Is Mine!

Look!  I had a few hours (actually a day) to kill and I made something for myself!

I have been wanting to make a shirt for myself with this material for a while now.  It was given to me by my friends J.R. and David.  They found it during one of their trips Thailand and I think that it is if not hand-printed, at least printed with very nice dyes in a very intricate pattern.
I didn't take a picture of myself modelling it because I don't know how to set up my camera to do that, and also it's so cold that I don't really feel like taking anything off in order to put a new shirt on!  But, believe me, it fits better than anything that I can buy in a store.  As you probably know, I'm a little on the thin side... so most American shirts don't fit me as well as I would like.  If they fit my chest, they are too small in the shoulders.  The label, says "S", but it blouses out at my waist and makes me feel like a pumpkin.
This shirt really is a reminder that diagonal stripes take a bit of skill to align!  If you don't to it perfectly, (especially at the front closure and breast pocket) it looks cheap cheap cheap!  You can tell the cheap clothes because the makers might not pay attention to aligning the pattern while cutting fabric, especially at the sides.  I have always noticed on TV, characters like Dan Conner and Larry the Cable Guy wear flannel shirts with front and back plaid patterns that make no effort to align properly.  I'm sure this was a conscious decision by whomever styled them to make them look low class!

But enough of that tangent.  I will not imagine how cute I am going to look wearing this!

By the way, if you have not noticed by now, I have begun to post short videos of myself on the sidebar, just to share with the world the adorableness that is me.  You're welcome.

Challenge 2 - Potato Sack Party Party

Oh, my.  I've not had ANY time to make anything this week!  This challenge was technically a One Day challenge, but unfortunately, I only had time to work on this dress in three-hour spurts, and it unfortunately shows!

Well, disclaimer aside, for those of you who don't know, this week, the designers were given the task to make cocktail party outfits out of burlap sacks.  It was very interesting that I did indeed have burlap in my stash of fabrics!  I got it as part of a lot that I bought for very cheap at a garage sale.  It was already this red color, I didn't dye it.  I just KNEW this burlap would come in handy some day, and it did!

First of all, I wanted to make sure that I used the stiffness of burlap to my advantage and not fight against its nature and pretend it was a giving fabric.  That is why I knew I wanted to make something that defied gravity.  Those of you that know me well are probably aware that I often curse gravity, especially when it makes things fall just to torment me.  So I was more than willing to make something that said, "HA!  Take That, gravity!"  I think that the collar is an exciting feat of engineering.  Not everyone can figure out how to make a big stand-up collar that, much less one that is part of the bodice (not attached as a separate piece).

But what was I was most excited about when designing this dress is something that you may not have noticed yet.  On one side, it's a bolero jacket, but on the other side, Oh!  It's part of the dress!  It's only a jacket on ONE SIDE!  That's INSANE!!! No one has ever done that before and it's AWESOME!  Forget that this particular dress isn't all that wonderful, if I did an idea like this half jacket again with a real fabric with a different design for the rest of the dress (most likely something simpler without the huge stand-up collar, but with a longer, more elegant skirt), I could have a serious genius moment!  Do It!

So, yeah, I was pretty frustrated making this thing.  The outcome is "okay".  Definitely not something that I am going feel the need to keep in the already-full closet.  But it's also a reminder that when it comes to the TV challenges, I must follow the formula.  As this is only the second episode, I only needed to make something pleasant and well-made to stay in the game (note many of the safe designers as well as the challenge winner made either simple fitted sleeveless shift dresses or plain bodices with dirndl skirts).  Pushing too hard and getting too artsy puts you in danger of being placed into the "strange/misunderstood" position, and those are the ones that get sent away early in the game.  Only get bold and edgy when the judges start to complain that the designs are boring.

Oh, by the way, though.  Raine was very happy that she got to go to the industry party this time around, as she lost out last season to Leonora.  See how happy she is?  Well, she's not smiling, but that's only because burlap is itchy...

Oh, my.  I've not had ANY time to make anything this week!  This challenge was technically a One Day challenge, but unfortunately, I only had time to work on this dress in three-hour spurts, and it unfortunately shows!

Well, disclaimer aside, for those of you who don't know, this week, the designers were given the task to make cocktail party outfits out of burlap sacks.  It was very interesting that I did indeed have burlap in my stash of fabrics!  I got it as part of a lot that I bought from very cheap at a garage sale.  It was already this red color, I didn't dye it.  I just KNEW this burlap would come in handy some day, and it did!


First of all, I wanted to make sure that I used the stiffness of burlap to my advantage and not fight against its nature and pretend it was a giving fabric.  That is why I knew I wanted to make something that defied gravity.  Those of you that know me well are probably aware that I often curse gravity, especially when it makes this fall just to torment me.  So I was more than willing to make something that said, "HA!  Take That, gravity!"  I think that the collar is exciting.


