Sew What?! Sarong That It's Right

As is the case with most home-garment-construction workers (a new phrase I've coined to make my chosen hobby sound more masculine and avoid the easily misread, "sewer"), I go through periods of inspirational and motivational drought.  Months will pass before I realize that beyond some minor mending, I haven't sewn a single stitch.

As it inevitably does, the pendulum has a way of swinging back to the opposite extreme and I find myself chained to my trusty Bernina, forgoing wild nights in the pursuit of wild, wacky tacky wear.  I often refer to my sewing area as "Mr. Tiny's workshop;" when it more closely resembles "Mr. Tiny's Sweatshop," however, I begin to sympathize with Betty Hutton.

"The Sewing Machine" - Betty Hutton in
The Perils of Pauline (1947)

Currently in the midst of a sewing binge, I am doing my best to cut through the huge stash of fabric that I have been amassing.  For years I have been successfully whittling away at the yards and yards and yards and yards of a particular Marimekko print that I happened to buy at very deep discount in every available colorway.  The 1960 print from the Finnish manufacturer is called "Tulipunainen" which, according to a very perfunctory Google search, translates to "vermilion" - although one shouldn't expect an accurate representation of color here because every picture I upload seems to change color drastically.

Even though it is of decidedly-Scandinavian origin, I can't help but get a tropical inspiration every time I see this print; I like to think of Tulipunainen as the Thor Heyerdahl of the fabric world.

Heyerdahl was Norwegian and Marimekko is Finnish
but come hell AND high water, both managed to find
the South Pacific somehow.

With all the boldness of one of 20th-Century tiki's founding fathers, I set out on my own polynesian adventure to discover if I could create a two-piece semi-sarong(ish) outfit for Mary.

Mary has encouraged me to include a sketch with all
of my "Sew What?!" posts.  I'm a little shy about sharing
my drawings so we'll see how long this lasts.

 While technically not a sarong (the skirt does not wrap, the front panel is just a large drape), Mary felt it wasn't so-wrong and decided to wear it mere moments after I finished sewing on the last button.

Dorothy Lamour this ain't but
it's sarong that it's right, right?

She wore it to up her wild ante while performing at a Wild Records show;
I'm thinking she should be the poster child for their offshoot label - Mild Records.

All of our favorite photographer friends were in attendance
but nobody brought a proper camera.  I don't blame them
but I sure was hoping I wouldn't have to rely on my
meager point-and-shoot-and-pray technique.

Do you sew?  Have you been stuck at your sewing machine lately?  Have you ever made a sarong-style outfit?  Does this Finnish fabric have you singing Aloha 'Oe?  Until the next time I get a break from my self-imposed sweatshop, I'll settle for that lilting, island melody as played on the electric organ.

"Aloha 'Oe"

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

TLC is TCB: Wives with Beehives

Several months ago, I shared this photo of a
Marimekko outfit that I made for Mary, remember?

If you recall, I mentioned that it was for a top secret project.  Well, the cat is finally out of the bag.  If you read The Hollywood Reporter or subscribe to some of the same blogs that I follow, like Ranch Dressing with Eartha Kitsch, you may have already heard about a little reality special called, Wives with Beehives, that will air on December 27 on TLC.  Mary and I were asked to be guests at a pool party scene they were filming and you might just catch a brief glimpse of us (no promises) in the show.  While the name, Wives with Beehives, doesn't quite accurately describe the women on the show, it is a catchy title and we will surely be watching - mostly because three of the four stars are our friends!

LESLIE

Leslie as Santa's helper

Leslie Buckley, one of the four featured wives, is already like a celebrity in our neck of the woods.  Statuesque and gorgeous are really the only two words to describe her and she is instantly recognizable.  She is a devoted wife, a mother, and a businesswoman.  Stay tuned for more on Leslie as it appears TLC will be running multiple trailers that feature each of the wives.

DOLLIE

Dollie DeVille, The Rockabilly Socialite doing her thing!
(Source)

If you follow any vintage lifestyle blogs, then you are probably more than familiar with Dollie DeVille, The Rockabilly Socialite.  Dollie, is a wife, cook, crafter, blogger, and working woman.  Her awesome, 50's prom-themed wedding was featured here on wacky tacky and we know that she and her husband, Zack will win everyone over with their commitment to the vintage lifestyle. 

I know it's not about me, but you can see my feet dancing at 0:02-0:02:005 Hahahahaha!!!

AMBER

Amber & Mr. Tiny jumping for joy

You might remember Amber Foxx from being featured a million times on our blog.  Amber Foxx is the preeminent rockabilly songstress of Southern California and has toured the world (most recently returning from a two-week engagement in Australia) with her band.  

Amber & the boys (Chris, Tommy, and Bobby)
(Source)

wacky tacky has featured her pink dressing room, her cowgirl/boy birthday party, and the epic desert adventure day we enjoyed with Amber and her husband, Bobby.  We love spending time with these folks and are always welcomed with open arms when we unexpectedly (and frequently) drop by their house.  We told them that they had better get their coattails reinforced because we will most definitely be riding them!  HA!

