Friends, contrary to popular opinion, I am just a person. Like you, I have my highs and my lows, my successes and my failures. In the latter camp must go jeans rivets. Try as I might I simply cannot manage to attach them correctly. I can poke the hole in the fabric all right, it's everything else.
So you can imagine how galling it is to read that in Eugenia's "(fabulous) world of fashion," her stunning new jeans have perfect rivets WHICH EUGENIA ATTACHED HERSELF! My stomach is turning as I type.
Of course, Eugenia had the assistance of something called Prym Vario Pliers, which she claims cost only £9.50 -- EUGENIA, WILL YOU PLEASE TRANSLATE THAT INTO US DOLLARS FOR THE REST OF US? The sun does set on the British Empire you know...
Eugenia has a very overzealous legal team or I'd post a photo of her here in her perfect-fitting purple jeans -- which she made following a Pattern Review course, mind you, not the MPB Jeans Sew-Along, but whatever. So you'll just have to trot over to Euguenia's (fabulous) world to check them out. Grrr....
Anyway, to be honest, I don't even like rivets in my jeans, and if that sounds like sour grapes, so be it. I didn't even know jeans had rivets until someone pointed it out to me. I thought those were some sort of anti-theft detection device.
Friends, I am confident that Taylor Tailor will come to the rescue shortly, and that we will learn how to attach our rivets correctly. I can't do everything.
Anyway, since there's obviously no instruction for today -- though I did hem my white jeans, which I did by simply folding under twice and topstitching -- I thought I'd talk about other things.
I have some devoted followers who send me things -- a lot of things. Sure, it's usually when they've just returned from their Hoarders Anonymous meeting, but still. I'd like to acknowledge their collective generosity today.
In the last month alone, I have received wonderful books...
Awesome patterns...
Fabric and notions...
And -- are you sitting down? -- SIX vintage Ken dolls!
I'm speechless and truly grateful.
But readers, lest I end up at Hoarder's Anonymous myself, I must ask that you limit your gifts to sewing machines, Liberty of London prints, and (well-wrapped) cookies. I'm simply running out of room. Of course, dog treats are always appreciated, sometimes by the dogs themselves.
But enough -- there's much to do today, including a double white jeans fashion shoot!
Readers near and far, I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend, whether it's sewing jeans or digging through decades of accumulated detritus. Remember: Less is more!
Have a great day, everybody!
UPDATE: Taylor comes to the rescue: How to insert jeans rivets.
What's the point of rivets anyway? My jeans seem to wear out at the same places whether they have rivets or not.
ReplyDeleteAnd that Advance pattern is intriguing. I'm not sure whether I love it or loathe it. Hmm...
Not to be too much of a doll dork, but I want to chime in and say that I think the doll on the far left (in blue) is Allen. Who are the other three that we can't see their faces?
ReplyDeleteIf you've already made the holes, it's too late to decide you don't like rivets in your jeans. I'm sure there is someone in the garment district who'll put them in for you for less than the price of Eugenia's gadget, and then you can swear off them for good.
ReplyDeleteYou know, in over 20 Yrs of sewing, I've never tried rivets... after reading of your adventures with them, I don't think I ever will. Hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletePaula :)
I had a similar issue with trying to attach snaps. Novice attempts to attach rivets and snaps are excellent ways to ruin garments.
ReplyDeleteLooking up currency conversion on the internet takes all of 45 seconds.
ReplyDeleteThe British (the BNP excepted) are well aware that the sun has set on their former empire. That was sixty years ago. These days, of course, Americans like you are arrogant enough to think it's all about them. If you were to list a dollar amount on your blog, has it ever even crossed your mind to give the equivalent in Euros?
Half a century from now, when the fact that their primacy in the world is very much a phenomenon in the past tense, will the Americans deal with their faded glory with as much grace as the Brits have? As an American myself, I very much doubt it.
Pound Sterling is the highest valued currency on the planet (whereas the US dollar, at this moment, only comes in fifth). The pound is a money of international trade, not some strange provincial custom. Christ.
Anonymous @ 11:07am, it might be time to get the sarcasm detector re-set. I don't think that Peter has a mean bone in his body. Snarky in good fun, sure. But not bullying.
