Project Minima:

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Ain't It A Darning Shame

And now ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure...mom's elbow length, ivory knitted and pearl decorated gloves!  That's what I'm highlighting today for the Ethical Fashion Bloggers October DIY knit challenge.  No, they weren't handmade by me, but I did clean, darn, and mend them so I can make this fashion statement:
Voila!
Yes, yes, I've just highlighted the gloves.  
and here's a close-up
AI-yi-yi, my inexperienced darning job

Otherwise I am wearing an old pillowcase turned into a top with a lace and trim collar and mom's old kitchen curtains turned into pantaloons all made by me.  The boots, however, were recently bought, used, as confessed here (click on the bold items to see more about them.)

Check out what other Ethical Fashion Bloggers have brought to the October DIY Knit challenge after Tuesday.  And I'm joining others at the Pleated Poppy.


24 comments:

  1. Such beautiful gloves. I think your darning job is superb. These are gloves with a life and stories. I love how you've styled them with this outfit. The cool thing about your blog is I always get lost in the "You might also like" section...!

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    1. I have a whole bag of my mom's old dress gloves that are so cool. Styled? That's my PJs I was wearing when I darned them...well, I did put on THE boots, oh and the lace collar. oooo Melanie, I love that you can get lost in the might also like section!

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  2. I swoon over gloves and this pair is no exception. Love the pearls. I learned to darn when I was very young, so I understand the concept. I haven't made an attempt for years, so I'm very impressed with your efforts.

    Just checked your post about buying the beautiful pair of boots. I think it's a good thing and confessions always help the spirit.

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    1. Yes that's right, you are a glove wearer, of course. I only wear them according to the weather outside. But I have so many cool ones from my mom. I couldn't believe my luck when I found the exact color and thickness of yarn in my stash for darning. And I don't even knit, crochet, or darn! Thank you for your blessings about the boots, Judith.

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  3. How does one be ethical and a creative genius all at once! You've got what it takes Pao. Nice job on the gloves. I kind of enjoy darning. It makes me feel so frugal and smart.
    I love the idea of pantaloons made from kitchen curtains. Watch out for bees though!

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    1. It was an interesting experience I thought as I was doing it. The whole idea that the needle isn't sharp and that I'm wearing the glove as I "sew." I don't really know how to do it, but what the heck. I figured I could always cut them up to be fingerless gloves. Yea, the kitchen curtains into pantaloons practically jumped into being by themselves.

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    2. You're hilarious! You're not suppose to wear the things as you darn them! You're going to lose your fingers and then you won't be able to create such lovely things again. ;(

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    3. Really?! How else can you darn the fingers on a glove without sewing the whole thing together? Tell me that now, miss smarty pants Joni!

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  4. What fabulous gloves, no scrub that, what an incredible outfit! You look like a funky Edwardian lady with the addition of those cool as heck boots!
    The gloves are stunners. I get a strange kick out of darning or mending something old and past it's best, too! xxx

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    1. Hey Vix, it's so cool to find out that people not only darn, but like doing it too!! The world is a better place for it, I do declare.

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  5. You are unique pao, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  6. Again, you're a woman after my own heart with these glamorous yet thrifty gloves. I love gloves! I'd wear them all year round if I could (hmm, maybe I can). I haven't the foggiest idea how to darn so your handiwork looks great to me.
    BTW -- I've been going to London for weeks/months at a time for the past 2 years. My boyfriend is British. He just moved into a new flat that is more centrally located, which makes my time in London even more exciting now.

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    1. Ah, perhaps Vix can show you the ropes on darning when you visit her this weekend! She says she gets a kick out of it. How great to be visiting London all the time.

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  7. Pat, your endless creativity astounds me. Those repaired and adorned gloves are just beautiful. I know how hard it is to make gloves because The Costume Technician had to make several pairs from scratch in her master's program. You are smart to save a pair and turn them into something so lovely.

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    1. I do love saving old things so they can keep on going! Kinda like me, I guess.

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  8. HOLY SH*T!! Not only are the gloves astounding, the whole lacy-whiteness of the outfit juxtaposed with the slammin' boots reminds me of Tao Comme Des Garcons.

    I'm finally digging out from under in my sewing room and a post like this is exactly what I need to keep me inspired. God bless you.

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    1. I don't know what/who Tao Comme Des Garcons is - I'll have to look it up. I'm looking forward to what you put together next, Jean. Your designs are so uniquely yours.

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  9. I think your darning is excellent! I see glass darning eggs at antique markets, but my grandma used a fallen-off doorknob, always had a basket of socks ready to mend, and enjoyed the double meaning of "darn."

    I had to chase down more images of your pantaloons - they make me happy! - and like Melanie, got lost in contemplation of all your beautiful tunic-reworking and essential pocket-adding. Of course it is so nice to see The Boots, which pair beautifully with your the amazing gloves. I love that you are finding ways to use, repurpose / rework and enjoy your mother's things.

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    1. Yes I've heard using an old light bulb, or even a baking potato works well for darning.

      I do love pantaloons and bloomers. I don't even know how many of them I've made by now, but they're a joy to wear and offer so many stylin' opportunities.

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  10. The soft white and cream pieces look amazing with your boots. Gloves are a very special accessory, and I'm convinced all the best ones are passed down. I wear a marvelous pair that belonged to my husband's grandmother.

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    1. Gloves are cool - like hats are - for knocking it up a notch, I agree. Especially the kind that have nothing to do with keeping your hands warm.

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  11. The curtain pantaloons are great! When I first saw them I wondered if it was in fact a vintage Victorian petticoat you were wearing. Lovely gloves too!

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    1. Nay, curtains will work for me. I'm still so impressed with your flamenco dancing and the energy surrounding it. Can't get it out of a mind...

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