Valentine's Day Sewing -- YEA or NAY?

Readers, let's be honest.  As bad as the modern world can sometimes seem, all one has to do is take a peek back in time to realize that we've come a long way as a culture.

Gone are the days when the "little lady" would stitch herself up a special Valentine's Day duster (pictured up top) to surprise her other half, who would most likely surprise her with a toaster or other chrome-plated kitchen appliance.  (My mother herself experienced this in the Fifties and she wasn't happy about it.)





Speaking of the bad old days, last night I watched the cloyingly false, yet undeniably watchable nun-athon, 1966's The Singing Nun starring Debbie Reynolds  (Did Charles Schultz dream up that ad copy?).  Worst. Nun. Movie. EVER.



That said, if you like the song Domenique, you might enjoy The Singing Nun.  The fact that the real singing nun, Jeanine Deckers, upon whose life the film was (very loosely) based, later left the convent, came out as a lesbian, and killed herself in a bizarre double suicide love pact, needn't spoil the joys of watching Agnes Moorhead, sans Endora makeup, as Debbie's sour sidekick.  

But let's get back to Valentine's Day sewing.  Friends, it should come as no surprise to you that I strongly resent holidays like Valentine's Day, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, and the like, when we're supposed to march in lockstep to the Hallmark Card aisle of our local Rite Aid drugstore and robotically purchase an overpriced greeting card which we're to dutifully sign, seal in an envelope, and hand to our loved one on February 14th, perhaps along with a cheap box of Whitman's chocolates.

Thankfully, as sewers, we have so many other options!

I don't quite understand why a woman would want a Valentine's Day apron, since, let's face it, she'd have to make it for herself.  I suppose it might be a sexy surprise if she showed up wearing nothing but the apron, but I don't think that was the original intention.  Or was it?







If an apron feels too retrograde, perhaps a Valentine's Day vest (upper left corner, below) might fit the bill?



Of course, little girls love Valentine's Day, at least according to the pattern companies.  What's cuter than a two year old decked out in hearts, ribbon, and lace?  Sadly, she doesn't come dipped in chocolate with creamy caramel centers.





If you wish, you can spend the next two weeks making Valentine's Day decorations, to fill your house with the spirit of the season.  A heart wreath!



A heart quilt!



Heart-shaped jewelry cases!



A...um...what is this, exactly?



Readers, in closing, will you be sewing something special for Valentine's Day?  Have you ever given -- or received -- a homemade Valentine's Day gift?  If so, was it appreciated?

Valentine's Day sewing -- Yea or Nay?

PS -- What's your favorite nun movie? 

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A Sewing Machine as a Gift -- Yea or Nay?

Readers, I was both excited and troubled by a feature I saw in the most recent (January 2012) issue of Consumer Reports magazine.  Their annual "25 Great Gifts" list included -- are you sitting down? -- a sewing machine!

Actually three sewing machines (presumably you'd choose only one):  The Brother Innov-is 40, Pfaff Select 3.0, and the Bernina Activa 230PE. 



Now, I am unqualified to comment on the quality of these machines, having never seen any of them in person, let alone sewed on one.  I'm thrilled that a sewing machine made the cut as I think it reflects on a renewed interest in home sewing.  But the idea of purchasing a sewing machine as a gift (i.e., for somebody else) worries me.

And don't you love how Consumer Reports lists the BMW sports car (below right), which costs $49,525 as "for someone super special" as opposed to "from someone very rich," as if the cost of a gift reflects how much we value the recipient -- precisely what Madison Avenue tries to guilt us into thinking every year.   In this rotten economy it seems particularly tone-deaf.



I have seen so many threads on the Pattern Review message boards where someone (usually the husband of a sewer) is requesting advice on what sewing machine or serger to purchase for his wife.  And almost invariably the responses come in four-to-one that if they really want their wife to have the machine of her dreams, they should purchase a gift certificate from a reputable sewing machine dealer and let her choose the machine herself.

I am of the same opinion though I'm generally opposed to the idea of purchasing new things (other than socks, knit briefs and undershirts), given that most the Western world, and certainly the United States, is awash in perfectly good second-hand stuff.  And while the Bernina Activa is probably a wonderful machine, spending $1350 for a sewing machine seems like a crime whose victim is the customer.  I'm open to having my mind changed, of course, but come on, that's a lot of money.  Personally, I'd rather have the cash.  (In fact, I recently read on some blog that the way to tell if something is worth (to you) what you're spending on it, is to ask yourself if you had the choice between receiving the money or the item, which would you choose?  Think about it.  Would you rather have someone give you $1000 or get, say, a flat-screen TV?)

