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

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

Queen Mary: A Royal Wedding

On Saturday, June 23, we were fortunate enough to be guests at the wedding of our good friends Jesse and Emily.  

The happy couple, Emily and Jesse
Don't they look like the perfect cake toppers?

You probably already know Emily as she and her love letter to old Hollywood, The Silver Screen Affair, have been mentioned numerous times in the annals of wacky tacky.  If you're a lover of classic films and Hollywood glamour, then be sure to check out her blog.  Although, it may be kind of quiet around there for a couple of weeks as they are enjoying a tropical honeymoon.

Emily looked picture perfect in a vintage, 50's,
lace wedding gown and handmade veil.
I love this photo of her, pre-nuptials.

The ceremony was held at a beautiful, historic Catholic church and the reception was in The Queen's Salon on the Queen Mary, a stunning steamliner and one of the premier examples of well-preserved Art Deco in Southern California.

Dappled in the light of the afternoon sun, St. John's
was a beautiful setting for a wedding ceremony.

The getaway car complete with tin cans and "Just Married" banner!

The Queen's Salon aboard the Queen Mary - pretty majestic if you ask me.
You can just barely make out Holly, of The Temperamental Broad, on the right.
I should have been taking a lot more pictures, but I was too busy making a fool
of myself on the dance floor.

Why do I always have to sit at the kids' table?

Mary, Amber, Paul, Jordan, Memo, Ben, and Nicole

I didn't really want to do a feature exclusively on the wedding itself because Emily is a pretty private person and their wedding wasn't so much wacky tacky as it was traditional, elegant, and gracious.  For the record, I like both but I have a hard time behaving like a grown up at either!  So, here are a few snaps of our hijinks aboard the R.M.S. Queen Mary featuring the suit that I made Mary for the occasion.

I really have no idea where the inspiration came from on this one except that I love this kooky color combination and sometimes I like to try and challenge myself a little - two days, three pieces, and a  marginal skill set (I have never sewn a proper collar of any kind before).

Apparently I have developed such a reputation for turning
placemats into hats, that everyone immediately assumed
that was the case for this verdant topper.  This was actually a
 vintage hat that I got from a friend a few years ago.

Mr. Tiny & Mary gettin' groovy.
Once I start, I just can't stop.
(photo by Amber U.)

I am the worst kind of shopper.  I have a very specific idea of what I am looking for before I go out shopping and expect whatever it is to be in the store, happily waiting for me to buy it, at a discounted price.  Needless to say, I spend a lot of time disappointed.  Imagine my surprise when my first attempt to find a chartreuse-y colored fabric, with enough weight to be suitable for a suit and enough drape  to make it feminine, was peeking out of a row of totally dissimilar fabric just waiting for me.  It was the right color, the right price, and there was just enough left on the bolt for my project!!!  That NEVER happens.

The green gloves were bought on a road trip to
Hearst Castle and the red baubles were on loan
from a friend.  Here's Mary wishing that she
didn't have to give them back.

There's room for a dumbbell joke in there somewhere.

I have to stick with the dumbbell jokes; after seeing some
 of the pictures of Mary (including this one with the bride),
she has already been referred to as the Jolly Green Giant!

The free bonus of the evening came when were about to leave the party and ran into a group of friends who just happened to be touring the ship that night.  We ended up joining their tour and I'm almost positive from the looks we were receiving, that guests of the hotel were starting to believe that the Queen Mary was indeed haunted!

Congratulations Emily and Jesse!  It was a particularly beautiful wedding and we really appreciate you allowing us to participate in your special day.  We don't even have to wish it for you, we already know that you'll live happily ever after!  

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Get Your FREAK On: Just Your Average Family Freak Show!!!

Last weekend we celebrated some family birthdays, namely Mary and my nephew, Patrick.  Their birthdays are just a few days apart, so we decided a co-birthday party was the right way to go.  Typically, I'm not big on themed anything - rooms, parties, restaurants.  Unless, of course, the theme is Side Show Freaks!  Prepare yourselves for a picture-heavy post!

The genesis of our party was a slide we saw during a Big Retro Slide Show by Charles Phoenix .  The slide featured a mid-century image of a carousel birthday cake.  I was bound and determined to make such a cake and feature it on the blog.  Mary insisted that I wait and save the cake for an actual event, the kind of event where people gather and celebrate a birth by indulging in cake.  A birthday party was born!!!

