No Idle hands here

Topanga Vintage Market

Lately my posts are more about what I am seeing and doing about town. I haven’t stopped making things, not by a long shot. Some of the items have to wait to be shown – because they are gifts.

I haven’t been sitting around moping, I’ve been out and about, exploring the city and my own little corner, The Valley.Although the Topanga Vintage Market has been around for a few years, I just discovered it this weekend. It takes place on the 4th Sunday of the month in a large parking lot at Pierce college. So parking is free, entrance fee is only $3 and yes, one has to deal with the heat in the summer. Most of the vendor sell ‘antiques’, one persons’ junk is another person treasure.

This quilt may for for sale, it has very good workmanship, it also has the ubiquitous small floral fabric that was ‘quilting cotton’ in the 70s and 80s. What is unusual is the solids, heck that almost makes it modern!More quilts and unfinished tops. Once again, that floral. The color combination here is giving me a headache. The yellow is fine, I can see why it was combined with the floral, problem with those florals is that from a foot away all you see is muddy dots, nothing reads clearly. Anyway, I am very impressed with the design, each six cited star is cut from the solid fabric, and the triangles are inserted with a y-seam, something many quilters avoid. The resulting Hexagons are fun. The quilter gave up though and never finished the project. I wonder if I every met her years ago when I still went to the San Fernando Valley Quilt Guild?This doll is made from Cheater cloth, she was among many toys being sold.A very scary rocking horse. Must have been in someone’s garage for years. These fellows are garden ornaments, there was a whole menagerie of upcylced animals, I had to capture the goat.Not all items are old, instead of just taking a picture, I could have use one of these parasols. Did I mention it was hot?So much to see! So many pictures to take, I found myself drawn to glass.This orange is for my friend Becky.Once upon a time, people smoked in their homes and had things called ashtrays for their cigarettes, they also used something called matches that came either in a small box or a fold-over case. Watch some old film noir, you’ll see what I’m talking about.Blown glass lamps and a very strange chandelier, I checked it out, I think someone took the time to paint it pink, I’d love to see it lit at night.
Also for my friend Becky, a teardrop trailer. Clearly people want to buy the trailer since that is the one item that isn’t for sale.Once upon a time these faucet handles were everywhere. though the purple has to be rare. There were two tables full, not sure what someone would use them for. Oh wait, Simon Rodia, the man who built the Watts towers used them for two purposes, as a stamp in the concrete and then as part of the mosaic itself.This sign stole my heart, Gilmore Gasoline is what built the Farmers Market, where I meet with my knitting friends every Thursday night.The dress and earrings are new, the bracelet is old fimo beads, I’m taking it apart and combining with other beads to make a necklace that will go perfectly with this outfit.

Downtown at Night

This month is Last Remaining Seats at the Los Angeles Conservancy, so I’ve been downtown a lot at night. This time I’ve even brought my good camera.The Globe theater is no longer a theater and can never be one again, the floor was leveled years ago, these stores next door are what used to populate Broadway, and slowly will be moving away and replaced by upper scale shops. I don’t know what is in this store front now, but they went out of their way to reinstall the original marquee.At dusk the neon is lit. The Rialto is also no longer a theater. This is the kind of store that is filling the store fronts on Broadway.The Orpheum with the lights on.Oops they need to fix the M.This is one I should frame, I love the reflection, the street sign and the advertisement for the Bill Graham show.The neon really sings at night.The Palace, which was the original Orpheum.

DTLA at night is very lively on weekend, the great changes that come with revitalization.

