tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post8089224152419254269..comments2023-10-20T08:27:40.314-04:00Comments on male pattern boldness: Alabama Stitch & the Recycled T-shirt AestheticPeter Lappinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-26733896128759548272012-03-31T14:23:20.983-04:002012-03-31T14:23:20.983-04:00Glad I'm reading comments on this one because ...Glad I'm reading comments on this one because this is an awesome tip! thanks!!denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17619810562816063261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-85091550231460678952012-03-22T21:46:28.476-04:002012-03-22T21:46:28.476-04:00Never heard of Alabama Stitch book until I read yo...Never heard of Alabama Stitch book until I read your post. I do like hand embellishments and have tried my hand at most of them.<br />I checked with the library and they have a copy they can loan me for free which takes care of the planet in a good way.<br />Not sure I would pay $350 for a tank "that is suitable for the office" but since my office will not let women wear tanks, that saved me money.kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13468763091074811797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-70764393604612902312012-03-20T23:32:04.157-04:002012-03-20T23:32:04.157-04:00Not all of us can live where we walk to the grocer...Not all of us can live where we walk to the grocery store for that gallon of milk or not have children The idea is to drive to the grocery store for the whole grocery list not just the gallon of milk. I agree we ought to be reducing the amount of new items that we use. Peter, you have made enough bed sheet shirts to get that. My grandsons get boxer shorts made out of things like my husbands dress shirt that has indelible ink dripping out of the pocket. Recycling is not always about the energy savings, but about the use of resources.Sewgrannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359468032101537658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-86837125786249578882012-03-20T22:25:35.766-04:002012-03-20T22:25:35.766-04:00Precisely.Precisely.Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-56923224454003071612012-03-20T22:18:56.612-04:002012-03-20T22:18:56.612-04:00I can't speak for Peter but I personally (as a...I can't speak for Peter but I personally (as an American) have huge issues with the bottled water love we have in this country. Tap water here is regulated for cleanliness more than bottled! It's such a waste to buy a bottle justifying that you can 'recycle it 'when you could buy a reusable bottle and just refill it forever. Recycling is very important but why create a market for something like that in the first place? If that's what he was referring to, I totally agree. Plus in New York City, we have phenomenal tasting water. Buying is just beyond indulgence IMO.Alleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-43023891727172729422012-03-20T22:15:42.958-04:002012-03-20T22:15:42.958-04:00Me neither. Brilliant!Me neither. Brilliant!Alleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-79797255230692005932012-03-20T13:20:48.475-04:002012-03-20T13:20:48.475-04:00I have not seen the Alabama Stitch book, but I hav...I have not seen the Alabama Stitch book, but I have always been a sucker for reusing things. A couple of years ago I was out of work and really cut down on my use of many things. It was amazing how much money I could save when I could spend my time on re-using things and cooking from scratch. Now that I'm employed again I have kept some of my thrifty, "green" ways, but others are just too time consuming. <br />As for quilting, I'm all for re-using scraps as the early quilters did. I don't see that at all now. Most of the quilts I see are all new, matching a theme, fabric. I just can't see buying new fabric to cut up to sew back together to make another flat piece of fabric. At least when you are sewing a garment it is not flat when you are done. As always, Peter, this is a thought provoking post. (Even if I don't fully agree that we can all give up cars and children.)VictoriaRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-48231846026552736152012-03-20T11:18:17.736-04:002012-03-20T11:18:17.736-04:00I don't see what was objectionable. He was ta...I don't see what was objectionable. He was talking about himself, and it's a fact that densely populated areas use resources more efficiently than areas in which people have to drive all over the place, consuming gas.<br /><br />If you're making something creative that you will try to use I see nothing wrong with garment making. Modern quilt making, which involves the purchase of brand new fabric only to cut it up again is the only craft that seems really wasteful to me. Still, if I see a beautifully executed quilt I admire the results.<br /><br />Nobody's perfect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-86345841567442716732012-03-20T10:10:02.385-04:002012-03-20T10:10:02.385-04:00I think this is what's known as a back-handed ...I think this is what's known as a back-handed compliment.Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-17712250616428849642012-03-20T09:37:03.341-04:002012-03-20T09:37:03.341-04:00I think a major part of recycling cans, bottles an...I think a major part of recycling cans, bottles and such is not energy savings, but keep it out of the landfill and cut the use of raw materials. I sometimes wish I didn't need a car, but living where there is no public transportation and it's 40 miles to work and 12 miles to the grocery store, that's not going to happen.<br /><br />Regarding the Alabama Stitch, her work is interesting, but not quite my style. Although it is much closer than many other clothing recycle/upcycle projects I see. I've picked up and put down her books in the store many times. I put it back when I realize I already have books telling how to do the techniques. I just need to get busy and draw my own leaf appliques.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-56898877504561508882012-03-20T07:34:19.733-04:002012-03-20T07:34:19.733-04:00Peter,