But what was most exciting about when I was designing this dress is something that you might not have noticed yet.  On one side, it's a bolero jacket, but on the other side, Oh!  It's part of the dress!  It's only a jacket on ONE SIDE!  That's INSANE!!! No one has ever done that before and it's AWESOME!  Forget that this particular dress isn't all that wonderful, if I did an idea like this half jacket again with a real fabric with a different design for the rest of the dress (most likely something simpler without the huge stand-up collar, but with a longer, more elegant skirt), I could have a serious moment!  Yeah!

So, yeah, I was pretty frustrated making this thing.  The outcome is "okay".  Definitely not something that I am going to keep.  But it's also a reminder that when it comes to the TV challenges, I must follow the formula.  As this is only the second episode, I only needed to make something pleasant and well-made to stay in the game (note many of the safe designers as well as the challenge winner made either simple fitted sleeveless shift dresses or plain bodices with dirndl skirts).  Pushing too hard and getting too artsy puts you in danger of being placed into the "strange/misunderstood" position, and those are the ones that get sent away early in the game.  Only get bold and edgy when the judges start to complain that the designs are boring.


Oh, by the way, though.  Raine was very happy that she got to go to the industry party this time around, as she lost out last season to Leonora.  See how happy she is?  Well, she's not smiling, but that's only because burlap is itchy...

The Patty Duke Show: The Challenges Begin Again, The Kitty Returns

The theme of this premiere episode was to make a garment that shows "who you are as a designer."  Once again, I understood the directions better than most (haha, I'm so very humble, I know!) and designed a dress that actually means something to me.

The Patty Duke Show is one of my all time favorite vintage TV shows.  Not only was it cutting edge for it's time (the split screen effect they used to show Patty playing two different characters on screen at the same time was nothing short of magical), but the storyline and characters and all-over fun kept the show interesting.

I remember one episode in particular that has stayed with me.  Short story is: Cathy made a cute little jumper dress with a kitty on the front.  All the girls at school wanted one after they saw it, and Cathy, wanting to please people, started making dresses for everybody and soon realized that not only was she overwhelmed and underpaid, but no one understood how much work went into making the dresses.


So here's my psychology lesson, but bear with me, it has a promising ending.  Cathy's Kitty dress dilemma somewhat parallels my ongoing journey as a designer/stitcher (which is what you call a male seamstress).  I know the most people don't understand that clothing isn't something that you effortlessly "whip up."  And listen, I still am not above paying my dues.  I've hemmed pants, sewn pillow cases, altered curtains, upholstered cushions, etc.  So, to me, this kitty dress represents my ongoing desire for people to regard me as a good designer and clothing maker, and not just someone who simply knows how to use a sewing machine.

But you know something that I realized?  People are starting to respect me as a designer more and more, which makes me SO happy!  For example, this year I made some garments for friends and family as gifts, and for one, I offered to go with his idea for a canvas bag to hold a floormat, and he told me that he would rather like me to make him a pair of pants.  I don't think he has any idea how much that meant to me!  To know that people have confidence that I will produce good clothing makes me gain twice as much confidence in my own work!  So, thank you, Easter Bunny!


So, what can I say about this particular dress as it comes to the particular challenge for which it was intended?  Backstory aside, this dress says that as a designer, I am a little retro, a little urban, a little punk, a little whimsical.  And most importantly, I want to say that my style is super-cute and well-made and super well-fitted!

Would this design win me the challenge?  Maybe, maybe not.  They would probably say that it is a little "costumey side," although I can totally see a girl going to a underground European dance club wearing this.  If I made this dress again, I would not add the buttons on the collar and I wouldn't angle of the bodice/skirt connection like that.  Straight across would probably be less "interesting" but more flattering, after all.  The dress ain't bad, though.  It would keep me in and that is what is important in the first rounds!


In closing, this dress's theme may look familiar to my long time fans as I have made a slightly less-edgy version of the kitty jumper (OMG, two years ago!) for the Kidney.  Compare and contrast.

Knight Rider Mechanic Chick. April, not Bonnie...


On Knight Rider, there was the "eye candy" auto mechanic chick who was always there in the back of the big tuck to do maintenance on KITT when Micheal came back from whatever heroic ordeal he had juct performed. The first was named "Bonnie," who was rather... handsome. I always preferred her replacement, April, played by the more estrogen-featured Rebecca Holden.




I'm not sure exactly what I was thinking when I decided to make a pair of coveralls as a fashion statement. I mean, they aren't really meant to look nice or fashionable, they are used to protect the clothing underneath. It is quite arguable, however, since there IS something incredibly sexy about what coveralls may or may not be hiding, and you are usually doing something dirty while wearing them.


