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Hiya Kathleen!
When I originally asked about pants you mentioned that you were working up a pattern for us to be able to make our own fluffies - is that still happening? I would very much like to buy one if it is
Thanks
Kitty
When I originally asked about pants you mentioned that you were working up a pattern for us to be able to make our own fluffies - is that still happening? I would very much like to buy one if it is
Thanks
Kitty
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Fri, June 27, 2008 - 3:49 AMYeah I was wondering this too.
However, I did manage to make myself some (hope this is okay to say this Kathleen!!!) in my beloved teal velvet that I found.
I based the actual pant on a Kwik Sew yoga pant pattern I found and guess-timated the tiers.
Theres a pic in my album.
I would so love to have a pattern and instructions to follow properly too though!!!
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Sat, June 28, 2008 - 1:17 PMI so am working on this, but it is slow going as Ive got a million other things to do! I havnt forgotton though! N0, not at all!
And no, I dont mind if someone makes these pants or a facsimille (sp?) of, I just dont want them manufactured for resale.
I cant stop that - but you will get Zapped if you do!
And I encourage everyone to get out there and be creative and make things! It is VERY important not only to your side that needs creativity feedings, but for the economy as well! If we buy fabric, the fabric stores stop going out of sale! -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Sun, June 29, 2008 - 12:52 PMThanks Kathleen thats great!
Although a proper Kathleen pattern is what I am going to wait out for so all that guesstimating on the tiers can go! -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Mon, July 7, 2008 - 2:48 PMI saw this thread bumped up and got super excited cause i thought it meant I could buy the pattern....alas, it's not to be.....yet.... ;) -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Tue, July 8, 2008 - 1:09 PMWell, despite me wanting this pattern out to the world asap, and some of you wanting it, there is a lot to manufacturing items that the general public doesnt know about.. I have to figure out a lot of little details....like how to intelligently tell someone how to make these who has only the home machinery. (and Im not good at explaining things sometimes!) Some people just sell a pattern without explanations........I cant do that. Some of you would get frustrated, set it down, and not make your project. How many of you have bought a pattern and the pieces dont line up and the instructions make no sense? ( I have boxes of those!) I want it a certain way. I see patterns with crap illustrations. Im not gonna do that! I want the pattern to almost be a work of art itself! Maybe Im shooting for something not realistic, but I think we will all be happier with it in the longrun if I do it a certain way.
I know that for myself, if I have a cool looking pattern with easy instructions, Im more likely to follow through on the project.
Also, I want everyone to go out and buy fabric and support a dieing industry. Or cut up and recycle used garments and tablecloths and bedspreads..or whatever you can think of!
I also want everyone to know what actually goes into making garments (probably most of you already know these things..so forgive me if Im preaching to the choir!)- and some might be surprised at exactly how much yardage goes into these pants and pantaloons! They might not be too much cheaper to sew than to buy. (unless you live around discount fabric stores) But there is something very satisfying in making your own clothes and costumes when you can!
I also want you to be able to take some of these pattern pieces and make your own unique creations that I'll be jealous of and wish I had thought of. :) (call me crazy!)
Im going to give myself a deadline to get this done - but Im not going to tell you guys what that is, or you'll be disapointed if I cant follow through on time!!!!! I have to get orders out too or I might have a mob with torches at my door! I hear them marching....so I have to get to work! -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Wed, July 9, 2008 - 3:37 AMAre fabric shops really dieing out?? Surely not - i hope not anyway. we have CRAP choice where we are in the UK, and fabric is double what it costs than it is there in the US. I've bought fabric from american online shops as its cheaper than finding it adn buying it here!! Crazy huh.
Ebay is great for finding odd fabric pieces... -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Thu, July 17, 2008 - 7:01 PMSadly, the fabric store is a highly endangered species. We have lost everything ecept JoAnn's, unfortunatly And my JoAnn's is only about 1/4 fabric, the rest is crafty stuff. The fabric they do carry isnt something I wouldn't go out and purchase quickly. I wonder what the designers were smoking/drinking. Just JoAnns isnt really a choice at all, is it?
I can drive 30 miles to an upholstery remnant store for WONDERFUL(everything under $5/yd) stuff, but it always looks like its on the brink of bankruptcy. I can drive three towns away to a"Affordable Fabric" (everything in the store under $2 per yard.)but it still isnt really near by.
If I want something lovely in plenty 'o' yards (between 10 and 15 yards is a good working length for me), it requires a day trip into New York City, and paying their prices and transportation costs. Yikes.
Sew, If I want fabulous I look at curtains, and sheets, and Goodwill. I have salvaged many a fugly bridesmaid dress, only to rip off the bodice and throw it away, then salvage the many yards of skirt. The fabris is FABULOUS, unfortunatly the style was horrible. What were they drinking?
