New kids on the block

Now, if you replace "kids" with "apparel" and "block" with "my wardrobe", you have a sentence that almost nearly makes a little bit of sense. Good job, me.
Today's post is not at all fabrics related, however, you may be lucky enough to find some bitching about fabrics at the very end, if you stick around.
The first new kid is my pink docs, and they have settled into the new environment nicely. I thought that they would involve a bit more screaming in pain, as the leather is really stiff, but I'm pleased to announce that is not the case! In the battle of Tess vs.footwear, I'm currently winning, and yes I am unashamedly bragging.
Here are the beauties.



 

I feel happy just looking at a photo of them. I think this is what love is like.
The second new item is my High School leavers letterman jacket. We went with the letterman because it made us feel like American Jocks, even though about 10% of our year actually plays sports. I think that tells you a bit about my school on its own, actually. Anyway, here it is.

How thug is that??? I'm so happy they didn't go with our actual school colours, green and gold, otherwise we'd all look like Australians. Bloody insulting. I would just like to take this opportunity to point out the "gang patch". If you look closely, you will discover that my friend Tina, who designed/drew it (hi Tina) has quite successfully encompassed everything that is great about Wellington High. First off, there's a gorilla and a unicorn. Which is excellent. Then we have the buildings of high, good job, and Jala's, Jack's bakery, and Mcdonald's, which makes up the staple diet of the WHS student, especially the loose change menu. Lastly, up the top, we have a picture of our dean in the sun, like the baby in the teletubbies.
I can't think of a better group of images to sum up the Wellington High School experience.


FABRICS BITCHING:
I can't say no when someone asks me to make them something, so now I am making two ball dresses by tuesday, as well as finishing my own. Booohooo. Except I've actually nearly finished one today but u know.

Hogwarts N Sequins

I've finished the jacket that I mentioned a few posts ago- the one where I made a tie dye monster and got really excited about it. It turned out pretty damn well if I do say so myself. The tie dye wasn't quite enough for me, so now it also has shoulder pads of festive fabric, Harry Potter house patches, and sequins in shapes like dinosaurs and teddy bears.
it's all fucking hand sewn as well so I want some applause for that thank you very much.

I think now would be the time to talk about the kinds of trashy TV that I watch when I'm hand sewing, cos it's the only way I get through life. In the case of this project, it was Soul Surfer and Angry Boys. Both eeeeexcellent background noise. Project Runway and America's Next Top Model are also faves, but the former makes me feel a bit bad about myself.

In The Press

Sorry for my slight absence folks, I haven't really been up to anything interesting of late!!

I'd say "until now" but Julia and myself actually did this in like July so that would be a bit of a lie.

So yeah I just thought I'd do a quick post about this, my Dad showed this to some of his journalism friends and it all kind of snowballed. 

We were so lucky the schools were good sports, because myself and Julia have actually spent quite some time discussing what would happen if the schools decided to charge us with trespassing or something. We would quite like to not have a criminal record that just says "crossdressing".

This isn't the whole story, but you get the vibe. I don't say anything remotely witty or intelligent throughout the piece, but that's fiiine I suppose.

I was also roused at 7.25 this morning by my mother saying "you're doing a radio interview in five minutes".

All in all, an eventful day. 

Not as eventful as the day we actually did it, though. 

XOXO

p.s. I don't know why I bothered to block out our names because it's kinda easy to find it online now, but I've started a tradition and I thought I'd stick to it.

Discrimination today

Hello, Tess speaking. I would like to tell you all about a serious issue that I encountered today while browsing Ebay for some new wardrobe items that don't cost the same as a black market chimpanzee.
Kid's clothes fucking rule. A lot of kid's clothes are a whole lot cooler than their adult counterparts. They're not so seeerious all the time. When you're a kid, getting dressed in the morning is some fun ass shit. Skirt or pants? Why not both??
Plus they're a whole lot cheaper, so basically they're the best fashion industry ever in a lot of ways.
I have compiled a list of clothing items that I love, but are manufactured in children's sizes, cutting me away from the possibility of owning said items. The worst part is that since I'm teeny tiny, I'm only a liiittle bit too big for these items, which definitely adds to the heartache.
I could probably squeeze into some of the jerseys and T shirts, but it's the principle of the matter.
P.S. The things I would do for that Rugrats jersey and moose backpack.