So I did envision this outfit as a "racer pit crew" chick who works on cars, zips off the top of the coveralls, and then goes and waves the checkered flag in all her greasy sexiness. This is, I suppose, an excercise in making something that looks more gritty and less meticulous than I am used to. It took just as long, however, to make something that looked thrown together, just like, and I have said this before, spending hours on your hair to make it look like you just rolled ot of bed.


There are a few details on this outfit that serve a purpose. The fabric is heavy-ish, but has a good stretch on them so my girl can bend and squat to change tires with ease. The lower part of the pants have zippers on each side so she doesn't have to take her shoes off when she changes out of her outfit. each shoulder has a gathered shoulder "pad" covering to mimic the shoulder safety pads the drivers wear. The top and bottom front are all attached to one zipper, although I did my "boobie" treatment on top so that the front isn't meant to close at the bust. After all, in fashion, Sexiness>Functionality.

The thing that started this whole concept was the fabric that I used for the yellow tank top. Well over a year ago, the Shell station near my house was having a promotion for racing. They lined the lawn with flags of #29, Kevin Harvick, the driver of the car they were sponsoring, and when the promotion was over, I took one of the flags. I wish that I had remembered to take a picture of what it looked like before I cut it up! Nonetheless, it looked a lot like this.




Personally, I like the way this looks with the top down!
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Rhoda Morgenstern: Beaded Curtains and Egg-Shaped Seams

Well, you know... You put a head wrap on anyone and automatically she's Rhoda, but that's what made Valerie Harper a fashion icon of her time. The video on the right is the opening theme from Season 3 of "Rhoda." I chose that one not only because it's the opening that shows off her headwraps the most, but strangely enough, I remember this opening from when I was a kid! (I was three when this season aired). I specifially remember the shot of Julie Kavner trying to be as pretty as Rhoda by wearing the scarf on her head and thinking, "She'll never be as pretty as that other girl."

Also, the season one theme is kind of annoying with all the talking, especially the "New York, this is yuh last chyance!" line. Nonetheless, if you'd like to see it, you can do so by clicking here.

Frustratingly, I tried to make this outfit another three-piece with a jacket over the white turtleneck (it's not newly-made. I've used it twice before as an undergarment). I wanted it use the sheer fabric that eventually became the "shawl" first as drapy sleeves on a cropped jacket, and then a sheer blouse after the jacket attempt failed. If you look closely at the pattern, it looks like a beaded curtain, very 70's. The two attempts at a top, though, turned out so badly that I finally turned the remaining fabric into a simple drape over the shoulders. I don't feel too badly about using it as an accessory because I think the outcome looks nice and still has an "urban bohemian" quality about it that I was going for. The only thing I feel bad about is that if I had done this drape thing to begin with, the outfit would have been finished two days ago.

So it's now pretty much all about the skirt if you are looking at what was "designed" about this outfit. I like the skirt. It's a complicated piece that ends up looking easy and natural, which is good. It's like when you spend hours on your hair to make it look like you just rolled out of bed and it looked like that. If you examine it closely, it's a meld of an ever-so-slightly flared straight skirt with a pants-like upper area and a tiered peasant skirt. See it? The hem that separates the two parts is egg-shaped and tips to the back and is totally asymetrical and required much skill to accomplish! I can totally see this being re-created for real in suede, denim, or even corduroy. Again, very 70's and very cool.

Also! TERCIARY WIG UPDATE! This wig is the second to celebrate a third anniversary of use! And it's a men's wig! Happy third use "New Jesus!"

BONUS QUESTION:

Who's The Mary?  Who's the Mary?

(email answers to me or better yet, leave a comment here.  Fastest winning answer gets a prize!)



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About Me

Thank you so much for visiting!

My name is Andrew MacLaine and currently I live in Palm Springs, California.  I have enjoyed making clothing ever since I took my first costume construction class in college.  It came as a great surprise to discover that I was actually pretty good at it!  Since then, I have studied fashion and theatrical clothing design, pattern drafting, fashion history, and wig design.


Throughout the years, I have worked as a costumer with varying frequency.  However, a few years ago, I began making clothing for a friend of mine, just for fun, and began to rediscover my passion for creating modern clothing with show-like flavor. Manyf people were impressed by my work, but I wasn't sure I had a "signature style."  It wasn't until another friend of mine pointed out, "What do you mean you don't have a style? All your clothes are inspired by old TV shows!  You made an "I Love Lucy" cheetah print dress!  You made a Patty Duke dress!  THAT'S your style!!"

She was right! 

I LOVE classic TV shows.  I always have.  Growing up, I loved especially watching shows that were technically "before my time."  They were and are so dear to my heart, and thinking of them makes me happy.  So, I thought to myself, why don't I create a signature line inspired by what particular characters might wear today, while still staying true to their respective shows and time periods?