I agree that upcycling has become somethin...Peter,<br /><br />I agree that upcycling has become something of a trend (certainly I'm on the bandwagon), but I don't think that necessarily means it isn't sustainable. What I don't like is seeing perfectly good clothing cut apart to make details on other clothing. Though perhaps there's a question of what "perfectly good clothing" means, and whether that should be defined by the person doing the upcycling or the world at large...when I take one of my brother's discarded shirts and make a skirt out of it, is that sustainable because I'm creating something useful for me out of something that isn't useful for me, or unsustainable because I should have donated it to charity and hope someone who could use a men's shirt would buy it? (I guess that's more sustainable than buying a men's shirt new expressively to make a skirt out of it). <br /><br />As far as the Alabama Stitch work, I've always admired the handiwork if not the aesthetic.Ellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16105455066730947081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-65162405983904032962012-03-20T04:34:52.545-04:002012-03-20T04:34:52.545-04:00I was going to mention Judy's projects too! I...I was going to mention Judy's projects too! I think she's onto her third one and they're all wonderful!Sheryllhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17460472835794108787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-79779292031108391042012-03-20T01:28:26.649-04:002012-03-20T01:28:26.649-04:00I love those Alabama Stitch clothes. They're ...I love those Alabama Stitch clothes. They're gorgeous and really beautifully made. I've played with recycling t-shirts but never anything as complicated as these! <br />I love to do hand work, knitting and embroidery and bead work. It's relaxing and meditative. It's a matter of personal choice.<br />In California we HAVE TO recycle. We get in trouble if we don't! Reduce is the ticket. I wish I could figure out how to reduce the amount of wasted paper advertising that comes in the mail!!! It fills my recycling bin every week!Ustabahippienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-86147930904638635912012-03-19T23:56:44.230-04:002012-03-19T23:56:44.230-04:00Peter, check out what Judy Ross has done with the ...Peter, check out what Judy Ross has done with the Alabama Chanin esthetic. I don't find her work primitive, nor folksy, and it's definitely flattering on her person.<br /><br />http://everythingjustsew.blogspot.com/jillnjoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03702978468097634036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-23438035028071293472012-03-19T23:50:04.753-04:002012-03-19T23:50:04.753-04:00Chanin is selling the whole tin roof, rustin'p...Chanin is selling the whole tin roof, rustin'pick-up truck, earnestly quaint, denim and sun bleached floral romantic notion.<br /><br />The books are affordable, the clothes not so much, but she sells more books than clothes.<br /><br />Chanin's talented, and is essentially doing what Martha Stewart would have done if she found herself in a "Fried Green Tomatoes" upbringing. Package the earnestness, write about and merchandise it while scrupulously holding true to the "voice" of the image, be seen living the essence (as others can then do), repeat.Testosteronenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-56402628330744404282012-03-19T22:10:13.375-04:002012-03-19T22:10:13.375-04:00Chanin’s style has mostly a regional appeal, while...Chanin’s style has mostly a regional appeal, while her technique has found its way to trendy new clothing (though not from necessarily up cycled clothing). <br />I have to admit I was a little stunned by some items on your list of the “Best ways to live gently on the planet” (and did you realize you said those out loud?). The solutions seemed a little insular to someone who lives in the “fly-over-zone” (That part of the country between New York and LA that some from those cities term since nothing important of value could ever happen in that wide open wasteland where us unwashed and uneducated masses live). <br />There must be some irony in a philosophy of using only what we need and sewing an entire wardrobe for your identical cousin Cathy. I guess you both could share one wardrobe as hers could cloth an entire family for a year. I’m, however, grateful that you do not. The world would be a far less interesting and fun place without Cathy’s fabulous fashions and her escapades.pcolaspikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367706141518152121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-22607743080579496492012-03-19T22:06:17.841-04:002012-03-19T22:06:17.841-04:00I've read through all the books and that style...I've read through all the books and that style is not to my taste. Among other things, I dislike:<br /><br />--Faux-primitive designs that look very home made and at times call themselves "couture";<br /><br />--The touting of the employment of "Green" methods that require the cutting up of new jersey fabric and suggest using Sharpie pens for embellishment;<br /><br />--Unlined, clingy dresses that only gorgeous 16-year-olds can wear, at a very casual picnic; the photo of a dress on the cover of one of the books is not flattering, it highlights the asymetry of the model's body;<br /><br />--Craft books that celebrate the "New South" and offer a project supposedly inspired by the civil rights movement, yet have no photos of people of color. (I did see 1/4 of one person in one of the books).<br /><br />I had considered buying a kit for a simple cotton tote bag, but it was something like $70 at Purl Soho. For a humble craft, that's pretty expensive.<br /><br />To successfully upcycle, and I'm not sure I believe in the concept, you have to have the skills of an artisan and the eye of an artist.