ass-tronaut pants

Look at these pants I've gone and made!!
Okay, wait. I'm going to let you in on a secret- I actually finished up these pants a few weeks ago, but the card reader for my camera wasn't working so shut up.
This was a terrifying project to undertake as the fabric was $22 a metre and I am prone to fucking things up. Especially because this is my first foray into pants making. Lucky I have my trusty sewing teacher who is perfect in all the areas I need her to be perfect- being sassy, and being so good at sewing that it doesn't make any sense. Seriously. I want to be her when I grow up. I've offered to her the possibility of me taking up the duty of becoming her posse- lurking around behind her and saying "yeeeeeaaahh" every time she burns someone. That's my back up career plan, I think.
These were actually a bit of a pain in the arse because the two leathers I used to make them are different weights and ugh they're just suspiciously unyielding in the knee area. But who gives a shit as long as no one can tell??
It's also annoying because the wrong side of the fabric is sack coloured and it just doesn't go too well with the overall look, especially when you're like me and have to cuff your pants fifty times to make them fit. How does one resolve this issue? I considered lining it but I'm unsure if I can be bothered. Would it be possible to dye the underside perhaps??? I will get back to you all on this.
Also the silver coating is peeling away in places!!! It's not too bad at the moment but it's one of those things you look at, and you just know it's going to get worse rather than better.
I'm really not selling these pants to anyone reading, am I?
Woo yeah these are the best pants ever yay yeah yay.
That is all.
P.S. Finished my last exam today!! Getting passionate about the women's suffrage movement in NZ, you know how I do XOXO
P.P.S. Turns out the black docs from my last post are out of stock so I'm just getting the pink ones :'''( Oh well, more money for me motherfuckaaa!!!

Snaps for: My Dad

My Dad is a legend, even though he doesn't have eyebrows. (that's a story for another day). He's decided to go all "proud Dad" upon receiving the information that I got into university, and has henceforth bought me a lil gift.
This gift stems from the fact that platforms and high heels are banned at my university of choice, and following the tragic demise of my faithful jellies I have no shoes that fit this description.
I've always loved these lil low cut Doc Martens, but they are pretty damn impossible to find, especially in my size, in New Zealand. I don't know why I never thought to look online, but hey there you go.

The above were $55 USD and the below were $108. Aren't they just delightful?? I had my heart set on the pink and then white monochrome ones- you know, the ones with the matching coloured soles and everything, but then it turns out they were sold out in my size and the owners of the website forgot to update that lil fact :( Nonetheless I am bloody pleased.

We went halves on the order (I'm not c o m p l e t e l y spoiled) and now I am poor as hell and goddamn i hope they get here soon because shipping was 60 bucks. What the fuck, man.

Livin la Spoonflower Loca

So Spoonflower's having a free shipping day today, and naturally I am freaking out as much as would be sane if all fabric was 100% off. This is a remarkable case of me spending money I don't have and then hoping things will all work out.
I'm planning on justifying it by being all "ohhhh but it's a Christmas gift" when really all I want to do is look at the fabric and cry tears of joy.
I think I need to get a less expensive hobby or I'm never going to move out of my parents' house.
Under the cut lies my current shopping cart, I'm planning on pouncing on my Dad with my fucking irresistable puppy dog eyes when he gets home.
It's a plan, Stan.
Oh and if you wanna buy any of the below fabrics, just click on the picture and wooo yay you SHOULD be sent away to their page on Spoonflower.com. Technology!

Oh and yesterday I found out I got into the Fashion Design course at Massey University for next year! Snaps for me! I'm a bit too keen on the idea of my next four years being almost 100% fabrics related.

Underrated Products: Crimping irons

I think my appreciation for crimping irons has gone a bit too far. It's gotten to the point where if I even have five spare minutes before I head out of the house, I will crimp. It will invariably happen.
It's just such a nice texture! Running your fingers down a crimped section is a great way to while away a lazy afternoon or a particularly boring lesson.
I've found you've got to be careful about crimping, though, or it can quite quickly look like your head's just exploded, which is a bit avant garde I suppose but otherwise undesirable.
Otherwise, go for gold, I say. If Betsey Johnson is doing it, why can't we??

Beware the tie dye monster

This post will be highly immature in content, as the only thing I have to say today is look at this:

Look at it!!! It looks like an octopus monster!!! It's amazing!!

This has been a highly informative lecture on tie dying.

Come back tomorrow after I pour toilet bleach all over the octopus to see what happens.

Things I suck at: Looking clean

Today I was privileged enough to be invited to see Giselle by the RNZB free of charge with my boyfriend and his family. This is fabulous to the highest degree, and the show was off duh chain. Except I don't actually know anything about ballet so don't hold me to that. However, everyone who actually knew their shit about ballet seemed to like it. It was the last night tonight anyway so there's no point in telling you to go, but yeah.
Sam's family has very much introduced me to a world I'm not quite sure about, but I'm doing my best. For example, I have no fucking clue what to wear to a ballet. My keyword I used as a starting point was "clean", which if you have read this blog previously, you will know this is not my strong suit by any means.
I am disappointed to say that I did not really at all achieve my keyword in any area.
I am pleased to say that Sam's mum and grandma said I looked nice anyway.
S-s-s-s-score.

I have found that the eyebrows and the bun work wonders if you  are trying to distract your companions from the rest of your face and your attire. The eyebrows especially make you look much more interesting than you actually are, especially if you get pencil shavings in them, from a poorly sharpened eye pencil.

I also haven't worn this lipstick in aaaaages, it's airborne unicorn by Lime Crime and aaah yeah I'm feeling the unicorn vibes.

You can probably spy out some Jeffrey Campbell skates as well, assuming you can use your eyes. Again, I haven't worn these in aaaages. So long, in fact, that when I pulled them out of my wardrobe the other day, they were coated in a nice green mould. 

Pleasing.

P.S. I did, in fact, make the dress I'm wearing, this is a fabrics blog after all.

