Corsets - Just Cuz

Kathleen is the corset expert.. trust me.  

She's got an encyclopedia's worth up in her noggin.  

Me?  I just think they's pretty.

Christina Hendricks looking like a romance novel cover.

A Victorian Corset

Corset Pattern from 1906

Detail of a corset from 1780 from the book 18th Century Fashion In Detail

The book Underwear: Fashion In Detail

The interior of a corset from 1878

Philip - In Brooklyn 

More fun with flower-making...tiny cocktail hat: Part 1

Hello Everyone,

Over the Christmas break, I broke into my out-of-control extensive collection of ribbon and went on a marathon of rosette-making, trying different trims and techniques.

I thought it would be really fun to create a lil' cocktail hat (of sorts) that is festooned in tiny ribbon roses.
Something I could wear when I have drinks lunch with The Ladies, ya know?

So.... I made a small headband-style frame out of wire with a pointed front:

Aluminum wire covered with scraps of printed black cotton.  Heavyweight non-fusible interfacing is used to interline the point for smoothness and comfort.  All edges are clean-finished and whipstitched closed along the back.



Yep, stays in place like a headband! 

 Then I started pinning all the various silver roses on it:

Mmmm-Hmmm!!!  
This hat is intended to be worn with an updo.....think I might add a veil too!

More to come!!

-Kathleen

Fun with Xmas clearance ribbon...

Hey Y'all! 
Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas holiday! 

We have been hard at work creating and finishing beautiful projects to share with our readers.
While on the subjects of beautiful projects....isn't Philip's latest sweater (Seawolf) f'ing A-MaZING!?!?

It's not every day you find detailed blogs on MEN'S KNITTING, right?! 
Ugh, so much WOOOORK-ness!!

Anyhoo, here are some lil' quickie fun projects I completed just in time to wear for Xmas:  A couple of ribbon rosettes made from holiday ribbon I found for 60% off at Michael's a few weeks ago.

Big-ass Christmas rosette made with 2 different printed ribbons.  Glitter stamen centers (found in the cake-making section @ Michael's) The leaves are 2 different colors of green organza ribbon for just the right sparkle 'n pop!

Another Christmas rosette, made with 2 different kinds of "peppermint twist" printed ribbon for that Willy Wonka effect, lol.   The unusual pill-shaped stamen centers add to the weirdness.  Leaves are pre-cut microsuede available by-the-yard at Stone Mountian & Daughter fabric store, in Berkeley, CA. 

A under-view of the "Willy Wonka" rosette.  Note the matching red clip.  I was super-stoked to discover good quality painted metal clips at the beauty supply down the street...YAY!

-Kathleen, in Oakland

Seawolf - Finito!

          Hey there P.H. peeps!  So the day has finally come Seawolf is FINISHED!!!  I got distracted by projects that had due dates but that's forgivable.  In order to finish my baby boy all I had to do was set in the sleeves.  So I pinned those mugs in place and used the yarn tails and back stitched them in place stretching slightly after a few stitches to make sure the seam didn't tighten.  Then I wove in all the loose ends and VOILA, a finished sweater!

CHECK IT!

Please forgive my appearance...

I was snowbound indoors that day so cut me some slack.

For your enjoyment I've included the video "Wicked Blood" by the band Seawolf.  

One of my faves.  Enjoy!

Philip - In Brooklyn

Sea Wolf - Ribbed for Everyone's Pleasure!

            The snow fell in record numbers last night.  Almost 20" in some places!  Hopefully this reaches the outside world before we run out of provisions.  I'm sure it will, the internets is crazy magic.  Since I have so much indoor time on my hands I thought this would prove to be the perfect opportunity to share with you the ribbed collar and pocket ribs I hooked up on Seawolf.

           I learned from a video on machine knitting back in the day how to construct and finish a sweater.  The nice lady recommended sewing on shoulder together then rehanging the neck line back on the machine so you can attach and knit the collar rib all at once.  After the Neck rib is finished you can cast off the rib and seam the other shoulder and neck rib all at once.  It's a great idea and works like a charm.  The only thing I find tedious is casting off rib knit so I found another way to work it out.  So my system is to hold the neck line up to the machine to see how many needles I will need to rib.  But instead of hanging the sweater back onto the machine i just knit the rib as you would any other piece of the sweater.  

          When you reach the proper width you desire you just transfer all the needles onto the knitter and then hang the neckline onto the machine (purl side facing you).  Then you crochet cast off and BOOYAH!  

          The ribbing is complete and sewed on all in one simple and easy step.  The only thing you have to keep in mind is that when conventionally knitting you normally have your end stitches on the knitter, but since you are knitting so that you will be sewing right sides together you will need to have your end stitches on the ribber.  On a crew neck or "U" shaped neck line you can knit the neck rib all in one piece.  On other shapes such as V-Necks and Shawl Collars like mine you will need to knit in two pieces and seam at the shoulder.

           For the ribbing on the pockets I did the same thing.  I used the tails to sew the sides to the body in place.  They turned out just right!  Next up... Attaching the sleeves to the body!

Philip - In Brooklyn

Back to WOOORK!! 12-27-10

            For those of us who have to work this Monday I know that we'll need all the help we can get.  Luckily we have Louise Brooks to help us out.  And thankfully she came with reinforcements... her ensemble!!  Now get back to WOOORK!!

 

Philip - In Brooklyn

I Wanna Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Yall!  

Go get some spiked nog and try not to punch your brother/sister too hard!

Here's hoping you have a good time!

 

 

Philip - In Brooklyn

Twas the Night Before the Night Before Christmas

            And not creature was stirring except the Arrow Shirt Collar Man, reading this classic Christmas tale so a few lucky kids.  Obviously they aren't his kids.  He's too stylish to be saddled with rugrats.  So have a delicious cognac you deserve it. 

 

Philip - In Brooklyn

Back to WOOORK!! 12-20-10

           Well it's the Monday before Christmas but it's still time to get back to WOOORK!! And since Christmas in the air that means it's time for the endless commercials with lame gift ideas for that special lady in your life.  All the ads that interrupt my stories remind me of one of my favorite "parfume" spots.  Allow this to be the inspiration you'll need to wooork through those rough days before a long weekend.

Philip - In Brooklyn

Black Beauty - Just a Taste

            Hey there Patterned History Readers!  I've been beading on Black Beauty off and on and I felt I should throw a picture up to tide you over for a little bit.  I've been adding some beads to the bodice to mirror the beads trickling down the skirt.  So far it's looking pretty rad.  Let me know what you think.

Philip - In Brooklyn