Friends, I open the floor to you (not literally; I'd hate to have you drop into a pool of hungry crocodiles).

1) Do you think you can ever buy a sewing machine -- wait, let me restate that: do you think you should ever buy someone else a sewing machine?  Unless, of course, you know exactly what model they want and it can be returned (if need be), and they can find support nearby for the machine should they need it?

2) Have you ever received a sewing machine as a gift? If so, were you happy with the choice made on your behalf or would you have preferred another? (Be honest!)

3) Do you agree that buying a sewing machine for someone else is not equivalent to purchasing them a DVD player or a set of knives (then again, for the serious cook, perhaps knives aren't such a good idea either)?

A sewing machine as a gift (for Christmas or any other time) -- Yea or Nay?

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Pajamas to the Office -- Yea or Nay?

Readers, while I was sitting on my ceramic Pintastic yesterday, I stumbled upon a colorful fashion spread in this week's New York magazine, entitled "Street Pajamas."  Apparently, female versions of classic men's pajamas are the new look du jour for gals.  They're not just for sleeping anymore!



The feature (which you can view online here) profiles four women about this new fashion trend.  Notice anything they have in common?









Writer-blogger (ahem), Public-Relations Assistant, Fashion Consultant, Writer -- welcome to the 21st Century workforce!  It's no wonder these women can wear pajamas all day. 

The jobs these women have don't exactly match the prices of these jammies, however.  How many writer-bloggers are spending $2,500 for an outfit, let alone one that has a drawstring waist and comes in S, M, L, & XL?





The loose, flowing pant look is cute, just as it was in the 1930's worn by such actresses as Ginger Rogers and Betty Grable.  In the old days, however, lounging pajamas were more like playsuits crossed with lingerie than the menswear-inspired pj's being promoted in the magazine, and they weren't intended to be worn downtown.



I recently acquired this lovely pajama pattern, but again, they're not men's-style pajamas.



Readers, what do you think?  Do you ever wear pajamas like the ones featured in New York magazine out of the house?  Would you ever consider wearing them to work?

In other news, I had the privilege of spending a few hours over dinner yesterday evening with Elizabeth of the blog Sewn.  Elizabeth is a highly skilled cook and charming host (can you say hostess anymore?) who, unfortunately, is a little challenged in the area of vintage Singer Featherweights.  Hers is a lovely machine in excellent mechanical order but it was badly in need of a better-fitting bobbin to operate effectively.  Fortunately, we found one among her sewing notions.

Friends, it's so true what they say, how Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.  Even an eccentric Martian like me enjoys coming to the aid of a Venusian in distress, and I felt proud that upon my exit, her machine was stitching beautifully and Elizabeth was no longer tugging at her tousled tresses in frustration.

Please don't think that just because I am a high-profile sewing personality, I am unapproachable.  Pas du tout!  If Elizabeth had only served dessert (and perhaps some decaf), I would gladly have helped her with any other small household tasks that needed attention.  Maybe next time, Elizabeth!

In closing, readers, I must get your opinion about pajamas as daywear.  Do you think I could wear these seersucker shorties out of the house -- perhaps to my next dinner/sewing machine maintenance engagement?



Street pajamas -- Yea or Nay?

Perhaps not the most memorable number from Astaire & Rogers' The Gay Divorcee, but full of cute lounging outfits (and a very young Betty Grable).

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Snoods - Yea or Nay?

Friends, let's cut to the chase.  What do you think of the snood?

As my 1944 Outfit Project draws to a close, and with our photo shoot tentatively scheduled for Thursday (yes, Thanksgiving) morning -- where my cousin will be channeling Maureen O'Hara in Miracle on 34th Street -- I've been busy trying to assemble Cathy's period look on a dime.

I think you've already seen my muff, and why does that sound dirty?  The consensus seems to be that this little $3 hand warmer is shaved rabbit, or shaved something -- real fur.



My original intention had been to make my own shoulder pads for the coat, but I was up at Daytona Trim on 39th Street yesterday, and they had an entire canvas rolling cart full of these molded pads of thick, layered batting for just $1 a pair.  They're not covered -- I'll likely do that myself with muslin -- but they're huge.  To get the effect I'm going for, I'll be putting a pair in each shoulder!



I also picked up a yard and a half of crepe-backed satin for lining at Chic Fabrics.  I was originally going to use Bemberg rayon, but it didn't look heavy enough plus that's kind of fancy, don't you think?  I like the look of the satin better, it's cheap, doesn't wrinkle easily, and I think the weight will enhance the drape of the coat.