P.P.S. Other things I suck at: having a camera and taking decent pictures with it. I'll sort it out one day.

P.P.P.S. I say I will, but I most likely won't.

P.P.P.P.S. Extra for experts: leave your eyebrows on overnight. They look their very best when they've been smudged right up your forehead by your pillow while you sleep.

XOXO

Snaps for: The Rock-oco Collection

Just got a bit overexcited when I saw this collection on Topshop.com. This is maybe a bit more sophisticated than I'd usually go for, as I really don't pull off that kind of look too well. I'm too dead set in my ways of looking like a tacky, dirty, five year old. But yeah, ho dang, these things niiiice. If only I didn't have to buy christmas things like a good citizen.

If you have more money than me, click here

Otherwise, join me in my drooling journey below.

Look what the cat dragged in

Following my last emotional rollercoaster day at school, I indulged in some much needed retail therapy. I took some meaaan as photos of the fabric (for once) but now my card reader isn't working. Boo hoo, why do i even try.
This is quite a long one so you can locate it under the cut and stuff.

Remember this moment

I have just returned from my last ever day at school.
We had our leavers' assembly, when everyone made speeches saying their final goodbyes, and honestly, I have never seen so many people crying their lil hearts out.
My school tends to be adored by all who attended it, so the goodbyes are always the hardest part.
For me, personally, it is very much a bereavement, leaving high school. I moved there after a truly awful first year at an all-girls, uniform school, and I've never ever looked back. High helped me find my passion and helped me find myself, and I couldn't be more grateful for the experience, nor could I have asked for a better group of people to grow up with.
Enough on that now.
But yeah. It needed to be said.
Bye bye Wellington High xxxxx

P.s. most emotional part of the day- a year 12 who is shaping up to become the "me" of next year (the overly passionate fabrics student) wrote me a letter telling me how hard my shoes would be to fill. Brb just crying a river over here.
Except she's kinda pretty much the shit and a super genius so she needn't worry.

P.p.s. the tears began: When a group sang the friends theme tune, you know, I'll be there for yooooooouuuuu

Why am I not: Kate Sheppard

Let's all take a moment to appreciate just how fabulous this lovely lady is. For those of you who don't know/care, this is Kate Sheppard, largely (but probably not entirely) responsible for gaining the vote for women in New Zealand. We were also the first country to get the vote, so to me that spells "Kate Sheppard and our suffrage movement is the motherfucking shit".
Anyway, I've been pondering in history class, the way the women dressed in this era was just so nice. (Yes, I do notice these things, no matter how interesting the topic is)
I thought I might make a replica of the top she's wearing in this photo, it would be like my own little secret homage to her. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and because I can't imitate her by getting the vote again or making awesome speeches, I think that it's best to imitate in the best way that I know how.
I'll keep you posted.
And you know what? Kate Sheppard will have another role in this process!

She just can't stop being involved in my life, can she? Can't say I'm complaining. 

I have a massive bone to pick with this particular colour

Now I don't know if this rant is fueled by the fact that I haven't slept properly in months, but I am still mad about it. This morning on the bus, I was idly viewing the various shops as I drove past. Although I have been making this exact same bus journey for four years, something caught my attention that doesn't usually.
There is a certain shop that uses one particular colour for its logo and all of its decor. I won't write the name here because I don't want this petty post to come up when the name is googled or anything. How considerate I am.
But ANYWAY their logo is done in the worst colour known to mankind. I promise you, this is the only colour I feel any kind of passion for, either positively or negatively. I hate it on a highly irrational level, and I can accept that.
I even used the colour finder on the Resene website to try and find a sample of said colour. This is getting out of hand. Whenever I realise I don't like something, I tend to find out as much as possible about it, until I feel satisfied that I don't like it for good reason or until I realise my life is a sad abyss. Whichever comes first.
UNSURPRISINGLY RESENE DOESN'T HAVE A COLOUR THAT MATCHES IT JUST RIGHT, BECAUSE IT'S THE WORST FUCKING COLOUR EVER.

LOOK AT THAT FOUL STUPID LITTLE COLOUR
SITTING THERE ALL ARROGANT LIKE IT'S EQUAL TO THE OTHER COLOURS IN THE SPECTRUM.

Okay let me tell you my backstory for this colour. I was, about three months ago, gifted a piece of fake fur in this colour by my fabrics teacher. I was excited because I can't afford fake fur, and although I was skeptical about the colour, I was willing to make it work because it was free, you know how it is.
THis probably would have been okay if the piece was a bit bigger. It was too small to make a whole separate garment out of, meaning that I would have to combine it with another piece of fabric to actually make something.
NOTHING in my fabric collection matches this stupid colour to my satisfaction. NOTHING. I don't know WHY this has happened but it feels like a personal attack against me.
I WILL ACTUALLY GIVE YOU FIFTY CENTS IF YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING THAT MATCHES WITH THIS SHIT. I'M NOT READY TO GIVE UP ON THE FABRIC JUST YET.

DO NOT SUGGEST THAT BLACK AND WHITE SHIT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.
This has never happened to me before and it's shaken me right to my core.