Moo Moo # 37 Gingham Mushroom Caftan

After a week off I thought I'd catch up  and create two moos this week.  I did get two cut out ... and, as life would have it, I finished one. The other awaits the machine.  I decided to get my sewing studio painted instead. I have collections of stuff all over the house waiting to return to it's rightful place in the studio. It's kind of driving me nuts. So I figured the best use of my time this week was to just hurry up and finish in there. Of course, it's now Sunday, and there's still work to be done, but we've come a long way!

Moo 37 is a caftan, sort of like Moo 17 (Green Floral Caftan), with a few differences. It's shorter, no hood, and shorter sleeves. I added elastic at the hem (yes, I love to do this) and it creates the mushroom effect while keeping it comfy and versatile.  I made a detachable floral accessory that can be used anywhere on the garment, including using it to hike up the skirt in whichever way suits you. It would really be perfect as a swimsuit cover-up. I've modeled it here with leggings and boots (and in a few, with some fun heels). Can't really go wrong with boots!!

Below is a whole whack of photos and I decided to just throw them all in there because, well, I'm exhausted and decided not to spend any brain power on which to keep and which to axe. 

I'm learning how to streamline my creation process a bit, so you'll perhaps notice that reflected in lower pricing. You can find this Moo for sale on Etsy.

Thanks for checking in!

Enjoy your Sunday,


Jules Mae

Moo Moo 36 G20 The Process

I'm writing from beautiful Montreal today. I'm in town for a wedding ... my former roommate and dear friend is gettin' hitched!
So this week,  since time has not allowed for a new moo, I'm dedicating my blog post to the creative evolution of Moo Moo 36. You might call it a bit of a collaboration.

A few weeks ago I received a twitter message from @RmmHayes, whom I've only met with through twitter, btw.  She sent me her idea for a Moo (click to enlarge). Thanks for this @RmmHayes!

This idea has been bubbling up in the back of my mind since then, and I was looking for an opportunity to use it. With the unfolding of the stories of ghastly assaults on civic liberties at the Toronto G20, I began to feel very disturbed, and in a deep way, betrayed by the powers that be in Canada. I needed to work this out in myself, so I began sketching.

I quickly decided that @RmmHayes design idea would lend itself nicely to what I wanted to express with this Moo. The sketch I ended up working off of is the second design on the first page.
I obviously let my creative instincts dictate the final result, as I just let things unfold while using the sketch as a jumping off point.

The 2 lends itself appropriately to the $ symbol. And the good ol' Maple Leaf in the 0.
The CN Tower = Toronto, so that was a given.

Here she is almost complete, but missing a few straps and ties, and looking rather bright and cheerful.

As you can see, I omitted sleeves in favor of arm cuffs with belt loops applied to their tops so they could be easily bound ... you know for when you meet the police at your peaceful protests, or when you are merely curious.
Now, the design for this is really just a tall rectangle with arm holes at the center point. The red slit at the bust line was born out of a brief moment of confusion, an itchy scissor finger, and some creative repair. A happy mistake. Let's leave it at that.

But it is still looking cheerful, isn't it? That's not really capturing my intention. Soooo let's bust out the tea!

I threw five tea bags in a 2 cup measuring cup and let them steep until the tea was lukewarm. Then I just went for it, dabbing and sprinkling where I saw fit. I let it dry in between applications to build up intensity.

 

(the sleeve cuff thingies)

And as the tea disappeared, I began leaving the teabags directly on the fabric for a few hours at a time.

And here is Tina, wearing the final piece:

Not so cheerful anymore.


Thanks for stopping in and checking up on my project. Next week I'll resume with Moo Moo 37.

Enjoy your weekend!

Jules Mae

Moo Moo #36 - Don't Bring Your Honey to the G20

When you're dancing with your honey, at the G20, and your nose gets kind of runny, don't think it's funny, 'cause it'snot.

Two weeks after the Toronto G20, there has been a massive public outcry for an independent investigation into security measures for that event. There have been numerous allegations of unjust detainment and abuse, not to mention massive disorganization, and even questions about who, really, were those guys in black ...and why were police seen parking their cruisers in position (for torching and vandalism) and walking away ....?