Eastern Columbia building

My Art Deco tour ends at this building, on the corner of 9th and Broadway. One of the most beautiful Art Deco buildings, or any style of building for that matter in LA.Did you know that many buildings actually own the sidewalks? They do, and in many cases are generous enough to let the city/public use them. Back in the 1930s they often decorated them, here in colored Terrazzo, including the name of the building.What it is really known for, aside from the blue and turquoise terra cotta is the four sided clock tower. This clock tower rises 114 ft about the height limit for buildings in Los Angeles. (Limit of 150 ft was in place until 1959), 114 ft billboard, the space couldn’t be rented out, it could house elevator or air-conditioning equipment, but had to remain empty otherwise.So between the height and the color, this building really stood out on the skyline of downtown.Today the building is getting crowded in by new construction. I used to park in that parking lot, but now with the fencing around it, they are already digging for foundations for a very tall building. New construction in downtown is happening on every parking lot. So I had to rush and get as many images as possible.Images like this are still possible, but very soon, it won’t be empty blue sky in the background.It will be glimpses through alleyways.This is all you can see from across Broadway, impressive, but missing the pyramid. Side view. The clock says Eastern on all sides. The building was built by Adolph Sieroty, a Polish Jew who arrived in California in 1892 along with his brothers and cousins. He was 16 at the time. Together they started the Eastern Clock company – which sold appliances, home furnishings and clocks. By 1894 (Adolph is 18) he moves to Los Angeles, and opens another store – Columbia – this one selling soft goods, clothes, linens and other such household items.The two businesses did very well, by the late 1920’s Adolph decided to build a flagship store and headquarters. The stores would remain separate but he would combine the business side, buying, shipping and such.

The building would not only have the colored terra cotta (Gladding McBean) but real gold and copper. In 1929 prices, he paid $25,000 for the gold alone. The copper has oxidized to somewhat match the tile.One reason for all the details is to give work to people during the depression. He hired the Architect Claud Beelman who had already built many of downtowns Art Deco office buildings. Most of the gold is used in the entrance. The vestibule is two stories high with an incredible sunburst. I need a better picture, the band above the door is embossed with the date the company started, 1892, the date this building was completed, 1930 as well as the name of Adolph himself.Great detail was given to the terrazzo chevrons here. During the 25 years that the two stores occupied the building, there was a long hallway that ran the length of the building, The Eastern was on one side and the Columbia on the other, so shoppers could easily go from one to another.I am rarely downtown at night so to get this images is a treat. Ten years ago the building was converted to loft apartments and is one of the most successful residential buildings downtown. I have been fortunate to visit two of them. The apartments themselves are very spare – of course each owner can do as they wish, but initially you are given concrete walls and floors. Yes, Johnny Depp does own four of the lofts on the penthouse level. People who live in the buiding have confirmed seeing him in the elevator. Another improvement is that now the clock tower is being used. A pool, jacuzzi and workout room are up on the roof.

I think it was 18 years ago that I interviewed here for a textile job, the building had a very different feel at the time, as did the whole area. Change is always happening, although no longer the tallest building at this end of Broadway, it is still a gorgeous, well loved, well used landmark in downtown.

New addition, got those photos I was missing.

Summer knitting, a tee

Knitting a simple Tee shirt seems like a lot of work for a very simple garment. Which is why I haven’t made one in years.

But when a yarn falls into my hands that is rayon, linen and nylon – there is not much else to do with it.It knit up very quickly and it actually does have some slight shaping. It is rather see-thourgh but not terribly so.I guess it’s a little longer in the back. At least I’m smiling in this picture.

Ok, no smile, but you can see the interest in the knit fabric.A quick and easy knit that will not be repeated anytime soon. But I do think I will get some good wear out of this tee.

Millinery – well sort of.

When you sew, anything is possible right? I’ve made clothes, quilts, bags, toys, why not try a hat? I have made hats for the grandkids – so what about me?I’ve had this pattern in my stash for a while, time to break it out and use it. One reason I don’t call this kind of hat making millinery is because – it isn’t really. I noticed right away that even on the pattern envelope the hats have a handmade quality, so yes I knew what I was getting into.

I like version A, the large floppy one.I grabbed my fabric and some horsehair. Horse hair is a sew in lining used in making suits, since it adds structure but is still very malleable. For hats there is something called buckram – which I don’t have so I used what I did.Sewing in the crown, taking my time and using a lot of pins. Hand basting would have been better, but I didn’t have any problems.Although this pattern didn’t call for this, I know that some hats will have wire in the brim so that one can shape it and not have it too floppy. Raiding my beading supplies.

