I admit it. It's not the first time. I went to put on my favourite t-shirt, a ratty looking grey tank that is soft and fraying from years of wear, when I heard a nasty tearing sound. I contemplate for two seconds the idea of pulling out a needle and thread and quickly decide that there are too many other things I need to do, no time for the old fashioned art of sewing. So I reach for the stapler. And I laugh at the absurdity of it, (I come from a long line of expert sewers, yards and yards of tiny delicate stitches covering dozens of colourful handmade quilts.) I hear the screaming of my ancestors as I punch down through the thin fabric. It's not that I can't sew, I'm actually quite good at it, trained by both my mother and grandmother. But sometimes I find the act of dressing myself in the mornings to be a chore, taking more time than I would like. Yes, I have on occasion been known to work in my p.j.'s, (a habit I am trying to break due to meetings with fedex drivers and drop in neigbors). I was quite excited to learn that the brilliant furniture team of Charles and Rae Eames had both invented their own "uniforms". Rae designed for herself a kind of "frock", a basic black tunic style dress with pockets. She had several of them made in the same colour. Charles decided on button up shirts, bow ties, and cardigan. Intensely practical people they wore the same things for years. I admire their ability to ignore the mass culture at large (on all fronts, not just clothing). I have thought about what I would have as my uniform, several things came to mind (my black lace up boots). But I have a tendency to dress according to my mood, some days I want a lot of colour, and others all black. Today I just wanted to wear my favourite shirt.
If you are considering following my quick "sewing" tip yourself, keep in mind that staples do NOT hold up in the wash. Just so you know. To demonstrate the extent of my laziness, I have in the past stapled skirt hems, blazers, and shoelaces (don't try this). Sometimes quick is not always the best solution.
Posted by kerismith at February 07, 2004 10:13 PMA couple of years ago I watched a documentary about the artist Alexander Calder, having become intrigued with a roomfull of his work I’d seen at the Whitney Museum. (The security guard even let me -- and then helped me -- blow on some of the mobiles to get them to move!)
I’ve always remembered this factoid from the movie: later in life, Calder – who adored the color red – took to wearing one of two red wool shirts every day, no matter what the occasion, from working in his studio to fancy parties. I loved seeing footage of him in his button-up red shirt sitting next to people in suits and dresses! Gutsy!
I don't ever sit down to mend anything. Don't want to spend the time. But I don't grab the stapler, tape, pins etc. I grab my boyfriend! He is the best mender ever. He fixes holes in my socks, jeans, mittens. And he likes to do it. Wow...such a sweetie.
Posted by: Kim on February 11, 2004 01:43 PMHaha..It's nice to know I'm not alone!
I'm usually too lazy to hem my new pants or get them properly shortened, so I just pin them on two sides on each leg. Those blouses/shirts that tend to gape open too much, I'd safety pin those, too! And if I don't have safety pins (like when I'm at work), I use a stapler!
Who knew there were so many other staplers/tapers out there? I feel rather normal right now. Or like I'm at an AA meeting.
"My name is Keri S. and I staple my clothes."
Staplers of the world unite!
What would Martha Stewart say?
Eliane, yes down with LCBO!
Cheers Keri! "Must get some champagne", boy does that sound good. I used to live in France exactly between Champagne and Bordeaux, those were the days. Down with the LCBO.
Posted by: eliane on February 10, 2004 08:58 AMDuct tape works -wonders-, Mabelle! I've also been known to use paper clips. I've rubberbanded a gypsy skirt so it wouldn't get in my way before. I suppose it's hideously shameful to admit that part of my profession used to be 'costumer', isn't it? :P
As a side note: Gaff tape? Is even -better- than duct tape, Keri!
your story of stapling reminds me in a weird way of a cousin of mine who "cut " all her vegetables with scissors in the interest of saving time. she made me laugh with that.
on the subject of uniforms, i've worked for ikea and bc ferries and both places made me wear hideous uniforms. now working on my own i have to make a mad dash for the closet every time the doorbell rings to get out of my pj's.
Does anyone remember that trend of stapling your hair? Good thing that didn't stick around for long...
Posted by: Jasmine on February 9, 2004 05:11 PMI'm gonna have to get me some tape!
Eliane,
Baby you know what I like! That gets my insides all excited and wanting to play. Must make little chairs. Must get some champagne.
That's so funny! I always have used safety pins, paper clips and my favorite: duck tape! I do have sewing as one of my lifetime goals! I had embarrasing moments when I have used masking tape...so I "upgraded" to duck tape! :-)
Posted by: mabelle on February 9, 2004 10:09 AMYep, I'm part of the tape it crowd. My best or worst tape moment (depending on your perspective): Wearing rather chic black velvet pants to a New Year's Eve event and taping up the hems minutes before I had to leave. And yes, I do know how to sew a hem stitch.
Of course, I've also been known to iron clothing that I'm already wearing...don't try this at home! I gave that up when I burned my neck while ironing a blouse collar. Thank God I have a home business now--these "shortcuts" usually happened when I was commuting!
my sister does that! she's always having to hem her pants but, gets too excited to wear her new stuff before she has a chance to do it. that's when the tape comes out.
i remember walking with her once when i looked down and noticed something trailing her. i thought she had just stepped on something but no...it was her tape hem come adrift!
*how funny* she just called me and i told her i was "bad mouthing" her tape hems when she busted out with "my hem is taped right now! 4 inches!"
Posted by: amanda on February 9, 2004 08:52 AMI used to masking-tape my hems when I was in college. Ok, so I still did when I was in grad school some four years ago!
If you try this, never put 'em into the washing machine with the tape still on. Either that, or else I was -really- unlucky with the tape that day.
Posted by: Shuku on February 9, 2004 04:14 AMI think Keri will like this:
http://www.dwr.com/images/newsletter/estambul2.html
Posted by: eliane on February 8, 2004 09:37 PMGeez! from someone who loves to sew... when some article of cloth of mine breaks, I usually religate it to the back of my chest of drawers until I get annoyed at myself! a few years usually does it! :)
Melly
Your post reminded me of:
- Jeff Goldblum in The Fly whose closet is full of identical grey tweed jackets, white shirts and black pants
- An art director I knew who threw out all his clothes and replaced them with white painter pants and six colored sweat shirts ( he looked sort of dorky, actually)
- A family friend, Harvey Bressler, who always wore identical yellow button down shirts and a mustache and a pony tail. Why? He hated it when he went to work and people said "Hey, Harvey, is that a new short?" Or "Nice haircut, Harvey!" so he tried to remain the same for as long as possible.
I have flirted with similar 'uniforms' myself for the time and effort I'd save but find I am not consistent enough as a human being.
I am currently in my hole-y yellow sheep flannel pyjamas and eyeing the stapler.
Ha! I am not the only one who does this! I am always stapling my hems for meetings and stuff, and no one is the wiser.
Posted by: penelope on February 8, 2004 10:17 AM