Duck Cloth Vest

 I think this is version 5.  Pretty much the same as before, but with some tweaking of the pattern.  Also trying out the vegetable ivory buttons to see how they look.

This vest was supposed to have a 43 1/2" chest, but came out 42 3/4".  I haven't figured out why, but I'll have to make another one today that's the right size.  Stitching issues also occurring.  Only about 4 weeks to get all the samples finished for the Slowboat project.

Weekend Project

 Katie and I did some indigo dyeing a few weekends ago.  It's for a duvet cover; somewhat inspired by the vintage Japanese futon covers.  It's not as dark as we'd like, but it'll still look good once I sew it all together.

Allen, Jack, Neil, Carolyn

Slowboat Films

The filmmaker M. A. Littler is making another film, this time set in Northern California.  Here's a short preview.



Funds are being raised for the film via crowdfunding at http://www.indiegogo.com/LOSTCOAST

I suppose a "full disclosure" is in order at this time.  I'm working with the filmmaker on a line of clothes.  That's the project that I've been so busy with.  So, you know, I dig what they do, but I've also got some things in the works with them.

By the way, I highly recommend the other work by Slowboat Films.  I really enjoyed the Kingdom of Survival - great interviews with some especially thoughtful people.  Gives you a pretty good idea of where we are and where we may be going with the project of civilization.  Katie and I both really enjoyed The Folk Singer.  For me it was very real, I know people just like the characters, but the editing creates something more surreal.  Check 'em out.
 

Indigo Hunting (Foraging) Vest, v.1

I've been wanting to try and make this style of hunting vest for about a year now, but just haven't had the time.  This one is a little different than the what I've seen online.

I want it to work as a functional urban foraging vest, so ample storage space is important. Without  looking "obvious".  Been seeing some pears, apples, and possibly some apricots(!) in the neighborhood recently, so I should be testing the functionality soon.

Ingredients:  12oz indigo chambray duck cloth, 8oz indigo linen/cotton chambray lining, corozo buttons.  Single-needle construction throughout with hand-felled seams

New things - a welt chest pocket, full lining (split in the middle to form a pocket), and a belly pocket (poacher pocket).  Probably go with a lighter material next time, this one's pretty stiff and the front band is a too thick were multiple layers overlap.  Maybe add more curve to the belly pocket opening too.

Historic North Carolina

Furniture making.  High Point, NC. Circa 1936. 

Corozo Buttons (vegetable ivory)

Corozo button order came in yesterday.  The buttons are made from the nut of a of a palm that grows in South America.  Pretty cool.

Black Chambray Shirt, single pocket, tab collar, 1920's-1930's style.

This is the same heavyweight chambray I used on a previous shirt.  Made for the special project that I've been working on with a person in Germany.  This is my first foray into making a shirt for someone else.  Really hope it fits!

Hand-felled seams and single-needle tailoring throughout.  Cats-eye buttons made from vegetable ivory (corozo).

 

Yellowroot

I transplanted some yellowroot, a native medicinal plant, into our little garden six weeks ago.  Thought it had died, but it's been sending up new growth!

Hippo included for scale.

Jacket/Coat v.2

Second version of the work jacket, for the special project.  This is sort of the test version - I probably should have made a muslin out of cheap fabric, but it just wouldn't drape the same.  The design is a sort of a combination of the French work jacket - the bleu de travail - and an American chore coat, with just a bit of military.

Ingredients: olive drab cotton duck cloth, unbleached sailcloth waist and cuff lining, vintage 1940's cats eye buttons.