Next up: Pintuck

This week’s tailoring term is raglan, as in “raglan sleeves”. If you own a pseudo baseball tee (a t-shirt where the sleeves are a different color than the torso), you own a raglan sleeve top. These shirts are cut so that the top of the sleeve actually helps form the neckline. The diagonal seam from the neck, across the chest, and into the armscye actually helps fit the t-shirt closer to the body. By using this type of sleeve, you get a more fitted shirt without having to add bust darts. Darts are great, but don’t look the best when used on knit fabrics.

This week’s profile it’s Lizzie, a determined former bridesmaid who WAS going to wear her dress again. We started with a floor length, navy blue satin gown. A decent dress, but  this girl is fashion forward, so she brought it to us, with visions of a jumpsuit in her head. 

Inspired by Lizzie’s excitement, I did some sketches, took some measurements, and patterned some shorts. Honestly, the first fitting can sometimes be a bit rough, but Lizzie was a real trooper, and I was able to adjust my pattern accordingly. I removed the skirt, and sewed up a second mock-up of the shorts. We were running out of muslin (cheap fabric, usually used to try out patterns before cutting into the expensive fabric) though. So I cut the second version of the shorts from a piece of faded blue twill. Originally, Lizzie and I planned on the whole romper being made out of the navy satin, but she loved the different material! It opened the dress up to more casual possibilities, and she was never a huge fan of the satin material. I finished off the mock-up in a more permanent manner (smaller stitch length, serging of seam allowance, setting the zipper, ect).

You can see that the romper fit Lizzie perfectly, and she even wore it to the boutique’s closing party! Thus was one of my favorite projects I’ve done all year, and the timing was amazing. Attention all bridesmaids: you CAN wear that dress again; you just might need to get a little creative about it

Accoutre - sold online

Brownbelle - sold online

Ciao Nina - online & at Proper Topper

Elaine B Jewelry - online & at Modern Artifacts in Richmond & Bittersweet in Charlottesville.

Elizabeth Graeber - online & Pleasant Plains Workshop & Trohv.

Fabric Paper Glue - on Etsy

Fisitcuffs - sold online

Goldilocks Goodies - sold online 

GoshDarnKnit - sold online

Handmade Habitat - sold online

I Found That Vintage  online & at Blue’s Hard Goods

Illumiknits

Jennifer Jeremias - sold online

Kate Reipel - online & at these shops

Lamar Abrams- sold online

Lauren Joan - sold online

Motley - sold online.

Notoriously Vintage - sold online.

Quarter Life - sold online.

Rachel Pfeffer - sold online.

Tynise Nicole

Xyla

YB Green - sold online.

This weekend through the end of Tuesday’s party, you’ll be able to score your favorite artists’ goodies on sale! Below is a list of each artist’s sale:

30% off everything from the always fabulous Ciao Nina!

30% off of painted bags & wallets from DC illustrator Elizabeth Graeber

30% off of Clara’s geometric earrings

30% off Mimilah vintage

20% off on Fabric Paper Glue’s super cute purses & clutches

20% off YB Green’s older collections

15% off of Alyx’s handmade, polymer clay necklaces

10% off on Elaine B Jewelry

10% off of Lauren Joan’s statement pieces

And because we’re making room for the new Summer line:

 20% off Ginger Root’s clothing (excludes Lady Ties, Ascots, Men’s Ties & Pocket Squares)

Next up: Pintuck

A pintuck is a very narrow pleat permanently sewn down its entire length. Found most commonly on shirt yokes and dresses, it’s a decorative fabric manipulation that helps control and shape excess material. Tuxedo shirts (excluding the 70s ruffled ones, of course) illustrate how this technique is also used in menswear.

Pintucks in a blouse

*Image courtesy of Lyst

We chatted to see she would like to keep it as a dress and she decided she would get more wears out of it as a top that she could wear casually and to work. So we shortened the hem to tunic length and shortened the straps and there you go! Now she can wear this top and those memories from her wedding .

Do you have an item in your closet with some sentimental value, but you don’t know how to change it so you can keep wearing it? Worry not! We can brainstorm how to redesign it into something you will wear over and over again. Just give us a call at 202-567-7668 or email us at info@gingerrootdesign.com

Next up: Swing Tack 

A swing tack is a thread chain made by hand-crocheting a chain stitch. Its used to hold two or more layers loosely together. If you have a pair of lined pants or a lined skirt, a swing tack will be used to fix the lining to a certain point of the garment. Otherwise, the lining can twist around the leg or body, making the garment uncomfortable to wear.