Then there was the question of hats/hair.  The Forties had a very particular look and I wasn't sure how to recreate it.  I looked at hats at the flea market, but the colors were all wrong (I needed brown or a muted green), or the shape, or the price.  I was hoping to find something like this, but no such luck.

So on my way home from the fabric store yesterday, I passed one of those ginormous beauty supply/wig/hair extension stores one often finds in New York City, Beauty 35, and I poked my head in to see what kind of accessories they might offer.  Friends, Lady Luck smiled on me once again: I found a wide assortment of snoods -- just $1.99 each!  I bought two: one brown, one burgundy.

I experimented with them, and I must get your opinion, both of Cathy in a snood and of snoods in general.  To me, this type of hair covering treads dangerously into Orthodox Jewish territory.  (I have two orthodox first cousins -- daughters of my Aunt Florence with the aqua toilet that looks like a Pintastic pin dispenser -- so it's a look I know well.)

OK, brace yourself:

1) With the bangs, I am a dead ringer for my cousin Ellen (who no longer goes by the name Ellen, of course).



2) This is a combination of Cathy's new hairdo, with Cathy's old hairdo in the snood.  Rest assured, she'll be clean-shaven and won't have swim goggle imprints around her eyes.  (Flower courtesy of Beauty 35 @ $1.)



3) Then last night I had an epiphany.  Some of the most famous Forties pin-ups were blondes.  I combined my vintage Eva Gabor wig (I didn't tell you about that $5 eBay purchase) with my Peter and the Parrot blonde wig in the snood, and came up with this:





Friends, Michael likes the blonde!

Anyway, back to today's topic.  I'm too lazy to delve deeply into the history of snoods, which have apparently been around since Medieval times, but you can read more about them at the Adore Cherie blog, where you can also catch a photo of Casey looking a little Amish if you ask me.  Snoods were popular during World War II and then fell out of fashion, though they've seen a resurgence in popularity among the vintage-loving crowd.

Are snoods simply too costumey for today, in your opinion?   Have you ever worn one?  Do they make you want to say One ringy dingy and snort through your nose?

In short: Snoods, yea or nay?  

(....and which Cathy hairstyle, please)

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Cathy's New Hairdo -- Yea or Nay?

Friends, I believe, when choosing between two paths, always to choose the one that really excites you in the moment.  Hence, yesterday, I put aside my two yards of polka dot poly charmeuse (more about that later) and made a beeline for Wigs & Plus at 152 West 32nd St.  Kind of has a nice ring to it, don't you think, Wigs & Plus? 

The consensus, building over many, many months, was that Cathy needed a new hairdo: something softer, longer, and in a somewhat lighter shade.  But she couldn't lose her essential Cathy-ness.  It was a very difficult challenge, perhaps equal to sewing a poly charmeuse blouse.  No, definitely harder.

You, beloved readers, have been more than generous.  Laura offered to send me a red wig she has tucked away somewhere.  Sadly, red is the one color that makes Cathy's rosacea "pop" in photos.  Semi-retired wig stylist Richard suggested something slightly tousled, with more volume.  Sandy was even kind enough to send me a link to this beautiful portrait of sultry Gina Lollabrigida. 



From among the hundreds of wigs at Wigs & Plus, I found one I thought had possibilities.   Cathy and I took some test shots and I'd like to share them with you.  No makeup here, just a little lipstick, faux fur, and a lot of attitude.  Very spontaneous.  

Before:



After:







Yes?  No?  Maybe?

By the way, for those who wish to emulate Cathy's new look, it's Soul Tress "Perry," designed by James Lee (fancy!), and has copper highlights.    

Meanwhile, in poly-charmeuse-blouse land, I'm having second thoughts.  I fear the charmeuse is too heavy and, frankly, too cheap looking for the 1944 outfit project.  I especially don't like the way darts and tucks photograph in charmeuse.  Then again, most of it will be hidden under a jumper.



I may follow Stashdragon's advice, put it aside and opt for a more somber, historically accurate solid in a natural fiber rather than synthetic.  We'll see.

But back to synthetic hair.

In your opinion, does Cathy's hair conjure up any specific period or person more than others?  Ava Gardner?  Loretta Young?  Gladys Kravitz from Bewitched?

It does give off a somewhat late Fifties/early Sixties vibe to me.  Not sure how it will work with earlier periods, but hey, there's always hats, turbans, and snoods!

Cathy's new hairdo -- yea or nay?

More Cathy wig portraits below.

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