Saturday, June 28, 2008

Welcome to the Swap-O-Rama-Rama

I have a tendency to throw myself into chaos from time to time. Today was one of those days. This is what happens when you throw hundreds of pounds of clothing into a gymnasium. . . or was it an auditorium? It was a big room.

. . .then add 10 or so designers to help you refashion your new old clothes into art.

You could screenprint with Aldo:

You could redesign a t-shirt:

or make your own tote with Lori:

You could hang out with Sean in the monster madness corner:

or add some stencils to your stuff:

or how about some L.A. Craft Mafia stencils?

Here's what went on at my applique'in station:

These are some things I learned today:

#1. It's not a good idea to stick a sign like this on your beloved vintage dress form.


Like it? Take it! I meant the clothes. When they were gone, all that remained was the dress form with that sign on it, so of course it got snagged. Luckily, a volunteer noticed what was going on and after sprinting across the crowded room I got it back. It was an honest mistake. If I saw a vintage dress form with a sign like that I'd say "Well alrighty then!" too.

#2. Assistance is a good thing. By the time Jenny showed up I was a wee bit crazy. Observe:

But together we kept the chaos under control. When I found out she was going to be there, I envisioned us leisurely cutting out templates, talking crafty gossip, and stitching appliques on all the funky clothes we could find. Ha! It was more like a whirlwind of scissors and scraps and sewing machine-hopping and people-helping. It was all we could do to exchange crazed glances across the tables and laugh.

But we survived. We even got to hang out with Sonja for a bit. I met Sonja at the Craftmas Bizarre last winter - yet another crazy show. It seems there are some people I only hang out with at extremely busy events. Sonja has written two awesome craft books Just for the Frill of It and Beadalicious. Jenny's got a Sew Darn Cute book coming out in the winter. Me? I got nothing.


Now for the applique fashion show.


Whew! I need a bath. Check out Jenny's Flickr set for better, less dark pictures. I took the old camera today because I didn't want to lose the good one.

The funny thing is, as much as I love thrift stores and rummage sales, I wasn't even interested in getting anything today. It was more fun watching other people get the good stuff and cheering them on from the sidelines.

10 comments:

Stephanie said...

That sounds like a TON of fun!

Michele said...

You guys look like you had so much fun...wish I lived closer to you.

btw...I love your hair like that...looks sooo cute!

Mucha Muchacha said...

Yeah sister! It was a good time:)

Donna said...

Terrific write-up KB, you described the chaos perfectly! Your applique station was very popular, it was great to have you there. I love how excited everyone looks with their new and improved clothes. :-)

Anonymous said...

hey kb, i see that you're killin it as usual. there's a band coming your way http://www.theeverybodyfields.com/site.php. you gotta go see them. tell everyone. they ARE the REAL DEAL. i'm working hard to get them to play here in shepherdstown in october, biut they will be in your neck of the woods sooner than ours. so you gotta get a babbysitter and go. please. yu guys rock. we miss you.

love,
shepherdstown p.med.b.

KB said...

Thanks everyone. My head has finally stopped reeling from the whirlwind of it all. I encourage everyone to try this, even if it's on a small scale among friends.

Kim said...

Wish I could have been there, it looks like a killer time. Boy could I have some fun at your station....

yaesumofo said...

I had a great time at the Swap o Rama Rama.
I have to admit it was me that tried to make off with the dress form. I am sorry about that. But it did say to take it. I know My wife regrets not taking her mothers dress form when she died.... I am so know that they are immensely useful tools to somebody who has a passion for sewing as my DW does. One of these days I will find one and buy it for her.
Back to the swap... It really was a unique afternoon. Seeing people get together and having so much fun really was a joy. I ended up making an ugly doll with my kid and poking through the clothes which came in piles.
I look forward to the next one. Thanks to all of the people who worked so hard to make it happen. It was cool.
Yaesumofo

KB said...

Ha! No hard feelings yaesumofo. I'm glad you had a good time.

Elizabeth said...

That sounds like it was a fabulous event! I love the idea of having all the stations to embellish clothes.

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