I didn’t take a picture of the finished hat, it was just too floppy and big. So I put it aside and returned to it the next day – with a solution, remove 1.5″ from the brim, it will still be large but not so unmanageable.Another adjustment was finding a thicker stronger wire. I have some very thick copper – it would be too much. I also had this steel wire, left over from some beading project, so I used it. Sewing very very carefully but not carefully enough. Of course the machine needle hit the wire and broke. Finished hat posing with the excess fabric. I’m now wondering, what if I had interfaced the fabric with a thin interfacing as well? I may try that sometime. Also, notice how I’m putting my new trims to good use?!Without the wire the hat would never hold this shape.Here we are, not on display but on my head.I’m probably being way too critical, the hat is adorable!I even wore it out for a long walk, it stayed on my head nicely…And did it’s job, keeping the sun off. I was a little concerned about the weight of the buckle, no problem at all.

The one thing I haven’t made yet is a bathing suit and I actually have a very good pattern, so maybe this summer will be another first in sewing for me.

Buttons! Buttons! Buttons!

As much as I enjoyed seeing how zippers are made, there was no way I was going to get my hands on any of them. Imagine my surprise when I came home with all kinds of buttons instead! Ross the salesman also represents other trim companies, he had many button cards he no longer needs. It was a win-win for both of us, less clutter for him, more for me!Quite a few of lovely rhinestone ones. You notice, there is only one button of each size and style, for me this isn’t a problem, I am very capable of incorporating these in my projects.Although I didn’t get zippers, I did get zipper pulls! I’ve already put one to good use.A project I’ll be sharing later.Buckles and trims.This calls for a project where I can use the gradated sizes.Buttons all the same size, different color! That is much easier to work with.Turns out I had a few cards with these buttons, so I can repeat the red ones.Perfect match for this shirt. Gertie Hirsch has been designing professional patterns, Butterick B6217 is one of her newest ones. I actually really like the big four pattern companies. I’ve been burnt a few times with the newest indie pattern designers. There are some good ones out there, but just being Indie does not make one a good designer. The big four (Butterick, McCalls, Vogue and Simplicity) know what they are doing and often their patterns have more complexity in the design. I opted for the simplest version. With me nothing stays simple long. Trimming with another very busy fabric may seem counter intuitive, but I feel it actually makes the floral fabric pop more. Such an overall small floral can just look like a blur. Picking up the blue and red in another print gives it an oomph that using a solid trim wouldn’t.And now, onto more sewing, with or without my wonderful new buttons and trims.

Zipper factory

I am so happy to have discovered The Los Angeles Obscura Society, I love visiting factories, even more so if it is something close to my heart – like zippers.

U Can is the last remaining zipper factory in the west, only 3 others exist back east. Most zipper production is done in China and to a much smaller extent – Japan.HIram and his brother Malan now run the factory. Their father Paul got into the business in the mid 1980’s and worked hard to keep this kind of small manufacturing here in America. I always say, hard working immigrants are the biggest American Patriots.

These spools are the tape, on their way to dying vats to be dyed in whatever color the client wants.The science of color can fill volumes, what I used to do by sight when I worked for a fabric converter is now done with computers.Not only is the tape dyed, the sliders start out looking like this.They too go through a paint process, similar to auto paint. On a good zipper, the slider the color will not chip off.Pink or red? It’s matters to the client.In time for the 4th of July, it’s nice to see a patriotic bucket.Metal or plastic, two materials for the teeth.This machine has put the teeth on the tape.Joining the zipper, often a client wants a long continuous zipper that they will then cut down to size.In other cases, the whole zipper is assembled before being cut.SlidersEnd stoppers.

UCan has survived the move of all other manufactures to China, they do so by making a superior product, working closely with clients as well as being able to get the product into the clients hands as quickly as possible.

I have never used one of their zippers, they aren’t for sale for the home sewer, that is fine, I can use cheap Chinese zippers. I do find it interesting that in small steps, manufacturing is coming back to the US. I’ve seen it with Fabric companies as well. the whole south Eastern part of downtown is made up of small manufacturing, may it grow and prosper.

Quick Fix

Over the years I’ve made some very nice silk party dresses. We have a wedding to go to, so I pulled them out and they just don’t fit right anymore. Happens to all of us. In digging through my clothes I found a cute, beaded white shirt.

So I took this dressAnd turned it into This skirt.Not bad, I’ll dress it up with nice jewelry and some high heel shoes.

