27
Aug
Esquire Theme by Matthew Buchanan
Social icons by Tim van Damme
27
Aug
11
Aug
First I’d like to thank the amazing BOBBIN SEW BAR + CRAFT LOUNGE located in the Old North End, Burlington, VT for hosting me on their front lawn for the 2010 Ramble. I’d also like to send a big, mushy thank you to all of the lovely ramblers who stopped by (who have hopefully been able to access this blog from the business card).
By the numbers, at the Ramble Gracy’s Green Earth…
-made 7 sales
-gave away 20+business cards
-Met about 60 Ramblers
-burnt approximately 30 square in. of skin
)
For more information of the Ramble (and to see what you missed) go to http://www.theramble.org/
If you’re unfamiliar with the Bobbin Sew Bar, check them out too at http://thebobbin.com/
28
Jul
Fact: The average American discards about 68 pounds of clothing and textiles per year.
14
Jul
Repurposing Project: Oversized Shirt to a Bandage Skirt
EASY to make, ELASTIC free, Bandage Skirt!
1.) Head out to your local watering hole and quench your thirst with an assortment of LARGE, STRETCHY, shirts.
*Check out Men’s polos, Women’s turtlenecks, etc.
*Test for stretch horizontally, spandex-cotten blends work best
*Keep an eye out for stripes, floral patterns, and bright colors!
*Check for stains before purchasing
*wash before sewing
2.) If you already own a bandage skirt, and like the fit, it would be easiest to lay it flat on the fabric and copy the pattern. If not, it is easy to guestimate a shape because the stretch fabric is very forgiving. To do this, cut out a rectangle that’s width is a few inches smaller than half of your waist/thigh measurements. Sew it into a tube.
*Use the side of the shirt as one seam, so you only need to sew one stretch of fabric. Also, use the bottom of the shirt so you won’t need to hem it.
*Use zig-zag stictch if you don’t have a serger.
*Put some thought into thread choice, For this bandage skirt I used yellow to match the stripes.
4.) cut a small strip of fabric 5-7 inches. It’s width should be a few inches shorter than the tube you just created. It will serve as the top of the skirt, acting like elastic. This strip should be folded in half (width wise) as to double up the fabric. Next, sew it into a tube and attach it to the top of the large rectangle.
*Sew it onto the large rectangle from the inside, so the seam doesn’t show.
*As you’re sewing, you will need to stretch the top piece out to match the width of the bottom piece. Be sure to use pins to make this easier.
*If you don’t have enough material for the top piece, or just feel like switching it up, try contrasting fabric!
5.) Slap on a belt&tank, blazer&tights, or hoody&slippers, and hit the town (or the couch) WITHOUT stepping into that certain store with the ever so convincing racy, lacy, spread-legged advertisements (ahem, American Apparel.)
28
Jun
6/4- 1st VINTAGE shop visit: The Getup in Burlington
The Getup is located in a small room crammed upstairs, but the space has been manipulated to create a vibe that is translated to the customer the instant they enter the door. I think the following details were largely responsible for curating Why-didn’t-I-live-in-the 60’s?! and Guess-vintage-clothing-is-the-closest-I-can-get feelings.
1.) MUSIC, The Getup had a shelf of records and a turntable. I believe Bob Dylan was playing when I walked in-a definite hook. I can attest that the powers of Dylan made me want to shred my modern clothing (or perhaps recycle it) and purchase an outfit that was more timely.
2.)AN ECLECTIC ASSORTMENT OF WALL DECORATIONS- The Getup’s wall displayed vintage tees, a Frida Kahlo portrait, Elvis, a framed unicorn painting, and more. The effect is reminiscent of walking into your best friend’s older brother’s room, and the rushed attempt to absorb the images on all of the posters and foriengn items before he kicks you out.
3.) COLORFUL SHELVING/INTERESTING DISPLAYS- The antique display case and vintage color palette was a nice touch. I also really liked the dressing rooms which were made from funky fabric draped from the ceiling.
Stay tuned to see these ideas applied to Gracy’s Green Earth in the future :)
23
Jun
6/4- 4rd thrift shop visit: The Salvation Army in Winooski
Upcoming projects used from Salvation army purchases:
-cutoff jeans
-distressed/ burnout tees
-bandage skirts
03
Jun
5/29 3rd thrift shop visit: The South Royalton Area Senior Citizen Center (S.R.A.S.C.C.)
28
May
A few items purchased from The Bene-Fit shop.
See Etsy listings at http://www.etsy.com/shop/going2graceland