Friends, do you remember how, last July, I purchased a second-hand Royal body form (which I named Roy)? It was nearly perfect.
Fast forward to yesterday. I was returning from the library, when what did I spot in the trash on West 23rd Street but this:
This lady's not in great shape, to put it mildy. The stand is intact, but I don't want to know what those feet are covered with. Anyway, I don't need a broken-down dress form.
But there was something I could use. I ran home and got a pair of pliers....
I think that top piece is called a finial. I have always maintained that everything eventually turns up in the trash if you wait long enough!
Meanwhile, I've been thinking about getting started on my "Home Sewing is Easy" shirt. I can't decide whether I want to make a long sleeve or short sleeve shirt with it. The print is so busy that I'm afraid a long sleeve will be overwhelming to the eye, but a short sleeve version is less practical (albeit more summery).
Any preference?
In other news, there's a new Miyake pattern in my life! I'm really curious to see how this is put together and how I might adapt it.
Finally, thoughtful Aussie reader Sharon very generously sent me a pic of a poster she found in a local op-shop (thrift store).
Do you think this image is man-skirt-positive or subtly mocking? I can't decide.
Have a great day, everybody!
I agree. I think the short sleeves look better in that print, and the say the weather will warm up again eventually. :P
ReplyDeleteThe short sleeves look lovely and summery. Spring has definitely sprung here so here's looking forward to more sunshine.
ReplyDeleteshort sleeves! and that Miyake pattern is fabulous, I can't wait to see what you will do with it
ReplyDeleteI actually think the long is better. Keep in mind that short sleeves breaks up the pattern on the arm. LOVE the Miyake
ReplyDeletedo the long, but roll them up and use button and epaulette type tie to keep it in place...a twofer
ReplyDeletei like the long sleeve, but that's just me.
ReplyDeleteShort sleeves. I don't know why, I just prefer it.
ReplyDeleteLong sleeves, I'll say. You can always roll it up if it gets too warm, that fabric is the perfect thing to peak out under a jacket sleeve.....
ReplyDeleteI'd say long sleeve. You would get to practice those fancy plackets and cuffs you just learned in class.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing is it that in your walking travels you happen to have a sewing school locally buy to pick up all these gems!
ReplyDeleteShort sleeves. The fabric is pretty happy and summery to begin with, and you look great in the short sleeved version at the store.
ReplyDeleteThe Op-Shop photo could go either way depending on the look on the face of the man in the overskirt-- he looks pretty miserable, so I think they're suggesting he's unhappy with Santa's gift of a fluffy skirt.
Think what Timothy John could have done with that look. It's not so much the clothes, it's the joy.
I vote for long sleeves, so that onlookers can read more of the cartoon panels.
ReplyDelete-- stashdragon
That poster? Probably making a joke about a guy being given a skirt, but as I wouldn't want that skirt either, I'd be donating it, too.
ReplyDeleteThe shirt? If I were making up a novelty fabric like this, I'd make a camp shirt style (ala Tommy Bahama) with short sleeves. But,then, I don't like short sleeves on dress shirts very much.
...so, if that's what you're going to make, I'd vote for long sleeves.
ReplyDeleteThe short sleeves are more casual and seem to go with the personality of the fabric - and I love the fabric! The poster does indeed appear to be man-skirt mocking -
ReplyDeleteI like the long sleeves. I agree with everyone about rolling them up. Funny that you would consder the print a little busy after your wore the thai shorts, pattern shirt and leopard coat. Let your innner Stella Dallas burst forth and give the "tessie trim". love you and your blog
ReplyDeleteI vote for short sleeves and then use the leftover fabric for shorts.
ReplyDelete~Jen
A gentleman never sports a sleeve that exposes an elbow! For me, it has to be a long sleeve. Beautiful sewing at your class, top marks!
ReplyDeleteThe solution to the shirt problem comes from wise Solomon himself: make both a short sleeve and long sleeve.
ReplyDeleteThe Issey Miyake jacket pattern, looks like you might have to grade up to your size and then make some length changes. Are you thinking of using a shearling, either real or synthetic? Maybe do a handstitched natural shearling for an urban rustic look? Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteGosh, I would have taken the shabby dressform for the gothy decor potential. It would look great next to the shelf where I keep part of my bone collection.
ReplyDeleteShort sleeve, just because the pattern is too busy for long sleeves. Plus it's such a happy fun summerish pattern it deserves to be shown off properly in the summertime.
ReplyDeleteI prefer LONG SLEEVES. You can always roll the sleeves up.
ReplyDeleteShort sleeves. Otherwise you will be asked by passers-by to stand still so they can finish reading your shirt.
ReplyDeleteI fear that will happen anyway! ;)
DeleteVoting for long, but enjoyed Cleverclogs comment!
ReplyDeleteLong slevee and of course wear the shirt with sleeves rolled up at 3/4.
ReplyDeletemaybe it's just me, but the model on the miyake pattern looks like she's hunching over in the poses with the cape/collar up?
ReplyDeleteAs for the poster, I think it's an age thing as much as a gender thing. I have a 3-yo who would love a floufy skirt, wings and wand, but on a grown-up it looks different.
I vote long, but that's just based on aesthetic preference. You need to do something that works for you, functionally. The long would give you more cuff and placket practice :)
ReplyDeleteI also vote for long, rolled up, with the tab and button to keep the roll in place
ReplyDeleteI vote for long sleeves. It really can't make this any more busy than it is and as you said it would be more versatile.
ReplyDeletePeter I'm green with envy a new issey , I bid and won a fab issey this week on eBay but the woman removed the item for sale because my wining bid was for £3.00 :0( bad week....
ReplyDeleteI think the shirt is busy enough; why not PLAIN sleeves? In a coordinating colour?
ReplyDeleteOh and I tell you: when I was in the market for a dress form, there was NARY a one to be found in ANY second hand store...the moment I bought one RETAIL, I haven't STOPPED seeing them around in the thrift stress! The one I got did not have a roll-y base, so I waited until I saw an office chair on the curb (people here are allowed to put still-good stuff out on the curb with a 'free" sign on it, for anyone to take away) and grabbed it (I towed it home lashed behind my bike with a bungee cord for a block and a half; I am surprised I didn't end up on the internet) and then removed the chair (tiny metal clip on the underside of the base) and dropped in the pole of my dressform. It was a bit too thin, so I wrapped it with cardboard. It worked BEAUTIFULLY.
Long sleeves rolled up.
ReplyDeleteAnd do try to match the print center front. That shirt in the store is pretty sorry.
(I've used this same fabric on four shirts already)
Yes, it's busy. Yes, you will be stopped by people wanting to read it. And yes, people are happy when they see this fabric.
Long sleeves give UV protection
ReplyDeleteMy 2c: Long sleeves. You can roll them up when it gets warmer. Short sleeves with a comical print may look too, well, goofy.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest long sleeves, casually rolled up. Great save with the parts for your workroom dummy! :)
ReplyDeleteYou need long sleeves all year long, for protection against the sun. I vote for long sleeves.
ReplyDeleteI'd go with short sleeves.
ReplyDeleteLove the Miyake, unless it makes you hunch over like Quasimodo.
I don't think that picture is meant positively. Wouldn't he keep the skirt if it was positive?