Friday, August 30, 2013

Reference Collection, Biltmore School of Forestry, c. 1905





Custom Selvedge Jeans

I've been fortunate that the last few customers I've had have not only been great to work with, but have had interesting ideas and special details that they wanted to see.

 This pair of jeans has a lot of special details. 

Fabric: a 14oz Japanese selvedge denim with an unusual variegated weft, a blend of indigo and white yarns.  Surprisingly smooth and soft on the inside.  The pocket bags are made from a an army surplus Marine Corps shelter half (a tent), dated 1951.  Back pockets are lined with the same.  Duck cloth interior waistband.

Details:  Single needle construction throughout.  French-felled yoke and riser seams.  Encased seam for the inseam - it's a little bulkier than a typical hand-felled seam, but much stronger. 
Double selvedge fly pieces.  Watch pocket has been replaced with a small knife pocket.  Riveted side belt loops.  Fancy stitching on pockets.  15 hand-set copper rivets. 













Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The Big Project

Here's a couple snapshots of the first piece from the new sewing project I've taken on. 

I'm wrapping up one more custom clothing order and then I'll be making these tent/sculptures full time for the next 3 months or so.  I'll include some shots of the finished pieces on their frames later next month.





Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Custom Denim Shirt

Heavy-weight denim shirt.  This one's made from some nice 13oz Cone Mills indigo selvedge denim, and a little bit of Italian selvedge chambray.  All cotton stitching.  Vintage metal cat's eye buttons.  Several special selvedge details.

Just about the last custom piece for a while.  Getting ready to start a big project that isn't clothing related, so I'm going to be putting custom work on hold until that's over. 








Friday, August 9, 2013

Engineer Vest, black & gray stripe

Tweaking the pattern design just a little.  I think I'm going to call this style an Engineer vest, instead of Railroad Vest.  I'd like to make a Conductor vest as well, maybe notched lapels and that sort of thing.






Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Women's Selvedge Denim Jeans, v.2

Hoping this pair will fit better.  Making slim fitted, non-stretch, selvedge denim jeans for women ain't easy.



Monday, August 5, 2013

Sunday Walk

Saw some nice Turk's Cap Lily's and a whole lot of what may be Chanterelle mushrooms







































































Friday, August 2, 2013

Market Bag, final pattern

Clean, simple, utilitarian.

Ingredients:  medium-weight cotton drill, re-purposed leather, copper rivets, all cotton stitching.  Antique rubber stamps used to mark it's date of creation.





Market Bag, Custom

This one's for a local artist.  Has an extra large inner pocket to hold a tin of drawing crayons.