Introducing: Summer Camp Shirt

Available at Brooklyn Renegade craft fair, June 23-24.

Short-sleeved, one pocket. 100% cotton. Sizes 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46 (one of each).  Four available for order following the craft fair.

Extra button sewn to inside of front band

Minutiae and Momentousness

I have been in production mode for the past few weeks, getting ready for Renegade craft fair in Brooklyn next month.  This week I am finishing up five linen dress shirts (more info on those soon).  Production mode is quite different from design mode, in that I do each process involved in building a shirt five times in a row (make five collars, make ten sleeve plackets, etc.).  Today I concentrated on some of the benefits of repetition, such as the process of perfecting skills.  It's amazing to me that, with barely any conscious action, once I get to the fifth shirt, the results are not only better, but faster than the first shirt!  Repetition, such a huge part of our everyday lives, can also be comforting and confidence-building.  So, I was taking a meditative approach to the work all day.

Then, half-way through the day, my meditative reflection on repetition was interrupted by a reminder of the big picture of the work that I'm doing.  I received a package from another independent designer, Fischer, containing a shirt I'd ordered!  I savored the experience of opening the beautiful packaging and getting to know my new shirt!  A personal note and surprise gift were included as well, which made it even more special.  I know this piece of clothing will be in my life for a long time, and a regular part of my week.  While immersed in the construction details of each cut piece of fabric, I had temporarily forgotten that the work I am doing is part of a larger movement of locally designed and made clothing, and remembering that allowed me to appreciate each part of the process even more.

Renegade craft fair--Brooklyn

The list of artists that will be at the Brooklyn Renegade craft fair this summer has just been posted!  I am happy to announce that five8ths is included!!  The artists are listed in alphabetical order, or you can find me by looking for the detail image of the Lawn shirt from this season.  I've just spent a good chunk of time visiting the websites of some of the other artists on the list, and I couldn't ask for better neighbors at the fair!  

Renegade craft fair

June 23-24 at the Williamsburg Water Front in Brooklyn

Stay tuned for more info on the styles that will be available at the fair!

Muslins

This week, I have been sewing a muslin version of each of the custom slopers that I drafted last week.  Drafting and sewing five different custom slopers at a time has emphasized the many differences in body shapes that aren't accommodated for in standard sizing.  These variations in shape are unique enough that when I hold up a finished pattern or muslin, it's like looking at a puzzle piece that will fit only in one space, and I am able to visualize the person for whom the muslin was drafted. Even though the outline of a men's shirt is generally rectangular, the subtle variation in cut built specifically for each customer is visible. 

Drafting

I have been drafting custom patterns all week to fulfill orders from my new spring/summer line.  Thank you to everyone who placed an order!

OCD

For my whole adult life, I have been self-conscious about my tendency to be a bit OCD.  I always worry that I will annoy people by being so thorough, so fastidious, so knit-picky, etc.  I'm always apologizing for these behaviors, both verbally and with my body language.


Recently, I've experienced the benefits of being so particular, so attentive to detail-----it means that I do a good job on a number of things (where this would be important)!  That high standard for the quality of every detail of what I'm working on has been noticed both in my Montessori activities and my work in fashion.  It really boosted  my confidence to, for the first time, acknowledge that something I've always considered a failing might actually be an asset (while still underscoring that it can also be a hinderence in certain ways and activities).  


I don't feel, for once, that I need to apologize for the way that I am, but that it is what makes me great at what I do! :)

Spring is here!

The men's spring/summer line is available now!