If you want something truely unique- go to a second hand store, thrift shop, Goodwill, Salvation Army, consignment store, and look around. Look at bedding, sheets, evening gowns, lingere', curtains. Go with no expectations, just an open eye, and a swatch ring. And remember to have fun too.
I buy fabric because I love it, and I will happily wait for years to find the right pattern. Im not so sure I would find the courage to buy fabric sight unseen, online. I must see it, feel it, drape it..........................................
Baysan -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Thu, July 17, 2008 - 8:12 PMyou know it's so interesting when you make your own version of some lovely outfit you've seen or bought. There are so many variables of what works and what doesn't.
As a seamstress myself I see the benefit of buying Kathleen's pants, there is a lot of knowledge behind the creative work. I know that what she makes is really worth the price and it's important to me to buy things made by an artist herself instead of made by sweatshop laborers.
That said! when you sell a pattern for fluffies Kathleen I'll be first in line to buy one!
yay!!! -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Fri, July 18, 2008 - 6:12 PMTribe is actually not bumping me off for a change, so Im taking advantage of staying on this thread!
The fabric situation is a sore subject for me. Everytime I go into a fabric store, it is getting harder and harder for me to find what I need at the right prices. And by right prices, I mean what I can afford to turn into a garment and then resell. Ive searched online and gone to NYC for laces and things that I can work with - I still find the best deals at discount places. I cant get to LA often, so fortunatley, my sources love me and keep an eye out for stuff I want when they go shopping.
Ive had to bump my custom prices up and fewer people seem willing or able to buy quality fabric at modern prices. So much goes into gettiing these fabrics into this country in the first place, that if the fabric stores cant turn a profit, there is no point for them to be in business. If we dont buy fabric and make things, we all suffer. Almost all clothing is now made overseas, so why bother having fabric here?
Gone are the days when I can go into my local fabric stores and just buy yards and yards of fabulous stuff. Its all gone. It scares the shit out of me. And these places have all raised the prices sky high. Its just crazy. I still find deals, but I have to really search. It isnt even the deal factor. Its just crap.
So I hold out and go to the good stores like Britex and Satin Moon and get less, make less, but make something nice.
Im crazy about recycling and reusing, and turning horrible garments into something cool. I dont have as much time for that kind of thing anymore ........but I think we should all do it when we can. I hate waste!
Post pictures of stuff you've made! It doesnt have to be something I made! -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Fri, July 18, 2008 - 7:01 PMah, love and respect for you and of what you said.
I have only made 1 caberet bra top and matching bottom in my entire life. I don't have anyone in my life to learn crafty things from. I learned how to dance after going to college because my mom doesn't support it. I learned how to build buildings. Now a days, how many actually know how to sew? I don't. But I plan to remedy that craft and in 1.5 years, after I get my architect's license I'll go to my local community college and learn this craft. :)
I'll post a picture of my silly first costume. :P -
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fabric
Fri, July 18, 2008 - 9:52 PMyeah, I remember when I first moved up to Mill Valley from L.A. and thought "WHO is this Jo-Ann and why does she seem to have a monopoly on all the fabric stores?"
We are so lucky here in L.A. to have "downtown". Whenever dancers visit here, they always delegate time in their trip to go fabric and trim shopping downtown in the fabric district. Can't imagine why S.F. doesn't have the same :(
If someone in our class finds a fabric that's cool at Jo-ann's for $10 a yd. I promptly locate it downtown for $3 a yd.
And don't get me started on trim and lace!!! I boycott that pricey chain b/c I have an alternative, but the bay area doesn't really have much to offer a seamstress I guess. Annoying!
So sorry for your plight - I commiserate. -
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Re: fabric
Sat, July 19, 2008 - 9:16 AMKathleen-I admire your insistence on maintaining standards and your integrity. That's why your stuff, while a bit pricey, is top notch. Keep up the great work, and thank you for all you do!
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Re: fabric
Sat, July 19, 2008 - 9:23 AMOur local JoAnns are leaning more and more towards quilting...lots of fun cottons (and less than fun prices) and then a bunch of pricey crap stuff...whoever they pay to come up with these patterns should be euthanized. We have one remaining great fabric store and a couple of Walmarts in the area that still have great dollar stacks. I am doing my best to encourage my favorite Walmart to keep their fabric section around...I should buy stock!
I would love to buy some fluffy ruffly pants someday, but right now the economy is keepin' me down! Thank you for your beautiful creations, Kathleen! They have sparked quite a few design ideas of my own...time to play! -
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Re: fabric
Sun, July 20, 2008 - 5:46 PM
"whoever they pay to come up with these patterns should be euthanized. "
I agree!
