Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Sew What?! A Gratuitous Outfit Post

I'm afraid that there is an epidemic of deafness in our neighborhood and it's ALL OUR FAULT!  Day after day, we stumble out the front door deafening our neighbors with the loudness of whatever crazy get-up we happen to be wearing.  Either that, or they think we're totally insane...


I really don't think of our clothes as "costumes," but I'm almost positive that we have sent at least one neighbor running to the calendar to see if they have missed Halloween.  I'll admit, sometimes it can get a bit theatrical.  After all, who wears western wear on a regular basis?  Who isn't a farmer or a five-year-old child, yet insists on wearing bib overalls?  Who goes on a weekend getaway and takes square dance appropriate garb should the occasion arise?  Who can leave the house in the morning in a 30's-style frock, come home, and after a flurry of teasing combs and a heavy cloud of hairspray, can dash back out the door in a 60's minidress?  (not all of these apply exclusively to Mr. Tiny...hahahaha)

(Photo by P. Oeser III)

Oh yeah, and then there's this...

But this actually WAS Halloween!

Last weekend our friends held their awesome, annual "It's Roughly The 4th of July" barbecue.  It is a huge gathering of folks for some old-fashioned, eating, dancing, and merry making; I thought it would be a good idea for Mary to debut the new, neighbor-confusing, ensemble that I made for her - a 3-piece playsuit.

My newest mania is to purge myself of all the extraneous stuff that I have amassed over the years.
This includes the ungodly fabric pile that, like a creature from a 50's science fiction movie,
continues to grow no matter what I do.  Oh, I'm not supposed to be feeding it more fabric?  Huh.

The blue floral, of indeterminate vintage, was used to make the shorts and the blouse;
 it was something I picked up very inexpensively at a thrift store.  The white overskirt was
 made of fabric that I had to go out and purchase...so much for stash busting! 

In my first attempt at applique (beyond ric rac, trims, etc.), I took portions
 of the fabric used for the shorts and top and "traced" them with a machine,
embroidery stitch onto the oversized pockets of the skirt and then trimmed away
the excess fabric...or something.
Sometimes I just jump into this stuff without any kind of instruction
 or appropriate terminology; I just cross my fingers and hope it all works out.

Side Note: Don't sew with your fingers crossed unless you want them to stay that way.

I kind of used the same technique to make the patches that I added
to the straps of her top.  I had recently seen a similar treatment on a
vintage dress and wanted to give it a go.

I've heard from several people that wearing vintage/vintage inspired clothing results in unwanted attention or worse, derision.  Oddly enough, whenever we go anywhere, I would say that 99.736% of the response we receive from people (friends, neighbors, strangers), as it relates to our clothing, is extremely positive.  As a matter of fact, our style choices often result in compliments, nostalgic remembrances, freebies/discounts, invitations, etc.  Furthermore, while they might still be under the impression that we are insane, most of those neighbors that I'm so worried about believe that we are on one never-ending circuit of dances, photo shoots, elegant soirees, and fancy dress balls.  Since it's a myth the absolute truth, I'll just let them go on believing.


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

34 comments:

  1. Dear Mr. Tiny
    Please can I move in with you so you can make me clothes? I can cook and clean and bake and drive you on your adventures. LOL. Love that playsuit, love your overalls, love it all!

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    1. Our door is always open. How handy are you with a wrench and a plunger?

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  2. You are too awesome for words. Is that show Project Runway still on? If so you should totally apply. I had a friend who was on there about 4 years ago, he didn't make it very far though.

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    1. That is the first time I've ever been accused of being too awesome!! Thank you! I wouldn't make one day on that show...I just pretend to sew. I like to design stuff; sewing is just a necessary evil!

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  3. your comment about the bib overalls is screamingly funny! you guys always look great, and the playsuit is great!

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  4. I am all for gratuitous outfit posts!! My neighbors probably look through their blinds at myself and my friends wondering what the hell is going on too. I have several friends who wear bib overalls and western wear on a regular basis. In fact, one of the determining factors in me falling for my new fella was that he showed up in dark jeans, a western shirt, and sporting a handlebar moustache. Very swoon worthy indeed.

    I have moods. I have been known to wear the occasional Mimi shirt with bad eyeshadow. It makes no sense.

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    1. Well, hopefully there will be more; I've been on a bit of a sewing jag lately. Western is the best -ern (couldn't help it) but yes, the occasion and more importantly, the mood, always dictate our crazy get-ups!

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  5. You shoulda seen the vintage Hawaiian shirt I wore to the Brimfield Flea Market, this morning! You could hear me coming! haha I don't care what anyone thinks. I'm the coolest guy I know! haha Actually, I usually get attractive women telling me they like my clothes. I'm good with that! Last week, the little, hippy checkout girl, at the grocery store, asked me if I was "visiting from the 50's".

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    1. Haha...awesome!!! I wish I could find one of those super-wild, tiki, barkcloth cabana sets and be brave enough to wear it. For as crazy as some of the things I wear are, my legs NEVER see the sun!