ReplyDeleteThanks, @Alexea, I was just about to post a similar sentiment to Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, I just hope that wasn't Eugenia! ;)
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteI am sure that you will find something like that Prym gadget over there in U.S! You guys have everything! Here in Germany it is a common gadget and it costs U.S.$14,90.
But you have to use it with Prym rivets, right?
ReplyDeleteSome people are rather obnoxious, and it's always the anonymous posters. I have met Peter and a mean bone is not in evidence. If you are going to be mean at least own up to it.
ReplyDeleteIt just came to my mind... Can't you find this gadget over Amazon.com? The German Amazon sells it!
ReplyDeleteI think that the Prym gadget uses several acesoires for different sizes of rivets. These are usually sold separatelly, I believe.
ReplyDeleteApparently not -- although I just learned that Dritz and Prym are the same company (Prym-Dritz Corporation).
ReplyDeleteLordie, I am laughing so hard. No witty rejoinders, just ha ha ha ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteHahaha!
ReplyDeleteIf we were perfect we'd have nothing left to aspire to, right Peter? Besides, perfect also makes for dull dinner parties.
ReplyDeleteIt's been awhile since I've encorporated rivets and I did use the rivet tool but it took several tries to get everything going in the same direction - and I still used a hammer for a final flattening.
I don't dare even approach rivets. I have a Dritz grommet/snap setter and it has regularly driven me to swearing. I've heard the Prym tools are better but I have no evidence one way or another. I've also tried hammer setting and leather tools with mixed results.
ReplyDeleteMy jeans are SO nearly done! I have to put on a large hook and eye -- the waistband is too bulky for my machine to do buttonholes and I don't have any jeans buttons anyway -- then get the hubs to snap a photo whenever he gets back from helping a friend move. I figure he'll have just enough energy left to lift a camera....
Melissa at Fehr Trade cut down her rivets and they worked fine. I believe Taylor's site has instructions for doing this as well.
ReplyDeleteAlternately, if you just moved the fibers aside for the rivet hole are you able to wiggle them back in place? Then bar tack over the wonky area.
I watched Toy Story 3 last night with my little sister and there is a whole scene where the Ken Doll is modeling his vintage wardrobe to Barbie and I couldn't help but think of you!
ReplyDeleteHere it is on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8SwDtk5t8U
If it helps matters any, I'm a failure at jeans buttons. I haven't gotten rivets yet (they're on order) but I've attached 8 buttons with various degrees of bent-out-of-shape. Yes, they're secure. But in the process of securing them, I managed to bend the crud out of most of the buttons and the back just isn't on straight! And to add insult to injury, I couldn't get the dang things off to try again!As soon as I locate the software, I'll post a picture of my tractor overalls to the flickr group. Jeron, at least, loves them. Even if the buttons are bent.
ReplyDeleteOh! Almost forgot. Last time I checked, $1= 1.89 pounds. It's been a while, though. Haven't gone for an overseas auction...
ReplyDeleteI'm starting my pants today ... woohoo!! Also -- that vintage dress pattern (the v-neck) is one I have been coveting on etsy. I'm trying to talk myself into it!!!
ReplyDeletePeter, can I buy that Detachable button card from you, or trade your for another? I have a VERY large collection of those buttons dating from 1913 and Ive never seen a card that later before.
ReplyDeleteCan you email me, or Ill email you :)
On the doll issue, I actually think the doll on the left in the blue is a Ken, but one from the early 90's. He has the bent arms and they used that head mold for several Ken models in the early 90s. I have about 3 Ken's with that face, but 3 different hair colors. Actually, I might even have that blue outfit. Hmmmm. The one in neon looks like one from the late 80s. Now I totally need to go through my Barbies again...
ReplyDeletere Anonymous @ 11:07am, ha ha ha ha ha LOL etc! Come back soon, you're a hoot :-)
ReplyDeleteAll my rivets failed until I tried a new brand "Hemline", which I could just put in with a hammer. Seriously easier than any others I have tried in vain to set. I just did a quick search on "Hemline rivets" and it appears that you can buy them on-line.