Thanks everyone!!!!
XXXX
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Re: fabric
Sun, July 20, 2008 - 5:43 PMI am soooooooo envious of your fabric district. You know if I could, Id be down there all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I should just start making it a point to go 2-3 times a year.
Jo ann's sucks. Once in a while, I find something - but rarely. I usually just buy patterns. -
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Re: fabric
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 12:12 AMDo you buy patterns and then not use them??? LOL
I have piles and piles of them. never opened...
*sigh*
As for fabrics... I wish... we have Jo-anns and it takes me an hour to get there (so goes small town oregon).
heh, is it a bad thing that they know me and my son there???
As a seamstress, I find allot of pretty good deals online for things, but still... People want more for less. Dont take into account that we make each piece with loving care!!! Spend a whole night sewing to get an order to someone for an event... Take time away from family, and friends.
but... for some reason, we are crazy and love what we do =) create! -
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Re: fabric
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 12:50 AMI know how fabric can become an obsession...I used to buy remants at a wonderful local store that sadly recently went out of business here in Oakland, CA. called Poppy Fabrics.
Now, I work for a former interior designer who has thousands of fabric sample remants that are so amazing and beautiful and very high quality, the majority of the samples she has are fabrics that sell for well over 100.00 retail a yard! I get the opportunity to look at and handle everything, measure it for her and obsess about it all, thinking where am I going to put ANY more pieces of fabric that will just sit in my design room! But, I do admit to buying a few things that I just couldn't resist ;-)
And luckily, she is as obsessed as I am with the possibility of designing handbags in the future, so we agree to keep some things and not sell them all, thank god!
I wanted to let everyone here know about her and what she is selling on ebay. I don't know if anything will work for the people here on this tribe specifically, if the pieces might be too small to work with for costuming, as most are just under a yard or so. However if you are making other things, like scarfs or handbags or pillows, etc...what she is selling is AMAZING and I highly recommend her fabric and I am damn picky about textiles! Many of her auctions sell for less then 10.00. She puts things up pretty every week as well so keep going back! Below is her ebay store link. If you are looking for anything in particular as well, you can contact her and she will likely have what you want!
I saw some beautiful sheers and silks the other day, all were embroidered with silver and gold metal threads. I immediately thought of the belly dance tribers! They are not listed on her ebay store yet, but I'm sure I can get her to list them this week or next if anyone has an interest!
stores.ebay.com/Lydon-Hous...tidZ2QQtZkm -
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Re: fabric
Wed, July 23, 2008 - 8:34 AMWhats really laughable about trying to buy fabrics is that I had to buy the fabric to make this dress:
people.tribe.net/45e4666c-...ac79f9bbe5
From the good old USA because I couldnt find a carrier in the UK that sold it a) for a decent price and b) hadnt chopped it up into miniscule pieces for FQs!
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Re: fabric
Mon, July 28, 2008 - 3:52 PMKathleen! when you want to make a trip to downtown L.A. contact me! You can stay here (I'm 45 minutes north of there) and we can go together! wouldn't that be fun!!! -
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Re: fabric
Sat, August 2, 2008 - 9:28 PMI will sooooooo take you up on this!
You know I would be in fabric heaven!
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Re: fabric
Sun, August 3, 2008 - 9:57 PMJust an option that we have in the Midwest, maybe available to others who are reading this as well: Hobby Lobby has a selection of fabric. And even, dare I say, Wal-Mart has selections as well. Many are marked down to $1/yard at times.
Maybe this will help someone out there! -
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Re: fabric
Mon, August 4, 2008 - 9:42 PMFound a fantastic little fabric store today in San Francisco at the ActivSpace building, 3150 18th Street #113 (at 18th and Treat). Below is the website link although it doesn't have prices unfortunately and not sure if you can buy from them online, it doesn't appear so. The fabrics are GREAT however and worth a trip down if you are in the Bay Area!
www.whizbangfabrics.com -
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Re: fabric
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 11:25 AMI drove by there the other day but couldnt stop. It looked really cute!
In fact, that whole area looks like its trying to go somewhere, which would be great!
Thanks for the link! -
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Re: fabric
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 2:04 PMActivSpace is a really great artist's community and work space, I just began working for a jeweler in the building so I am new to that area but yes, I do believe people are trying to make things happen there.
I immediately thought of this thread when I walked by this shop and even asked the owner if I could take her card and put her link up here, hey we artists gotta all support each other right? I definately encourage you to stop by there, the fabrics are to die for! -
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Re: fabric
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 2:50 PMI'll check that place out. Thanks!