Aren't they particularly lovable?

We are lucky to count these gals (and their respective husbands) among our friends; I hope that when they become big television stars, they will remember us!  I'm sure that they will give you no reason to do otherwise, but please be kind in your reviews of the show.  Remember, while reality shows may be slightly enhanced versions of what is "real," the people on the show are very REAL with REAL friends who will give you a REAL bop in the kisser if you're crummy about 'em.  I'm so happy for my friends' success and I truly can't wait to see how it all comes together on December 27!  I should mention that there is a fourth wife named Shelby; she can be seen in the first trailer featuring Dollie & Zack.  I don't know her, nor have I ever met her, but I do look forward to getting to know her along with the rest of the viewing audience on December 27.

The whole gang (l to r)
Bobby, Dollie, Zack, Leslie, Amber, Melissa, Nicole, Mary, Bud, and Ben
(Mr. Tiny was playing cameraman)

Wives with Beehives will air on TLC on Thursday, December 27 at 10pm - check your local listings (never thought I'd get a chance to say that)

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Sew What?! Mary-mekko

My parents did a good job with our names (Mr. Tiny seems like a bit of an unconventional choice but when you see a beatific, little, infant male, "Mr. Tiny" starts making a whole lot of sense).  Mary in particular works with so many puns, plays-on-words, rhyming couplets, etc.  Not only that, but how many songs are written for and about "Mary" - answer, like a million.

"Mary's A Grand Old Name" - Tom Burke

"Mary, Mary" - The Monkees

"Mary, Mary" Run DMC

Along the way in my highly-sordid and meandering career path, I worked for a large retailer that had a unique relationship with the Finnish fabric manufacturer, Marimekko.  For those unfamiliar with the company, Marimekko was founded in 1949 as a maker of oilcloth.  The company switched gears rather quickly and really took off when the fabric designs (heavily influenced by a mid-century Scandinavian aesthetic) were printed on sturdy cotton and turned into a small line of dresses and skirts.

A sample of early Marimekko apparel from the book,
Marimekko, by Marianne Aav
(Source)

Designer, Maija Isola's  Unikko by Marimekko
This iconic floral is probably their most
 well-known (and imitated) design.

Marimekko's international popularity blossomed in the 1960's when their oversized, mod patterns

became part of the American domestic landscape with table linens, dishes, decorator fabric, clothing, and even toys.

I love this one!

 Other Marimekko prints

(Source)

I guess that all of this information is the most circuitous and roundabout method of telling you about "Mary-mekko," the Marimekko outfit I made for Mary.  Last weekend we took part in a top secret mission that "required" a new outfit for Mary.  All I can say is that there was a VERY loose theme - 50's, tiki, pool party.

Once upon a time, when I worked for the aforementioned
retailer, we used my favorite of all Marimekko prints,
1960's "Tulipunainen" by designer, Maija Isola.
  This fabric was printed in many colorways, and when
it became available for employee purchase,
I bought yards and yards and yards of each color. 

To be perfectly forthright, I have never used purple much in my designs; it is one color that just doesn't appeal to me as much as the rest of the spectrum.  Thusly, this particular length of material had languished at the bottom of my fabric hoardings for many years.  The tonal purples (none of them a rich, bright purple) and the awesome print, however, made this material a definite winner in my book.  Moreover, I knew (in the sick way that hoarders are always able rationalize their behavior) that this fabric would one day come in handy and make the perfect outfit.

   

Inspired by a top that was recently made by my friend
 Lauren at Wearing History, another pattern that I altered to
make her a top for VLV, and the very brief period
of time I was alloted to accomplish this project
(about 5 hours), this is the "Finnish-ed" product -
a ruffled, crop top and a gathered skirt.

I had to laugh at the outcome because I made it out of Scandinavian fabric designed in the 60's, for a 50's-themed Polynesian party, and the result was a little Mexican folky. Unlike the rest of the clothes I make for her, this one was actually pretty quick and simple (as they relate to my middling ability to sew) and she swore that she'd actually wear it again!

Unfortunately, we were in a rush on the day of the secret mission,
and I wasn't sure if cameras were allowed, so I didn't get pictures
of her outfit until long after dark at which time it had become
apparent that my jokes had lost all of their potency.
This is the face of low tolerance.

She carried a large, vintage rattan basket purse that I threw
a fabric medallion/flower adornment on right before we walked
out the door.

Not knowing whether she should say, "Hei,""Aloha," or "Buenos Dias,"
Mary added a hothouse full of orchids to her hair and loaded her arms down
with all of her bamboo bangles to up the tiki ante.  Would you believe
that her bamboo earrings were crafted that morning out of napkin rings?
  Well, believe it!

When the time comes, I'll be able to show & tell a little bit more about our secret mission.  Until then, Mahalo from wacky tacky!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny