New Project Runway, beeyotches!

[hadespussercats]

Here's hoping it's a season worth watching. It's been a while.

Otherwise they'll have to design and build a shark-jumping ensemble for the Fonz...

[hadespussercats]

Some nice work. No obvious kooks, which is a shame-- but they usually cut all the kooks in the first few weeks, anyway. With the exception of my beloved Mondo, from Season 8, of course (that bitch Gretchen! Yeah, just what the modern woman wants to wear-- beige granny panties and a blazer. )

Aaaand

Trigger Warning!!!1! :

The old guy won! And he deserved to. Nice!

I really liked the first outfit down the runway tonight, though-- sort of surprised it wasn't in the top few.

Hm.

Am I the only Ratz who watches this? I just realized this might not be the audience...

Ah well.

[Gallstones]

I like these kinds of shows.
But, I don't get that channel.

[hadespussercats]

I like these kinds of shows.
But, I don't get that channel.

Actually, I've seen some of your makeover garments-- bet you'd do all right on the Runway.

[Gallstones]

I like these kinds of shows.
But, I don't get that channel.

Actually, I've seen some of your makeover garments-- bet you'd do all right on the Runway.

Thank you so much.

I could never bear up with the bullshit. I decided I couldn't do commercial art because the level of competition was too mean.

I love the show because it gives me ideas and I like seeing how people meet the challenges.

I ordered the most interesting printed fabric panel of Buffalo Bill for a western themed shirt. It is going to make a unique top. I have until next Saturday to get it done--C&W concert, and I want to be outfitted in theme. I got a denim skirt today that fits nice and feels nice too. Now, if I can only get a fucking date.


Don't tell anyone, but I like America's Next Top Model for the makeovers.
Yet I never got into wearing makeup, and I hate heels. They are not only uncomfortable, they made me taller than the guys.

I suppose an interest in fashion is the most "girly" thing about me.

[Gallstones]

"Fucking" isn't the operative word.
Just an expression of frustration.

[hadespussercats]

"Fucking" isn't the operative word.
Just an expression of frustration.

Good luck with your shirt project! Maybe pics when you're done?

I love thinking up clothes projects, but usually end up just doing alterations to stuff I buy. Which is fun, and weirdly empowering-- getting off-the-rack items to suit me personally. But not the same as the sort of dreaming you can do, buying fabric...

I've been a bit more crafty on behalf of the boy-o, though.
Made him a sun hat a few weeks ago, out of one of the gajillion receiving blankets I got as gifts.
Made some carriers, too-- maybe I posted pics...

[Gallstones]

I buy the fabric because, because I collect fabric like I collect books and beads.
I like having it already on hand when an idea comes my way.
If I let the idea come first and then try to find fabric to fit, it stays in the planning stage and I never get anything done.

I bought four large bags of scrap buckskin at a thrift store a few years ago ($4.00 a bag). One of each color--gold, brown, black, smoke; and there are many large pieces of scrap in those bags. I am making a pattern now to use some of it with. Before I cut leather I want to have a muslin pattern that fits--and guess what? I'm out of muslin. How can I be out of muslin?

You know what my favorite pieces of the skins are--the ragged edges. I like scars and holes in them too.


Pictures of what I make will end up in my Work in Progress gallery at Flickr.

[Gallstones]

My mother has always sewn garments; and what motivates her the most is sewing for babies and children. So she made clothes for my son until he developed his own sense of style and became picky. She now has a new granddaughter and is happily making dresses.

Sewing was a survival skill in my house. There wasn't money to buy fashionable clothes so if I wanted something I had to make it myself. And then I didn't stop, I had to personalize it and make it fancy too.

[hadespussercats]

My mother has always sewn garments; and what motivates her the most is sewing for babies and children. So she made clothes for my son until he developed his own sense of style and became picky. She now has a new granddaughter and is happily making dresses.

Sewing was a survival skill in my house. There wasn't money to buy fashionable clothes so if I wanted something I had to make it myself. And then I didn't stop, I had to personalize it and make it fancy too.

Yeah, my mom is a prolific self-taught sewer-- made a lot of my sister's and my clothes when we were growing up (we didn't have a lot of money, either.)

She makes pretty smocked dresses, and has been (sort-of) looking into selling them as a sideline-- but it's really hard to make money making clothes, at least here in the States. And of course, she's gotten stuck with only grandsons, so smocked dresses are pretty much out.

Going with her to fabric stores, looking through the pattern books, all that, was a big part of my childhood. I'm sure it had something to do with me getting into costuming. The irony is that once I started sewing as part of my work, I never wanted to do it for myself. It's only in the past few years I've stopped repairing my clothes with safety pins.

I love working with leather. Unfortunately, my dinky home machine isn't too great with fuller-bodied fabrics or leather, and I don't have access to a shop machine these days.

I'd love to see some of your buckskin garments when they're done.

[hadespussercats]

Oh, and I hear you on the fabric stash! I had SO MUCH fabric when we moved to this apt.-- lots of leftover goods from shows, graft from shops where I worked. I couldn't justify keeping most of it because we just don't have the same room for storage that we used to. But it's so much fun to scavenge the hoard when the spirit strikes...

[Gallstones]

I was at an every Friday event--live music, food, classic cars--this evening.
A person does some people watching at things like this and I also check out clothes.
I like that detail on that top, I like the flounce in that blouse, I wonder who he got to patch up those jeans in that way......I remember these things as ideas for later. Oftentimes making quick sketches in my all purpose journal.

Do you do that?

[hadespussercats]

I was at an every Friday event--live music, food, classic cars--this evening.
A person does some people watching at things like this and I also check out clothes.
I like that detail on that top, I like the flounce in that blouse, I wonder who he got to patch up those jeans in that way......I remember these things as ideas for later. Oftentimes making quick sketches in my all purpose journal.

Do you do that?

All the time. I live in a great city for people- and clothes-watching. And I love to try to figure things out about people based on how they're dressed, or try to figure out the nature of a neighborhood based on clothing demographics.

Actually, I haven't sketched this sort of thing in a long time-- I used to be more regular about taking notes.

hm. Thanks for reminding me. I miss that.

[Gallstones]

I have some very sheer weight habotia silk. I cut a portion off the bolt to make a top from. As the top will be very sheer the idea is to pair it with a corset/fancy lingerie type girdle thing. I found one I really like, it's cobalt blue. The price is $ . All the ones I really like are priced $

I need a boyfriend to buy it for me so I can wear it for him.

As for the silk, it has no body so I will have to size it even to cut it. I can't get liquid starch locally anymore. WTH?
I did find a recipe online. Probably end up using that.

I don't want to leave the silk the stark white it is, so maybe tint it an off white? Barely pink?
Or use Setacolor medium mixed with a metallic powder to put a barely there metallic effect on it.

I want some polka dot fabric too; red with white dots.
I am toying with the idea of trying a shibori technique (itajimi) and dying the fabric myself. Even if I don't get what I want I can still use that fabric for something.

[Gallstones]

If I don't sketch I forget. All I do are quick thumbnails, often just of the detail I want to remember. And they get spread all over in the journal, there is no organization to it. They go on the next blank space or next blank page. That means I have to page through the entire book (I have four books now ) to find a particular sketch. But that isn't bad.