Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Gertie's Sewing Show, Episode 2!
It's here! The next installment of my new sewing web series. This one is a sewist's review of the exhibit Charles James: Beyond Fashion, now showing at The Met Museum. I'm joined by my lovely fellow sewing nerds Allyson and Fleur.
The purpose of Gertie's Sewing Show was to be "nonstop excitement for the sewing nerd." Not just tutorials, but a dialogue about the things that make us go "Ooh!". Infotainment, if you will. I hope you enjoy it.
Check out my snazzy new intro! Music courtesy of guitar genius and songwriter extraordinaire Mark Ellison (thanks, Mark!). Editing and such done by dear friends Martin Kemp and Fleur Hoare. Entire series made possible by Elna sewing machines.
Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you never miss an episode. Upcoming episodes include a tutorial on using spiral steel boning and a look inside some really awesome vintage dresses. Sewing nerds unite!
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wait, what is this dress? i don't remember it... fabric?
ReplyDeleteWhich dress are you talking about?
DeleteThe leopard dress is a modified Sultry Sheath from Gertie's book!
DeleteOh, the dress I'm wearing! I get it now. It is from my book, but it's a variation of the Wiggle Dress.It's a metallic leopard print brocade. Rawr!
DeleteGreat show Gertie! One thing I think worth mentioning with the new Costume Institute gallery is that they got rid of the glass vitrines they used to exhibit dresses behind, think the Channel exhibition. I think this is a huge improvement from a viewers perspective. There was still some glass in this exhibition, which is a shame because it seems like they used it only for putting quotes on. I wish they would get away from that. It's kind of goofy in my opinion. One last thing, I was frustrated that there were no labels and only video. While I agree the animated videos were amazing and definitely a fresh perspective on dress making, I found it frustrating that to find the name, date and info about the dress itself, required watching the whole video.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, it's an exhibition worth seeing and the catalog is spectacular.
Great points! I hadn't thought about the glass. I think keeping the glass downstairs contributed to the cluttered feeling.
DeleteThose who are hearing impaired NEED print media...not video!
DeleteTHanks for sharing your impressions of the exhibit for those of us who live too far away to attend. I was intrigued when you mentioned that the gowns were re-created. By any chance could you contact the curators and request a special viewing of the making of the reproductions? OR something like that?
ReplyDeleteAgain, great re-cap. There is a personal Charles James exhibit on display in Houston - the Menil collection which I hope to catch before it closes.
Fleur, LOVE your hair!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if anyone else had this problem but the sewing show was very hard to hear. I had my computer turned up as loud as it would go and I could barely hear you lovely ladies! I will try watching again when there is complete silence in my house! Thanks for all you do, Gertie!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't hear anything after the intro music! I turned my computer all the way up and there was no sound.
DeleteI just remembered something, my left ear has stopped working on my earphones - could that have something to do with it?
Liked everything about the broadcast except the 'likes,' like, you know. This is a verbal tick that doesn't belong in a professional podcast. It something one overlooks in conversation with a friend, but starts to grate, like, if your moderator, like, spatters you, like, with likes all throughout and gives an amateurish tone to an otherwise interesting discussion.
ReplyDeleteWe'll keep tuning in, however for great content.
That was fascinating, Gertie.
ReplyDeleteHave to admit I'd never heard of Charles James, but perhaps he influenced one of my aunts, who made me a ball gown back in the 50s. She was an avid dressmaker.
Like Allyson, I'm more interested in the coats, so hope to look into those designs. Sadly too far from you to visit the exhibition.
Really fun interview! Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteWow. I was completely not interested and a little disappointed when you introduced your subject, because I'd not heard of Charles James and I don't live close enough to see the exhibit. But, after a few minutes, I'm googling his name and kind of mesmerized by the pictures of these gowns that came up. Thanks for introducing me to this designer. Well done, splicing pictures of the exhibit with your video conversation.
ReplyDeleteThis was completely fascinating. Thank you for bringing the Charles James show to me here on the west coast!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, you are great on camera. Good job! I look forward to the next one.
Hi Gertie,
ReplyDeleteI love your videos. You are so sweet on camera, and I'm really looking forward to lots more. I could hear everyone perfectly, by the way. Charles James is an amazing subject, and I wish I could go to the exhibition too. Hopefully one day I will make a fabulous evening gown and have a reason to wear it. I'm just about finished your Sultry Sheath and I can't wait to start the next one. Hopefully the fit will be as I hoped from the muslin stage, and next time I'll be able to improve. Sewing is so much fun! I have learnt most of my skills from your book - how cool is that!? Thank you for all of your wonderful work xxxxx
Having googled his coats, it seems he was the originator of the cocoon coat, which appeared in patterns not so long ago.
ReplyDeleteAlso the asymetrical designs, very popular in coats and other garments in France for the last few years. Though it's not my style, quite difficult to wear and "get away with".
so Gertie, how is Henry doing lately?.. we haven't seen him in a while :)
ReplyDeleteOh I love your show Gertie - and I wish I could go to NYC to visit the exhibit. (Anyone has a ticket left for crossing the Atlantic...?) But most of all I'm looking forward to the episode inside vintage!
ReplyDelete