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  6. I only get good reactions to my vintage wearing as well. But I never get unwanted attention, I love ALL the attention! hahaha.

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    1. I'm sure you deserve all the attention you get and more. It's crazy, maybe we just focus on the positive stuff, but even when people have asked us if we're in a play or TV show, it is with genuine interest and excitement. I think it's all fun and funny!

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  7. We love to have your type of loud noise and happiness in my neighborhood. Please stop by if you ever visit Tulare County!

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    1. Thanks Doug! Believe it or not, we're in the earliest stages of planning a road trip that will take us right through Tulare County. Hopefully, it will happen later in the year. If we're in the neighborhood, maybe you can show us some wacky tacky landmarks!

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    2. There are a few Treasure that we could show you. Looking forward to it.

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  8. That dress is amazing. I know what dress your referring to. By the way, I now know someone in Portland who has that same dress, although her husband didn't have the matching shirt.

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    1. Hahaha!!! You noticed! Sometimes it's all in the details; when i see one I like, I just have to try and see if I can do it!

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  9. Mr. Tiny, I just love your blog! (I know you hear this all the time, I'm sure, but I just had to say it again.) You really inspire me to just go balls-out and make the kind of vintage-style stuff I love; the loud, happy florals and crazy prints that make my eyes giggle with glee! Phoenix, where I live, is a cultural backwater and I don't have as many places to go "show off" my creations, so I do the best I can. I've recently started a Sewing Circle for me and a few of my sewing friends to sit around and create and hang out together. We're calling it a Hen Party! You are always invited if you ever make it to Phoenix!! LOL!

    Anyway, thank YOU for all that you do! BTW-people think I am nuts too, for some of the things I wear. I love it!

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    1. WOW! Thank you! I am really flattered. I just do what I do because it is all that I know how to do. It truly makes me happy that other people can share in the good times! Actually, I was in Phoenix (very briefly) around this time last year. We ended up just driving through and staying in Scottsdale on a wacky road trip adventure. What Arizona may lack in "culture" it certainly makes up for in beautiful deserts and wonderful, kind people! If I'm ever in your neck of the woods, I would be honored to join the Hens! Thanks again!!!

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  10. I think the outfits that you both wear look wonderful!! And the fact that some (or a lot!) of them are designed and/or made by you is just the icing on the cake!!! Keep up the fantastic work, and don't pay any mind to naysayers!

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    1. Thanks RS! From time immemorial, I have been wearing, thinking about, and/or making funny clothes and have never been one to let the naysayers win. Thanks for the support!

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  11. "After all, who wears western wear on a regular basis?" Yeah, who indeed? *cough*

    I'm actually just starting to learn to sew clothes (brought on by the inevitable demise of my original vintage), and I'm so inspired by the fabulous ensembles you whip up for Mary. If y'all are "loud", sign me up! You two look smashing, and I really love seeing your wacky-tacky garb! Keep it up!

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    1. Hahahaha! Who, indeed? You always look so smart; you make western wear look effortless! Congrats on the new sewing adventure (even though it comes at the loss of some vintage pieces). You have such a keen eye, I can't wait to see what you create! Thank you!!!

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  12. I always love your clothing posts! Mary is one lucky gal. I do have to say that you now have me on a fabric search of my own. I love the purse I won from you, but sadly realized I have nothing to wear it with. Ok not completely true but I needed an excuse to make a top that I visualized after I received my lovely prize. Since it is so awesome, it is on display in my living room as an art piece as it is too pretty to hide in my closet. I've already had compliments on it from a couple of friends and my mom especially. You've gotten me inspired to start sewing again. Thanks Mr. Tiny :D

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    1. Oh COOL! I'm glad you like it! If I can spark a little creativity in someone else, then I feel I've done something good in this world!!! I would love to see the whole outfit when you're done!

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  13. Fabulous! - all the way around! I wish that I had neighbors like you. I'd have to stick my head out of the window and holler, "Love!!" every time that y'all sashay out of the house.

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    1. Thanks Eartha!!! If we were neighbors, you would definitely have unlimited bathroom privileges. Home ownership sounds like such a dream, but I guess it can be a nightmare too. Take care with all your plumbing woes!

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  14. I love the applique - sucah a brilliantly simple idea! I may have to borrow that one... Mary looks amazing!

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    1. Thanks NN! It got a little tedious pivoting around all the curves of the flower petals, but it was pretty easy and something I will definitely try again.

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  15. i would LOVE it if you guys were my neighbor! i would probably ask you for tips because i'm a really boring dresser. that play suit is absolutely perfect!

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    1. I'm telling you, with all the fun that you're having and all the cool stuff that you guys are finding, I think I might be ready to move and become neighbors with you, Lisa, and Eartha! TN is the place to be!!!

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  16. Me oh my, that outfit is so fantastic it makes me want to cry!
    x Molly

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  17. Omg this is amazing! I want someone to make me clothes and play dress-up...could you teach my husband some dressmaking skills, My Tiny? PLEASE?!

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