<br /><br />I live very gently on this planet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-48345866298631962312012-03-19T21:20:36.534-04:002012-03-19T21:20:36.534-04:00I recently bought all three of Chanin's books....I recently bought all three of Chanin's books. I bought the most recent first. Alabama Studio Sewing+Design:A guide to handsewing... I bought it because I was desperate to learn how to sew knits by hand. The third book is less about recycling and more about designing great textiles. I had stayed away from the first two books, because they seemed so "folksy", but after buying the third book I realized that Chanin's art is in creating intricate new fabrics with applique, embroidery and beading. I bought the other two books because I liked the third so much only to remember why I had not bought them before.Frannybeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-16184923612263327162012-03-19T21:17:13.090-04:002012-03-19T21:17:13.090-04:00I think the Chanin work is interesting, and beauti...I think the Chanin work is interesting, and beautiful on the models. On my figure, not so beautiful, but I might try it. I hope she can make it work. As a bona fide poor person, I find it humorous that a designer can pick and choose high quality, lightly used clothing to upcycle; few items hold up to a doubled life that are really used to start with. I don't like to spend a lot of time and effort on fabric that won't hold up for a reasonable life span. Her garments look comfortable and original.Kristinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-20926204498695575092012-03-19T20:36:09.405-04:002012-03-19T20:36:09.405-04:00A lot of it is very pretty but out of my range pri...A lot of it is very pretty but out of my range pricewise. I don't upcyle much but do buy all my blue jeans at the thrift shop - I recane antique chairs and work with picks & glue, the jeans get wrecked so it's better to get them used in the first place.<br />Upcycling I'm not really into, after my daughter was born back in 1987 I needed more crib mattress pads - I was more or less housebound from the C section so I took an old single bed mattress pad my parents had given me and using a crib pad as a pattern made another three for the baby. This isn't upcycling exactly but it did impress my MIL who couldn't sew a stitch.sarah chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12420367186796307675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-41218625624723201582012-03-19T19:59:44.926-04:002012-03-19T19:59:44.926-04:00I think it looks appealing and I like some of the ...I think it looks appealing and I like some of the items. It reminds me a bit of Korean pojagi, which is gorgeous and which I love a lot more.Choco Piehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11249035692859813704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-88559547882061203842012-03-19T17:23:28.185-04:002012-03-19T17:23:28.185-04:00To me, upcycling is a now-trend that was originall...To me, upcycling is a now-trend that was originally done by necessity because you were poor. You reused old clothes that couldn't be worn anymore and made them into rag rugs, quilts, or any number of other things. You took your old dresses and remade them into dresses for your little girl. It's not really anything new--they've just made it "cool" instead of necessary. I mean, it was once uncool to wear anything "homemade" because it meant that you were too poor to buy store bought clothing. Now, though, with the resurgence of home sewing, if it's "handmade" it's awesome....Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07717835382469677601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-52112750203553055422012-03-19T17:20:21.819-04:002012-03-19T17:20:21.819-04:00I appreciate the Chanin aesthetic. Though it'...I appreciate the Chanin aesthetic. Though it's not how I dress. I do have a couple of her books that I picked up at thrift stores . . . I enjoy looking at them, but have never sewed anything from the patterns. I think its for a younger profile -- sigh -- and that much hand-sewing is not for me.<br /><br /> I heartily agree with your views on how to live. Living in Naples, Italy a few years has made me even more committed to living a gentler way and the need for an eco social contract. Not though from what you may think -- that there's a more gentle way being lived here, while that is true because the general populace is quite poor. No one has a clothes dryer and you don't see many SUVs. People enjoy more free time and celebrate their traditions and culture enthusiastically. <br /><br />But sadly, I say it because of how polluted the environment here is and how bad the trash the situation is. And how disenfranchised and silenced the majority is from fear of the Camorra and disgust with the corrupt government. The disenfranchisement/hopelessness leads to not caring and apalling neglect of public responsibility -- trash everywhere, stray cats and dogs wandering or lying for months dead in the roads, delapidated parks and public spaces, and suspicion as a default position. It does make one grateful that the U.S. still has a populace that earnestly expresses its views and will protest with open vigor, about their neighborhood or their nation -- plus a free and honest press (mostly). And, in general, there is a social contract regarding respect for rules and mutual consideration . . . in general. <br /><br />Uh, I've driven the train far away from Chanin, but yes, I like her, and most enthusiastically support what you say about small footprints and thoughtful living.Erzulimojohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01475371609166418042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-51389806997750604992012-03-19T17:18:24.071-04:002012-03-19T17:18:24.071-04:00I'm not a fan of the style.
As for crafting g...I'm not a fan of the style.<br /><br />As for crafting generally - its often used as an excuse to buy new things. Quilting is a way for me to use up scraps of things and make the most of lovely stuff. A quilt thats 50% new is about my limit.francoise_hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603008941750254162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-32864210385127807872012-03-19T17:14:48.717-04:002012-03-19T17:14:48.717-04:00Whoh! That is so obvious and I never thought to do...Whoh! That is so obvious and I never thought to do it. Thanks!francoise_hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603008941750254162noreply@blogger.com