ReplyDeleteYou can see where I used them here, if interested
http://sewblooms.blogspot.com/2010/06/on-sidelines-by-twinkle.html
I so want to see Cathy in that fabulous Advance 8957 outfit - with a Rock Hudson lookalike traipsing behind her!
ReplyDelete@ Bratling: "Oh! Almost forgot. Last time I checked, $1= 1.89 pounds. "
ReplyDeleteIf that's the rate you think it is, let me know. I'll happily buy all the pounds you have. Gives me a risk-free profit :)
Hi Peter. I am so sorry that the sight of my PERFECT rivets caused you such anguish. I must also apologise for the fact that I failed to translate the amount of £9.50 into US Dollars, unfortunately on that day my highly qualified Accountancy team were otherwise engaged (probably tied up with my overzealous legal team who were busily applying for several super-injunctions on my behalf!). Anyway, £9.50 is approximately US Dollars 15.60, it is 10.76 Euros, 1,258 Japanese Yen ...... but sorry I am now making your blog look like a page of the Financial Times, oh no, I mean The Wall Street Journal.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your very kind words about my jeans :)
What is all this snarkiness? I have been enjoying this site for the very reason that it has been nothing but friendly, informative and NOT snarky! Come on guys....not this one!
ReplyDeleteI have finally found the perfect zipper for my side-zip jeans. All they need is that, the waistband, (shall I put in belt carriers?), and the hems. Hope I can find someone to do a photo shoot.
Anonymous needs to get a life! I think if you are a reader of this blog, you know that Peter was not being mean!
ReplyDeleteI hate anonymous comments!!
ON to those blasted rivets. Snaps, rivets always stress me out. I was putting in snaps on a baby item of mine, and got so worked up about it I put a hole in the fabric, because the male side of the snap was was upside down :( I have the Dritz pliers, and sometimes they work and other times they dent the ring, or dent the decorative snap. Usually if you apply too much pressure.
I now am looking into decorative snap tapes to end my stress.
To the rescue: http://www.taylortailor.com/2011/05/how-to-insert-jeans-rivets/
ReplyDeleteMy hero!
ReplyDeleteI got my rivets from Taylor Tailor and followed his directs, especially the part about if the shank seems to long, to put "washers" on the inside made from squares of scrap fabric with a hole dug into the middle. It helps take up the extra length in the shank and keeps them from bending. After running the "nipple" of two of them through the butcher block in my kitchen, I have decided they can be hammered from the back, with the face side over the hole in a spool of thread so that the face doesn't get dimpled in. It seems I have to whack them with a little more force than I had imagined. Just put the face of someone you're not particularly liking at the moment on the back part of the rivet and have at it. Works for me every time. I haven't run up the buttons yet but I think it's the same idea, just on a larger scale.
ReplyDeleteOh phew! It's not just me then. I've just had a run-in with some rivets and came searching the sewing blogs for help.
ReplyDeleteLike KatherineH I've used Hemline brand rivets for over ten years and never had an issue. So easy and they never fail. My Hemline rivet stash recently ran out so I bought another brand. Ugh! I can't get the darn things to work no matter what I do. Looks like I better hunt down some more Hemline brand rivets. It looks like the brand plays a big part is success or failure.
Hi Peter!
ReplyDeleteI've been catching up with your posts, and, sadly, just missed the jeans sewalong. I am planning on making a pair or two using a very seriously worn, and repeatedly repaired pair of jeans that fit like a glove.
As such, I've been watching "Jeans Couture" by Sandra Betzina and Ron Collins. It has a lot of wonderful information about jean construction, including how to set rivets. Ron Collins uses a nail to make the hole, and sticks the rivet onto the nail while it is still in the fabric. He then carefully pushes the rivet back through the hole while still on the nail, and uses the prym dritz tool to set the rivet.
I'd highly reccommend this dvd! You may be able to borrow it from your local library, or get it through inter library loan.
hth! NAYY..not affiliated, yadayada :-)
I know this post is a few years old, but that Rivet Instruction link on Taylor's site is no longer working. Le sigh. I'll have to look elsewhere, I was going to follow the sew-along several years later once I find suitable denim... and some advice on how to fit it to my awkward-chunky men's body and not look like Oprah.
ReplyDelete