, you'd think a person would get used to it. But i have to admit it puts me in a really cranky mood! And this blog isn't named "The Interminable Ranter" ;)


I have been active on the wardrobe/clothing/style front as well, though. I made this shrug out of a unflatteringly bulky waffle-crew. I double-lined the back and cut strips out of the remainder to hand stitch to the edges - et voila! My first Alabama Chanin inspired project! I've been nervous about shrugs for years because i was afraid of how they would interact with the bust, but so far so good. It's really cute with my little cami-tops (heehee, if i say so myself), comfy and just the right weight for so much of our Bay Area weather. I'm looking to make more. Oh, my shoulders really show in this pic! I finished a top from Hot Patterns' Essential Shift Top and Dress pattern (i'll post it later). It's fairly fitted, so i can report that according to their sizing scheme my hips are a size 12, waist 4-6, bust 12-14, and shoulders clock in at size 18. No wonder i sew!

And weirdly enough, I've been heavily re-obsessing over ideas on uniforms and the best structure for smaller/edited wardrobes (heavily influenced by The Vivienne Files and this article by rontlog, who posts on HubPages and at her Chic and Minimalist Wardrobe blog). For a couple of weeks there i felt like i was falling into some type of wardrobe ignorance black hole, tidal forces pulling me in unknown directions. Such a strange feeling after so many years of studying just this subject! I'm finding my footing now, if still a bit disoriented. Who knows what's next!


In the meantime i've been experimenting with Alabama Chanin style stenciling and embroidery.  This tee was my first stencil/embroider project. The cotton is so soft and thin, and i thought the lettering would mesh well with the rose stencils. I also wanted to try out the fit of this for future tanks/tees/knit camis. I like it, and it's more wearable than i would expect from an experiment - a nice surprise.

We also stopped by Johnny F's off Union Square. Aren't these Wonder Everest's adorable? And so perfect for walking! At $265 they should be. Here's hoping they go on sale! (Anyone with mondo bags of cash lying around, i take size 9 1/2 ;).


Thank you all for reading and checking in even when i take an unannounced hiatus. It's such a nice feeling that people still take the trouble, especially considering how crazy-bizzy our world is these days. I can't believe a couple of you even signed up to follow during this fallow period - i'm sending all of you readers a big internet hug!  Elle's comment was especially sweet. I don't know if she knew but it was posted on my 50th birthday! Sheer kismet timing, Elle!

*Yep, i'm now officially eligible to become a member of the Advanced Style set. While i am old enough, i fear the urban animal that is Ari Cohen much prefers an edgier, more sophisticated look to my own mix of cobwebby Victorian and the ruggedly ultilitarian, all emanating a whiff of the cornpone. Well, it's diversity that makes this world so fun, and staying true to one's one self that makes it liveable. There's space on the servers for us all. Here's hoping you are having fun creating some spirit of your own, and i'll be back sooner than i was last time!

13 comments:

  1. This is so good: "mix of cobwebby Victorian and the ruggedly utilitarian, all emanating a whiff of the cornpone." : > Missed you! And loving those fab shoes.

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  2. I just love those jeans in the top photo. Wish I could copy them.....I'll be thinking about it!

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  3. Belated birthday wishes! Sorry to hear about the rear-ending and hope that the leg troubles are not related to that. I agree with Patti that those are so awesome shoes. And may you appear in "Advanced Style" before you know it.

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  4. I have missed your blog hoped you were okay. I cant believe you made that fabulous T-shirt. Can you do a post on how that is done? I am not familiar with the term "Alabama Chanin". Is there a blog or book that explains it. I am going on hiatus from blogging but will I hope be able to read others posts. I having my knee replaced... so when I am up and walking again I'll return to posting. Good Luck on getting the car fixed hope it goes smoothly.

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  5. Thank you Patti! i'm nowhere near as good as some bloggers at keeping up with everyone, but i do find i miss people when i'm not online. I like the conversations and seeing people's new ideas a lot!

    Welcome Joni! wow, looks like you're doing great with your silkscreening - people making their own clothing is really close to my heart so it's exciting for me to see! Actually, those jeans are just some old, way too big Faconnables i got from my neighbor. She volunteers at an op shop, taking the stuff that didn't sell over to the goodwill...with a stop at her house on the way. i get to look things over for anything likely, i've gotten some great pieces that way. These ones are truly beaten up which means they're super soft.

    Thank you Terri! as it turns out the 'at fault guys' insurance is treating us quite well. Car is in the shop for estimate right now and they're providing a rental. Can't complain! and the leg is just from overuse.

    Hi Adrienne - i missed you too :) i'm tickled you like the tee! i just cut a stencil and sprayed on acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium using a spray bottle. Then i embroidered 1/8" outside the edges.

    Alabama Chanin is a clothing line - they also sell DIY kits and books that detail how they make their clothing:
    http://alabamachanin.com/

    here you can download a bunch of their stencil patterns:
    http://alabamachanin.com/resources

    for this tee i isolated the large rose from the Rose Placement stencil, modified it a bit and re-sized it. Poke around the site and you will get a lot of ideas! I am kind of pressed for time these days, but will check and see what photos i have (or can take) that will give you a feel for how i did it. I'm glad you like it that much! it is a lot of fun, i really enjoy the stenciling and the handsewing.

    Have fun, steph

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  6. Honestly, I think Cohen is also looking for someone just an eensy bit older than you - about 24-25 years or so. But hope springs eternal, yes? ;)

    The shot of the shrug from behind really does accentuate the fact that you have a lovely, womanly figure. Lucky you! And yet, what a shame that RTW doesn't generally take this very attractive body type as the manufacturing model. ** sigh **

    Those shoes - oh so pretty!