We removed the sleeves and met up again to discuss how she wanted the fit, and what color accent stripe she wanted across the back.  We decided to fit the vest so it was cropped, and could be worn buttoned and super tailored, or un-buttoned to be a little more casual an relaxed.

Now she has a sassy new piece to add to her closet and wear around town in DC!

Do you have an old jacket that you love the fabric on, but you are ready for it to have another life cycle as something else?  Just give us a call at 202-567-7668 or email us at info@gingerrootdesign.com.

Who is responsible?

First off, the reports state that there was knowledge of cracks on the building and the police had ordered an evacuation. However the factory owners claimed everything was ok and made everyone go back to work the next day. I would be curious to know whether this pressure was strictly at the mercy of the factory owners, or if there was pressure from the contracting companies to keep things going. As for the companies involved, AP states:

“Among the businesses in the building were Phantom Apparels Ltd., New Wave Style Ltd., New Wave Bottoms Ltd. and New Wave Brothers Ltd. garment factories, companies that make clothing for brands including Benetton, The Children’s Place and Dress Barn. Workers said they didn’t know what specific clothing brands were being made in the building because labels are attached after the products are finished.”

These big clothing companies did not cause the collapse, but they certainly are not helping. One could say that they are bringing jobs to an area that really needs it, and they are helping the community. However I can just about guarantee that bringing these production jobs had little to do with the desire to stimulate their economy and help with growth. They brought these jobs to Bangladesh because they are currently cheaper than China. These companies are not investing in better factories or helping with repairs, and they are not there to help the community. They go to factories like this one because they can get away with workers only being paid $37 a MONTH, working long days, six days a week. Sure that might be acceptable there, but we know better.

These companies want to keep cutting their costs so the people at the top can make more money. They are never content with being consistently successful—each year they have to make more and more money. At a certain point quality and ethics are sacrificed.

And then there comes us, the consumer. We demand cheap things. We have been trained to buy lots of cheap things often, instead of investing in more expensive pieces that will live much much longer. We have officially grown into this form of disposable fashion, where we buy an item, expecting you will have to rebuy it next season because it will have already fallen apart, but why? We have formed shopping habits, and we have all been there, so there is no need for finger pointing in this situation. Price used to reflect quality, and now it unfortunately usually reflects how good the marketing is of the big retailers.

What can you do now?

1. Every time you buy something, you are actually voting. When you support a certain company, you are also supporting their whole chain, ending at the garment in the store, but not forgetting the farmer who grew the cotton, the factory that made the textile, the person who designed the pattern and sizing, the people that actually sewed the garments, and all the little people in between that maintained the machinery, the transportation from place to place to place, and so forth.
2. Also, if you find a company that you love, because of the quality or good business practices, tell others! Word of mouth is such a great force!
3. Go to your local markets and buy fun jewelry and clothing from local artists. There is no need to feel guilty after shopping, but it is totally possible to feel good about your purchases. That money is going directly back into your community, and you can actually meet the people who made it.

Nothing will ever get done until we start the conversation. If you disagree with what I am saying, please leave a comment, and if you agree with what I am saying, please leave a comment as well. I feel like we have all gotten so used to just reading, and I genuinely want to start the conversation, so please, start somewhere and just share your thoughts.

You can learn more about the collapse of the factory here. Image courtesy of the Washington Post.

We will only be carrying Rachel’s jewelry until the end of the month, but it has been an absolute pleasure to feature her work in our store. She is one of the longest-running artists at Ginger Root and each item she has brought us has been a treasure.

Before we say adieu to this gal, get acquainted with her and her lovely jewelry line.

How did you come to Ginger Root Design? When I moved to DC over two years ago, I was walking around with my friend Emily, exploring the stores on U St, when we decided to walk into Ginger Root. I remember Kristen being so friendly and excited to talk about the store, which was open just for a couple of months at that point. Shortly after that I started working as a shop girl, and was selling my jewelry in the store!

What inspired you to begin making jewelry? After graduating from college, I was working in the Boston Science Museum and teaching myself how to make jewelry. I majored in sculpture, and grew up in a jewelry store with a jeweler for a dad, so I was always around it. Suddenly it clicked in me that I wanted to do that too.

How has your work evolved over time?  My work has certainly grown and changed over time, becoming more sophisticated in both design and workmanship. Since I never went to school for it, my techniques are constantly changing.

What inspires your designs and creations? I just make things that I would want to wear, and would admire on other people! I like to think of my pieces are quirky but sophisticated.

What is your favorite thing to do in DC? My favorite thing to do in DC is get a great coffee at one of the many delightful cafes and people watch or read a magazine outside. Though most likely I’m just checking emails on my phone.