 The link below is one man's account of what happened to him, and his girlfriend (now fiancé) that weekend.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/294499

So, I've had a few weeks to process this in my own self and this Moo Moo is an expression of that process. It's utterly heartbreaking to me to think that this kind of thing goes down in MY Canada. It has been a jarring wake up  call that our so-called civilized peaceful nation is not immune to political manhandling and blatant abuse of power. I kind of want to throw up, just a little bit.

Notice something different about the model?  

It's not me!! Let me introduce you to my first guest model, the fabulous Tina Savoie.

Find more information on what really went down at the G20 here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/g20inquiry

Later this week I'll be posting photos and details of the making of this Moo! 

Thanks for stopping by.

Jules Mae

Moo Moo #36 - G20 Toronto

This week I'm posting some sketches of Moo Moo designs I came up with after reading and watching people's accounts of what happened to them in Toronto during the G20.  This is information that has been shared via social networking sites, and the like, outside of conventional media outlets which apparently only report what they are told to, and not necessarily what is really happening. It's all very disheartening and, quite frankly, a wake up call for citizens of so-called "FREE" countries.

I'd like to take one of the following sketches (or something similar) and create my next Moo. If this is where I can have a voice, then, dammit, I'll take it.

Click image to enlarge.

Find out more information about what people are saying about their experiences at the G20 here.
Thanks for stopping by.
Don't forget that you have a voice!

Jules Mae

The Vintage Gardener

The Apron of Doom, as mentioned in the last post, was not doomed at all. Just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Heck, I've been there, and I know you have too, so we can find it in our hearts to forgive the poor beggar, right? 
Here the apron has found it's home with a lovely strapless ocher color moo moo (which used to be a skirt, but I'm not telling).  It's so versatile, in fact, that the upper elasticized band can be adjusted to your perfect size. the ties can be tied around your neck if you like that look, or you just like the security of knowing there's no chance of boobie mishap.

The apron has been lovingly made of vintage 70s floral cotton twill and sports a large 360 degree run of pockets for all of that gardening paraphernalia (small tools, seed packets, gloves ... you know). I forgot to photograph it this way, but you can also use it as a lovely cape/shrug on chilly evenings. See, it's a very useful engine (all you parents out there will get that reference).

I added the vintage floral trim to the top because, well, there were a couple very small holes in the original ocher fabric, and instead of throwing it out, why not get creative and play with it? In essence, you end up with a very unique, one of a kind, earth loving dress.  Not too shabby.

And here is the design sketch, which I completed after I constructed the moo ...

Thanks for checking in!  Feel free to leave you comments below!  65 more Moo Moos to go!

Jules Mae
PS: View this Moo Moo on Etsy!
PLEASE NOTE: The earrings shown here are made by my (soon to be 9 yr old) daughter. Find them at her store Ape Design

Moo Moo 34 A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Garden

I'm back, after a short break, with what was at first loosely intended to be a garden inspired Moo. While I still feel this one is Garden-ish, it is the result of a dramatic new beginning part way through the project.
You see, I had started with the original Moo Moo under dress in the deep purple and then continued on to create a garden apron complete with pockets and embellishments. I love mixing color, pattern and texture, so I try to allow myself to throw caution to the wind when it comes to mixing things up. This time, however, the feeling of imminent doom was beginning to hang over my sewing table like a dark cloud. So, instead of wallowing in it, I put the original apron aside and began a fresh start. 

I added some filigree embellished gold-colored heart buttons to the front of the apron. There are also tucks at the hem, which you can most clearly notice in the first photo. A pleat at center back and long shoulder straps give this addition to the Moo some versatility. Wear the straps straight or criss-cross them (which will bring the topline of the apron up over your bust, instead of lazily under them). There is still quite a lot going on visually with this Moo, and my strappy-stripey shoes are "mixing shit up" some more. I haven't decided if it works yet - the shoe/moo combo.

 This last photo is a detail of the Moo's upper pocket. I let the stitches dance around a bit, adding whimsy.

And what's to become of the original apron of doom?  Oh, it'll work. Some other time, with some other Moo.

Thanks for stopping in! Happy Father's Day to all the dear ol' dads out there!!

Jules Mae

You can find this Moo for sale on Etsy.