The Skirt Project, part 2

Part 2: The Supplies Are In

(or at least most of them)

So what do we have here??  Oh, where to start??!?!?!

First we have these lovely brass buttons, I mentioned them in part 1.  They are from the Post Office Department, which would become the United States Postal Service in 1971.  They look bigger than they are, you can get a bit of perspective in the first picture.  One of them is missing here, it's little ring on the back is pretty bent and it wouldn't stand up for my shot.

Since we are talking about buttons - here are the French Post Office buttons, I mentioned these before as well.  These ones are a bit bigger than the POD buttons and seem a bit less worn.  Not that either is a bad thing, just an observation.

On to the ribbons!!!  This is some pretty basic ribbon.  Probably made of nylon, the colors fit the idea and it was inexpensive so I bought a couple of yards.

Here is the fancy ribbon.  This one cost a few pennies more (sarcasm, it was a lot more), but it is beautiful.  I got this off an etsy seller based out of the UK.  <3  So perfect for the project.

Last, but certainly not least, are the bias tapes and piping.  When I was searching I found 10 mm wide airmail bias tape a couple of times, but I was looking for something wider, something that would make more of a statement on my hem line, then I found a seller, I think they are in Singapore - they were selling bias tapes in two widths, 10 and 15 mm AAAAAND they had airmail piping!!!  I haven't quite decided what to do with the 10 mm bias tape, but given the cost of shipping, I didn't want to buy the other two and then later on wish I had bought the 10 mm, so I bought all three.  The piping will be the trim around at least one of my pockets, to make it look like an airmail envelope.

Well, that's all I have to share for today, hopefully I will soon have some time to start taking measurements, experimenting with the fabric and generally working towards having this project completed by the end of Sept.  Can I do it??  By golly, I hope so!

Until next time, thank you for reading my blog. :)

The Skirt Project, part 1

So after spending far too much time online, primarily on sites like etsy and ebay (shields face from ridicule), I came up with the wild and crazy idea of making an Airmail Skirt.  Right about now, you may be wondering, what could this wonderful sounding garment be?  Well, I'll tell you - or show you over a series of blog posts - or at least that's idea.  Hoping I don't get too busy to post progress.

The idea is that I want to make a skirt, knee length-ish that shouts (in a friendly, not obnoxious manner) "Airmail - postal history - I love mail!"  I say all of those things anyway, but wouldn't it be great to have a skirt that did all of that for you?

My basic premiss thus far is that the main fabric is a beige muslin, it looks nice and grainy, which is why I chose it (it didn't hurt that it was pretty inexpensive) and I wanted something that reminds me of an envelope or mail bag.  Also, I have bought some blue and red (airmail) striped piping and bias tape to accent the skirt - it hasn't arrived yet, but when it does, I'll post pictures.  I am toying with the idea of pockets, so far I want one that looks like an envelope, this is where the airmail piping comes in, I'll put it around the border to make it look like an airmail envelope - and for a possible second pocket, I am considering making it look like a postcard.  I have a decent size postcard rubber stamp (just need an ink pad for use on fabric) that I am thinking will make a great pocket design.  Other thoughts are to find some stencil and paint "AIRMAIL" and "PAR AVION" strategically along the hem of the skirt - if you haven't fainted yet, it doesn't end there.  I have bought some amazing old, brass buttons, one set if from some La Poste, the French Postal Service's uniform back in the day and the other set are Post Office Department (the predecessor of the US Postal Service) buttons from the 60s or 70s.....sounds too recent to me, but that's what the listing online said, so I'll stick with that for now.  PS It couldn't have really been 70s as the POD went bye-bye in 1971.  So, that where I am thus far.  My deadline is late September, oh, and before I go, I want to share with you a few of my potential accessories to go along with the skirt in question.  (Sorry for the not great pictures and the ugly counter top - I am not patient when I am on a mission, my camera battery is dead and it is dark out - welcome camera phone pictures shot in the kitchen.) :)

These cute airmail earrings were bought on etsy a year or so ago, they came from a seller in Australia, love them, but some times a bit awkward to wear.  Not sure if they'll make the final cut.

This amazing broach is also a great etsy find (is there any other kind of etsy find?).  It is like a lie detector of the postally educated kind, I always know I'm near someone who really knows what they are talking about (when it comes to philately and postal history) when I am wearing this.  Case in point, people who have no idea can't figure out what this is and I have gotten guesses such as alien robot or simply "I don't know."  *shakes head*  Those who share the post adoration recognize it instantly.  If you haven't identified it yet, I am not going to tell you. :P

Oh, the Pony Express necklace.  It's simple, but lovely (and not from etsy this time).  A fantastic friend of mine was traveling about the midwest and came across the old Pony Express Station in Gothenburg, Nebraska and bought this and a postcard for me.   <3

Last but not least is my latest ebay find, which I only bought two days ago so mega impressed it's already sitting in front of me.  I do not work for USPS, but I thought this nice, little lapel pin would be a wonderful accent piece for my outfit.

Hope you have enjoyed reading, stay tuned for further developments on the skirt project. :)