Yes.....I agree that we artistic creative types should be supporting each other.
In fact, we should ALL be supporting each other.
But I know Im just preaching to the crowd!
Ok, Im about to go hippy on ya'll.....time to get back to work! -
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Re: fabric
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 11:57 PMi've driven slowly by that place a few times. looks intriguing!
my carpenter friend has a new shop just up treat st. that whole pocket is shaping up! -
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Serious Fabric Alert!
Mon, August 18, 2008 - 5:57 PMIf anyone lives here in the SF Bay Area I stumbled upon a place today in Oakland that has THOUSANDS of pieces of Thai silk fabrics!
I think they are samples, but seriously there are piles and piles of them, they have not been used and most are still in plastic packaging. The fabrics patterns are AMAZING and they are selling for 6.00 a pound at The East Bay Depot for Creative Re-Use, i've included the link below .
I had one package weighed out that I was interested in, probably containing 6-10 or more silk polka dot pieces in various colors, all the same size squares and it was 12.00. I think the stuff is gonna go quick as "word" was getting around about what they had...my advice is to get there quick ;-)
www.east-bay-depot.org/ -
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Re: Serious Fabric Alert!
Tue, August 19, 2008 - 1:23 AMTheir website calls it tie silk. So is this silk that is for making neckties? Or are they spelling it incorrectly? Also, they said that this is the last donation they will be getting, so once it's gone, its gone. -
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Re: Serious Fabric Alert!
Tue, August 19, 2008 - 9:23 AMGood point! They are calling it "Thai Silk" in the store, unless I just got so flustered when I saw all that beautiful fabric that that is what I saw ;-) However, considering some of the fabric sizes that I saw, it's a strong possibility that the original intention of the fabrics were for ties. And yes Sandi, people need to get over there ASAP if they want any because the word was definately out! -
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Re: Serious Fabric Alert!
Tue, August 19, 2008 - 9:53 AMIf you're ever looking for any kind of woolen, it's worth the flight to LA to visit B Black & Sons.
Need a cranberry crepe? They've got it. Want an aubergine melton? They've got 3 different bolts to choose from. Gorgeous double knits, tweeds, & suitings. Any kind of woolen or worsted (and some great silks) that your heart desires. Britex probably carries 2% of what B Black has in stock. And everything (except the cashmeres/Supers) can be had for $15/yard from super nice sales guys who don't look down their noses at you.
They've got a website that's great for tailoring supplies (hello ladies lightweight hair canvas!) and a *few* basic woolens, but if you're ever in LA I highly recommend making a field trip. www.bblackandsons.com
Yay for protein fiber! -
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Re: Serious Fabric Alert!
Tue, August 19, 2008 - 10:55 AMWool for $15 a yard!!!!!!!!
What a steal!!!!!!!!!!!
I need to get down there as soon as I can, maybe after the 1st of the year! -
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Re: Serious Fabric Alert!
Tue, August 19, 2008 - 11:08 AMBring an empty suitcase :-)
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Wed, August 20, 2008 - 3:25 AMthis is kinda random, but since you girls were talking about places to get fabrics..
my mom is going to open an online shop based in moscow (russia) selling fabrics for quilting (good quality coton with nice prints -- apparently hard to find in russia, or at outrageous prices)
here's the website www.quiltshop.ru/
it's not completely done yet, but it's in the works, and has her contact info. (she's trying to set up this thing where she can send people on her mailing list samples of the fabrics, seeing as we all know the risks of ordering something online without having seen it in real life first...)
now i don't know how much shipping from russia to the us would cost, you'd have to contact her to ask. but if it does cost a load, she might still be able to help you out as to where to find good fabrics (where she gets her stocks or whatnot)
never know, might help you girls out :) -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Wed, August 20, 2008 - 3:27 AM(forgot to mention)
use the e-mail addy to contact her
calling will not only cost you a hell load, but with the time zone differences there's no guarantee she'll be available if you try to call ;) -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Wed, August 20, 2008 - 3:30 AMquiltshop@mail.ru (i'll hafta tell her to put her e-mail addy all over the site, it's well hidden lol)
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Thu, September 17, 2009 - 10:35 AMjust don't want this treat to be forgotten ;)
patterns??? pleaaaaaaaaaseeeee!!!!
greeetz
oona -
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Re: Pattern for Fluffies
Wed, September 23, 2009 - 6:15 PMHad to drop the ball on this. The problem is all the inseam sizes and all the different pieces because of that. And cleaning up my existing patterns, making a nice package, etc.
But Im on it again. I think I found a pattern maker who can help me out!! Fingers crossed!!!!!!
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