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  7. Hi P! Well, to look at his site one would think possibly 25 - *45* years older :P !!!! However, i've seen him reference 50 as his arbitrary cutoff age here and there, more than once. Although if someone is outlandish enough he'll go even younger. And who knows what his mental image of 50 is anyhow. With him at a practically baby-ish age. ha!

    In my fantasy world there's be a ton of all different body shapes catered to in the RTW world! It's not like certain body types don't need to wear clothes, after all - and so many different shapes are beautiful.

    For the record, i love my shoulders! But they do require accommodation. So i accommodate them, thus it's been over a decade since i ripped the shoulders out of any of my clothes :) And those shoes ARE perfect in every respect! JF makes a nice variety in the Wonder family so i have a decent chance of getting a pair of some type of Wonders at some point.....yay!

    Happy Saturday! steph

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  8. Happy Birthday - I would never have guessed 50...maybe 45! You look lovely and happy.

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  9. Thanks for the link. I have been feasting my eyes on their website. Great inspiration.

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  10. oh, Sheila, you are a sweetie! (big hug) tho actually i think the camera just doesn't catch the wrinkles that well ;)

    Adrienne, i am glad you are enjoying the AC site - it IS full of ideas for the crafty!

    Take care and have fun, steph

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  11. Hi Tinyjunco,

    I have just looked at my blog and Hubpages articles and saw several readers were coming from your blog, so I thought I would come and take a look.

    I love your sense of style and the fact that you obviously have great fun creating and wearing clothes.


    I am glad you have found my blogs and articles on creating a small stylish wardrobe useful. Thank you for posting links to them.

    For me, to even be mentioned in the same breath as The Vivienne Files is an honour - I read her blog most days and think she is amazing. I love how she creates small capsule wardrobes based on different colour ways. Her capsules are a great source of inspiration for anyone who wants to know how to build a wardrobe based on basic items in neutral colours and then how to enliven them with colour through colourful layering pieces and/or accessories.
    She must spend a lot of time putting each capsule together and I know many people really appreciate what she does.

    My approach to creating a wardrobe is practical and holistic. I have several small capsule wardrobes for each aspect of my life such as work, being at home, social events and holidays. My wardrobe, although small works well for me.

    I can understand how you probably felt a bit disorientated after reading my blog and the Vivienne Files.

    I think the reason for that is that your your focus and creativity is channeled into one aspect of your wardrobe - smart casual / off-duty wear. These clothes are great for wearing at home or meeting up with friends, but you wouldn't wear them to work in a formal office environment or a smart wedding.

    What is interesting is that most people, when going to the office or attending a social event such as a wedding, wear clothes that conform.
    However, when you are off-duty you have total freedom to wear whatever you like.

    Many people still choose to conform in the types of clothes that they wear at week-ends, but many others recognise that freedom to dress creatively and fully express themselves through their clothing.

    I think that is where your style niche is - creative casual / off-dutywear. Apparently it is usually in this niche that new ideas, fashions, style innovators / leaders emerge.

    When someone really gets creative in this aspect of their wardrobe, they usually develope a very unique style and if they really cross the boundaries of what is seen as normal / acceptable, they stand out a mile and are percieved as eccentric, when in fact they are just choosing to be themselves and not conform.

    I live in a large English city and the English are well known for their eccentric fashion sense. The city where I live is very creative and
    as a result there are many stylish / eccentric dressers of all ages and social groups. Their styles all fits into that off-duty category. You wouldn't wear these outfits to an office or to a wedding.

    Your blog has inspired me to have more fun with my clothes and embrace my creative / eccentric side too. So thank you.

    Take care
    Rontlog at Hubpages / Simply Me at Chic and Minimalist Wardrobe Blog

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  12. Hello Simply Me!

    first, i am happy to hear that some of my readers made it over to your site - they will surely be glad (and smarter) for it!

    Thank you so much for your very thoughtful and insightful comments. I've re-read them a few times and discussed them at length with friends and family. This part was especially interesting adn helpful to me:

    "I think the reason for that is that your your focus and creativity is channeled into one aspect of your wardrobe - smart casual / off-duty wear......

    What is interesting is that most people....wear clothes that conform.
    However, when you are off-duty you have total freedom to wear whatever you like.

    I think that is where your style niche is - creative casual / off-dutywear. Apparently it is usually in this niche that new ideas, fashions, style innovators / leaders emerge.

    When someone really gets creative in this aspect of their wardrobe, they usually develope a very unique style and if they really cross the boundaries of what is seen as normal / acceptable, they stand out a mile and are percieved as eccentric, when in fact they are just choosing to be themselves and not conform."

    This has really pulled a lot of 'loose strings' together for me. I'm a stay at home spouse, largely because (while not officially disabled) i have some significant physical limitations. So i'm at home a lot. When younger i enjoyed pushing the limits (didn't hurt that i lived in Berkeley, CA). However, growing older, moving to a more conservative area, moving to a very different climate with actual seasons - all these events led me to a big wardrobe crisis.

    At the end of which i found that embracing the limitations imposed on me by circumstance actually helped me to hone my style and express it in very new ways.

    But your take on this role of the casual has really thrown these musings into a much sharper focus for me. It's still kind of trickling thru my consciousness, truth be told. Thank you!

    ah, i blush to hear i've inspired you. But am very happy about it! Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts with us - i will be mulling yours over for quite a while :) steph

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