Well, I wasn’t happy with that look, for a wedding I want a DRESS! So I went back and tried on the one dress that fit but just didn’t feel right. (lesson to self, don’t try things on late at night)Aside from the dappled light, this dress is cute and jazzed up with jewelry – even better.We clean up nicely.

At the wedding a number of people commented on how lovely my outfit looks. So much so, that the grooms cousin had this to say:Artisanal Dress. I guess that’s hipster speak for a well sewn handmade dress. So now she wants me to make her one.

Meanwhile, another wedding in September, I think it’s time to make a new party dress.

DTLA off the beaten track

I finished my Downtown Renaissance tour and I was looking down 5th st, there was a lot of activity there, so I headed on east.

I recently heard someone say, the best camera is the one you have on you, I had my phone and the pictures are not bad.Two years ago the King Edward Hotel was bought, cleaned up and now is low income housing. Low income in America is not like anywhere else in the world. Notice an air conditioner and a cable TV satellite.

As to the store ONSOMESHIT, interesting name, check the link, this is BMX clothing. You know skateboarders? I guess BMX is doing crazy stuff on bicycles. Oldest dive bar in the area King Eddy Saloon has new owners, but is still a dive. No I didn’t check it out inside.Engine 23 of course is no longer a fire station, it also appears to no longer be in use. I hope someone saves the building, meanwhile a cat.This is what Broadway looked like 10 years ago. Now there is a whole movement to bring back Broadway, so all of these kind of vendors have moved east, into what was skid row. Los Angeles street was the edge of Skid row, there were always businesses here, mostly garment businesses. One place I have to visit is B.Black and Sons, Best purveyor of wools and tailoring supplies around. It is just beyond this photo. Today many of the businesses are these kind, and the shoppers are here in drove.I don’t think this is still a viable business, I do love the sign.I don’t know when this mural was painted, although this area is still sketchy, Skid row has moved a little further east to San Julian St. and San Pedro St. where the missions and other homeless services are located. Notice how advertising and businesses are now crowding out the mural.This looks like someone had to get everything in on one building, from Buddha, Wicked, Andre the Giant, Day of the Dead and even some Native American messages.City Hall peeking out behind this interesting mural.A closer look. I’m trying to find information about this but can’t find anything yet. This is clearly about the old and new generation of Japanese women. (the mural is not far from little Tokyo). I love the dialogue between the two.Then there are the murals that simply remind me of a quilt, I wonder if the artist is aware of the block, Trip around the world.One more cat, this green one just popped up in Pershing Square, don’t know if it’s just temporary.

Revisiting an old quilt store

The last time I visited The Quilt Emporium was probably about 20 years ago,

I bought a number of fabrics for a quilt that never got made. I stopped quilting for a long time. Now I’m back to quilting and one of those fabrics has survived till now. I think I intended it to be the backing, so I have about 4 yards, I’ve used it through the years, as you can see, most recently in my clamshell quilt.It worked perfectly in this handbag, the stripes in perfect proportion for the bag.

Someone must have mentioned that the shop is now under new ownership and there are now modern fabrics as well as traditional quilt fabrics.I was very pleasantly surprised when I stopped in on Friday. The people are very friendly and the variety of fabrics is best described as eclectic.Whimsical and what looks like 30’s reproduction, well the colors do, these are not contemporary colors at all. I’m thinking of making a large brimmed hat out of these two.I have a number of baby girl quilts to make over the next few months, modern polka dot and a different style of 1930s fabric. I’m gathering pinks right now.With a son named Elk I couldn’t turn down this one! Although I may give it to my SIL Yoch, he has been gathering elk and deer fabric.

I really like the store, a nice vibe and a wonderful selection of fabrics.

Every quilt store finds it’s niche. Candys’ Quiltworks is in a very large space, a lot of fabric, probably the largest selection of batiks around. A lot of floral, novelty but very little modern fabric. Not surprising since they don’t have a website.

Sew Modern is just that, great modern quilting fabric, I’m there once a month for the guild meeting and I rarely leave empty handed.

Then there are the stores downtown, Michael Levine’s who probably carry most of the fabrics these other stores do, in one place. But no classes, no good batting and just the basic tools, not the specialty ones.

I love having choices, I love having rediscovered The Quilt Emporium, I will be back.