The cake wasn't exactly like this, but you get the idea.
I almost wish I had seen this photo before we started...I guess I'll
just have to make another carousel cake.

As we mulled over the possibilities for such a party, I decided that a circus theme was just a little too square.  Considering myself rather hep, I tend to shy away from anything hip, I reckoned a side show party (a bit trendy) would allow for a little bit of circus (for the 2-year-old) and a little bit of freak show (for the 19-year-old). 

Before entering the "Big Top," party-goers were stopped for a photo-op 

behind our hand-painted side show posters.

Details of The Tattooed Lady. 

I doubt I'll be getting any offers to appear on LA Ink.

The "Big Top" was the dining room where the centerpiece was the
aforementioned carousel cake.  We hung streamers to recreate the tent ceiling.

A close up of the cake.
I made the carousel canopy from striped fabric and gold ric rac
stretched across a doll's parasol frame that we found at a discount store.
The poles are paper straws that held the birthday candles.

A side show wouldn't be complete without side show performers.
The matriarch and patriarch of our Family Freak Show and
our assortment of human oddities!

The Snake Charmer

The Birthday Boy, a reluctant Strong Man

The Circus Geek

Mr. Tiny,  Circus Geek (or maybe just a regular geek)

The Gypsy Fortune Teller

The Tattooed Lady & The Elephant Man

The Bearded Lady

The Bird Man

A Living Mermaid
(not of the Fiji variety)

The Human Blockhead

Real Siamese Twins

Schlitzie, The Pinhead

Twins of a different Nature

The Big Cat Tamer

Every guest was encouraged to have their fortune told.
After gazing into the crystal ball, and examining their palms, our fortune teller
presented earnest seekers with their fortune in the form of a fortune cookie!

I used my vintage ceramic caddies/valets to serve candy.  Now that's a hungry, hungry hippo!!!

We replaced many of our photos with pictures of our lesser-known family
 members including, The Dog-Face Boy, Alligator Boy, and The Tattooed Lady.

We filled in the nooks and crannies with my collection of carnival chalkware.

My favorite part was the candy table which featured popcorn, peanuts, pretzels,
penny candy, circus peanuts, circus animal cookies, red vines, swirled lollipops,
cotton candy, chocolate, and so much more.

The candy table was presided over by our second birthday cake,
The BEARDED LADY CAKE!!!

The backyard was strung with lights and balloons and set the
stage for hot dogs and lemonade, our Bearded Lady DJ,
and a set by the ultimate freak show, Thee Cormans!

The plan was to have Mary and the Birthday Boy blow out the candles together,
but by this point in the evening, he had given up, so Mary was left to her own devices.
Given her technique, I think we were lucky to have a spittle shield built into the cake!

Like I said, he had given up.
Somewhere in the world there is a stark-naked Strong Man running around. 

Fish out of water - a reclining mermaid

A detail of her be-shelled hair comb.

Who invited the regular folks?!!!
Charles, Jody, and Kevin representing the non-freak faction.
No matter, "Gooble gobble, gooble, gobble, we accept you, one of us!"

There's a joke here that's just dying for a punch line;
So The Elephant Man, a Mermaid, and a Tattooed Lady
walk into a bar....

Would you believe that the geek on the right is a vegetarian, chicken sitter?

I'm pretty sure this was the happiest day of her life!

Love this pic!

No matter where I went, their eyes seemed to follow me!

It just wouldn't be a Mr. Tiny production without a fireside sing-a-long.

We were even treated to some punkin' strummin' by the newly-
bifurcated Siamese Twin, Amber Foxx.

It might not have been "The GREATEST Show on Earth," but it
was a real wing ding and a heck-of-a-lot of fun.

A HUGE Thank you to all in attendance!  I really didn't think anyone was going to get dressed up, but everyone truly outdid themselves with spectacular variety and aplomb!  Can't wait till the side show blows back into town again!

Once again, the well-framed, well-lit, well-composed photographs are courtesy of Jessica Stopnik Photography.  I am hopeless behind a camera (not to mention in front) and I rely on her great skill and talent.

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny