Readers of my own blog dramatis personae may recall that I am an avid fan of Wendy Mullin’s Sew U guide to sewing & patterns. In her first guide, Mullin created an exciting, engaging, and easy to understand guide to the basic principles of sewing. In a pinch, it’s the first resource I turn to (even before my Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing!).

Courtesy of the fantastic Hachette Book Group, I was notified of Mullin’s newest publication: Sew U Home Stretch: The Built by Wendy Guide to Sewing Knit Fabrics.

Like Mullin’s earlier book, “Home Stretch” treats its readers as beginner seamsters/seamstresses, and once again breaks down sewing to its fundamental level, but this time with an emphasis on sewing knits. In her typical fashion, Mullin demystifies the process, reassuring the reader that the myths of sewing knit fabrics are irrelevant.

Happy Bits!

No Presumptions Necessary: Mullin creates a piece that goes beyond being a guide for the most inexperienced seamstress. “Home Stretch” features a great guide in early chapters, which breaks down necessities based on your experience level, financial resources, and interest (”Getting By/Recommended/Pro”). Despite her recommendations, Mullin makes all aspects of this book as accessible to all readers as possible.

Humor + Tips = A Fashionable Touch: More often than in “Sew U,” Mullin interjects her personal sense of humor with fashionable anecdotes and words of wisdom. Quips like, “Using an interlock knit for a tank dress or miniskirt is a good idea, because the fabric will be a bit more forgiving and less clingy than a jersey, which tends to reveal every detail of the posterior region.” are featured in every chapter. It’s hard not to take away the wisdom while laughing about the honesty of it.

Basics for Beginners: Not only does Mullin go through the beginnings of how to shop for, select, and use knit fabrics, she covers the basics of more advanced sewing techniques like using and shopping for a serger, pattern drafting, and more.

Let’s Get Pattern Happy! Like in “Sew U,” “Home Stretch” features three complimentary patterns in the back. But in the last half of the book, Mullin spends a substantially larger amount of time discussing those patterns, how to use them, and how to adapt them. She provides a large jumping off point and encourages the readers to get creative.

Increased Focus on Sustainability & Recycling: In addition to the chapter on recycling, early on Mullin says:

I want you to take the pile of old T-shirts you were planning to send to Goodwill and think, “Wait– I can cut the neckline off this and sew it to another shirt and make an entirely new shirt!” I want you to look at your brother’s old gym-class hoodie and envision a cute, cozy winter dress. I want you to turn sweaters in to scarves and legwarmers in to sleeves. This book is more than an instruction manual– consider it a launching pad for your own creativity.

Now, the exciting bits… I completely devoured this book in one evening, and now it’s your turn to do the same… Hachette Books was very gracious, and gave me two copies of “Home Stretch” to give away to readers of Dramatis Personae. I’m going to extend this offer over to readers of Miss Malaprop as well.

Just leave a comment on this post at Dramatis Personae by Friday May 30th, indicating that you’d be interested in winning a copy. It’s that easy. On June 1st, I’ll announce the winners (nothing fancy this giveaway go around!) on my blog.

Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Last year, writer Mark Ontkush argued for a Black Google site. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors, which account for 25% of the world’s computer monitors, use more electrical wattage on white display than on an all black display (comparably, 74 watts versus 59 watts). By a major website such as Google changing a simple code, they would save approximately $75,000 per year in money and 8.3 Megawatt-hours of energy per day.

As a response, Blackle was created as a customized search engine designed to use a lower energy wattage. For those interested in utilizing lower power wattages on their own personal websites, journals, or computer monitors in general, EcoIron published Emergy-C Low Wattage Palette, complete with coding and the six lowest consuming colors. EcoIron provides additional information on Blackle and other darkly tinted Google alternatives.

Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Since I was young, I’ve always had a love of gemstones and minerals. It’s not unusual for me to come come with a couple of rocks in my pockets from a hike I took that morning. Much of this probably stems from my mother’s love and study of stones, as well. Her house is filled with raw stones and polished gems, each beautiful, vibrant, and almost otherworldly.

This is probably why I’m so attracted to Etsy seller Zulasurfing. Their shops feature the most incredible handcarved rings, from a variety of different ores, minerals and stones. All of their rings are polished around the sides and in the ring’s hole, but the top is left rough and a bit raw. I’m quite in love with this fabulous Amethyst Druzy ring, but it’s sadly too big for my fingers! I keep watching though, in hopes of finding another hot pink ring or something similar, in my size.

Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Too many months back, I remember coming across an old manager of mine. I was delighted to find out that she had left retail and was launching her own business, A Beautiful Notion. Angela had always been the crafty girl in our store, making all sorts of jewelry. To see that she was taking advantage of her love of design and a small community that supports independent business, well, it was exciting!

Recently I was at my salon, when I realized that Angela’s lovely barrettes were being sold there! There was a lovely bowl filled with vibrant, sparkling pieces, each one unique and different. There were so many beautiful ones, that it was hard for me to choose which to get. I eventually settled on one with a large red floral shaped button that was accented by red, orange, purple, and pale pink beads. It’s absolutely lovely, and really shines in the light.

I found out that Angela has recently launched an Etsy shop. Inside you can find lovely necklaces and earrings, and hopefully she’ll post barrettes, too. I’m really charmed by the design on these Dutch Heart Earrings and the subtle use of color they have. These earrings would be be over the top lovely if paired with this Electrical Washer Necklace which reuses vintage beads and bakelite, along with the washer.

Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

As I’m in my last semester of graduate school, I realized with my degree and particular skills I needed a personal business card to accompany them. While I’m reasonably adept at Photoshop, I had a vision for what image (or brand) of myself I wanted my business cards to convey, and no real skills or desire to do it myself.

I entrusted in the design skills of Nicole from nbcreative designs and purchased her damask printed preFAB business cards. While the brown and turquoise is a beautiful color combination, they didn’t reflect the vision I had for myself. For no extra charge, Nicole designed a beautiful black, white, and turquoise version that reflects the bold, dramatic, and classic vision I had in mind. She was open with her concerns and provided thoughtful suggestions to any changes we both thought would be necessary. Because each of the designs were so beautiful, I ended up paying for a bit of extra time and bought two.
nbcreative offers a variety of services, including business cards, banners, stationary design, and more. Her prices are affordable and custom packages can be developed on an hourly basis. The range of Nicole’s designs are a testament to her skills as a designer, as they range from whimsical and sweet, to bold and modern. If I ever get my own Etsy shop up and running, I’ll be surely contacting her again about banner design.

Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

In the past few weeks, I’ve been blessed with several incredible Etsy sellers who have worked very close with me to create a custom product for me (based on other pieces of theirs). It is only coincidence that three custom orders happened so close within one another, and because of the great communication and craft of these sellers, I’d like to take a moment to showcase them & their works. First off is Amanda with Sandmaiden. Sandmaiden is no stranger to the Miss Malaprop site, as Miss Malaprop is a wearer of her goods as well.

The Sandmaiden shop is filled with many glorious goods, and many new clothing items. This made me a bit panicked though, as I finally had the funds to buy the beautiful pieces I’d loved from LAST season. As part of my efforts to be more “grown-up,” I decided that beautiful sleepwear was necessary, and had my heart set on a cotton jersey kimono gown. Amanda typically makes these in silk, but I felt that may be just a bit too fancy for my nightly needs.

For the cost of a regular nighty, Amanda hand dyed a beautiful charcoal color and built the piece from the jersey knit that I so desperately wanted. Her communication with me was wonderful, and as with any good seller, she addressed any concerns she had and did what she could to ensure I was happy with my product.

I COULDN’T be happier though. The piece is beautiful, soft, and a gorgeous color. Amanda, just so you know, I’m looking to buy the Kitschn pajama set, the bamboo fleece top, and matching tap set soon! (That is, provided no one else beats me to them!)

Uncategorized | No Comments »

Here at Miss Malaprop, we support social justice, sustainable living, independent business, and while these are great ways at making the world a better place, sometimes we need to remember the basics. And if I can’t sing it loudly and proudly enough, perhaps someone else can.

As dictated by the Manolo (he is full of the wisdom, you know).

And thus the Manolo only has one standing New Year’s Resolutions:

Make the world more super fantastic.

Be kinder to strangers you meet on the street. Tip waitresses generously. Smile at small children and dogs, even when they are naughty. Have the kind word for shop girls and cab drivers. Engage random strangers in pleasant conversations about growing flowers, and your last trip to the circus. Resist the urge to use your walking stick to pummel rude people who talk loudly on cell phones.

These are the sort of small things that make the world the better place, and contribute to social harmony and understanding. Even better, they are painless and pleasant, and make others happy.

Happy New Year’s; go forth and make the world a more super fantastic place.

Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

I recently came across a discussion of “PIF-Pay It Forward” items on Etsy. The general principal is that these items are listed and “for sale” for free (they say that they cost 20 cents typically), and the only cost of them is paying the good deed forward to others.

A quick search of “PIF” pulls up ten pages of items! The last time I checked, there were two. With the sourpuss mood I’ve had lately, seeing something like this reminds me of great people can be. I think this is a great way to spread good vibes and happy thoughts, while building up some good karma.

Pay it Forward to the wonderful women in your life with The Wonder Woman Surprise PIF. Remind someone you love that Spring is coming with these Clover notecards. How about surprising the dancer or ACEO collector in your life with this beautiful Ballerina ACEO. If you’re an etsy seller, this is a great way to build good will by including your shop in Paying It Forward.

Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

When a celebrity speaks, the world listens. And when a celebrity acts, the world pays attention. With all of those downtrodden faces like La Lohan and Britney “Pride of Louisiana” Spears manhandling the media, it’s time to see a positive and optimistic face taking the forefront.

Make It Right NOLA is the nonprofit organization fronted by beautiful boy Brad Pitt, who has invested time, energy, architects, and a vision to helping rebuild one of New Orleans most devastated regions– the Ninth Ward.

The vision of Make It Right resonates through the hearts, ears, and heads of all current and displaced New Orleanians:

In December 2006, Brad Pitt convened a group of experts in New Orleans to brainstorm about building green affordable housing on a large scale to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Having spent time with community leaders and displaced residents determined to return home, Pitt realized that an opportunity existed to build houses that were not only stronger and healthier, but that had less impact on the environment.

Previously, Pitt sponsored an architecture competition organized by Global Green with the goal of generating ideas about how to rebuild sustainably. Several of those designs are currently under construction in the Lower 9th Ward and the project inspired him to expand his efforts.

After discussing the hurdles associated with rebuilding in a devastated area, the group determined that a large-scale redevelopment project focused on green affordable housing and incorporating innovative design was indeed possible.

The group settled on the goal of constructing 150 homes (one of the larger rebuilding projects in the city), with an emphasis on developing an affordable system that could be replicated.

To demonstrate replicability, Pitt determined to locate the project in the Lower 9th Ward, one of the most devastated areas of New Orleans, proving that safe homes could and should be rebuilt. Pitt hopes that this project would be a catalyst for recovery and redevelopment throughout the Lower 9th Ward and across the city of New Orleans.

Having listened to one former resident’s plea to help “make this right,” Pitt was inspired to name the project “Make It Right” (MIR).

As a gift for those Southerners you love this season, consider making a donation to Make It Right NOLA, where eco-friendly sustainability & reconstruction will gift so many. You can choose to gift any amount, or for those looking to make a larger contribution, consider gifting an item for each house– a solar panel, a live oak tree or landscaping, or a back-up generator. Or, consider buying them a Make It Right 9 t-shirt or gift bag (like the ocean t-shirt featured at right).

Instead of following a celebrity’s trends, their bad behaviors, or their haircut, consider following their good deeds and efforts to make the world a safer, healthier, and pinker place.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

I recently set my awesome 14 year old niece up with an Etsy account; I figured it would be a good way to buy her birthday and Christmas presents she’d like, while encouraging her to support independent artists and designers (while nurturing her sense of individual style and fashion). And look out! It seems the girl is a mini-Miss Mischief, bringing attention to designers I could have only wished to have found myself!

One of my favorite designers she found is French designer Mathieu Missiaen’s shop THE RAGE, based out of Toronto. Missiaen takes vintage shoes (customized by your choice of size, heel height and color) and creates beautiful street-art and graffiti inspired works on the shoes. He designs them with oil-based paints and then varnishes them to ensure long-lasting design.

My niece is fond of the design Pick Me! (pink, featured on top), while good old Aunty Mischief much prefers Off the Air (pink, featured on bottom).

Another great designer my niece picked out is bag-maker Tinkerbelle; Tinkerbelle’s bags are brightly colored, vibrantly patterned, and pleasantly sized for younger bodies. Her favorite pic was this red flowers shoulder bag made with Marimekko fabric. The design is great for a young lady who may need to carry around house keys, a lip gloss or two, and maybe a couple of notebooks.

While my niece may be hard-pressed to find her aunt buying her heels before her 16th birthday (the year I promised her a pair), I love to see that she’s inheriting my sense of style.

Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Miss Libby at exoskeleton cabaret recently brought to my eye Eberhardt Press, a small anarchist printing press based out of Portland, Oregon. While the internet has become a useful tool for marketing and promotion, in many communities, such as Bloomington (where I’m at), the most predominant and effective way of marketing an event, spreading news about forums, is still through flyers, posters, and postcards. Eberhardt Press gives you the opportunity to capitalize on your community’s most predominant advertising outlet, while still being environmentally sustainable. They offer all of their printing services (which include books and pamphlets!) on a variety of tree-free and recycled papers, employing vegetable and soy-based inks for the process.

For a specific estimate or
more information, contact:
printing@eberhardtpress.org
503-288-4529

Eberhardt Press
3527 NE 15th #127
Portland, OR 97212

Likewise, you can also find a variety of revolutionary out-of-print texts and originals publications from them, as well, by checking out their catalog.

Uncategorized | No Comments »

I’m currently entering my last semester of classes in IU’s Arts Administration program. And while I’m often off fighting the forces of good, and the honor of theater, film, visual arts, museums and more, a girl has to remember the simple pleasures in life, too. Like my kitten, Lottie; she was a stray baby, found near a local gas station with her sister, both covered in muck. She received the lucky fate, being accepted to a nearby pet store who takes in stray kittens, cleans them up, gives them their baby boosters, and then adopts them out. So many animals here in Bloomington do not receive that same lucky life though.
My classmates (and hopefully I!) are participating in the Monroe County Humane Association’s Walk for the Animals. Since Monroe County is currently sans SPCA, it’s within our beliefs to support the current animal shelter in town to assure that they have the necessary funds to grow and support our homeless animal population.

Erin, one of the involved classmates, has set up a Firstgiving page to raise funds for our team. As you can see, we currently have an ambitious goal of $1,000 dollars set, and we’re only 1/10th on our way there. Please consider donating to our team, and the awesome animals that are being cared for at the MCHA; as soon as school starts, I’ll be donating myself, and walking for awareness.

Uncategorized | No Comments »