Cover That Point.

As we have slowly settled into our current abode it has take'n me ages to get the shop space set up. I recently cleared a few more boxes and have set up the ol industrial. Late last night on a whim I decided that I need to have a cover for my scisors in my kit bag.
Busted out a ruff pattern.

Fired up 'MsGreen' and proceeded to build a leather cover for them scissors.

It feels good to build something from idea to finished product all in one go.
So often than not an idea is sketched out. A pattern or two built. Construction begins and then things get left in various state of completion as life steps in and does it's thing. Not this project.

Also stoked to finally have a little work space built out to help get some of those silly ideas out and into projects....

Hope your weekend was a good one and that your week is starting out on a good foot.

"Remember the Golden Rule"
Cheers,
'MrRay'

Work'n Together.

So a long long time ago via this here blog thing I received some nice complements by the good folks over at CXXVI Clothing Co. If you have never seen any of their goods you need to check 'em out! Good stuff if you ask me. The kids have their heads on straight for sure.

Well next thing you know I gots myself a little collaboration thing going with 'em and after a few back and forths via the 'ol email system and the US Postal Service the goods are almost ready to be had....

Image as seen on CXXVI Clothing Co blog.

 Check out their blog for the latest. And once the goods are up I will do a deeper post on the idea and all the work that went into make'n 'em.
Big thanks to Matt over at CXXVI!

R/Co. Project: Piston Tee.

 Huh, summer sure did come and go...
Been super super busy with all sorts of projects and recent travels including a quick jot down south to the 'ol home town of LA. ( more on that later) So needles to say I am way behind on sharing all the goods that have been built over the last few months. Such as this here tee...

At the beginning of summer built this graphic tee. All hand cut from stencils and hand sprayed to apply the ol' grafx.... Fun times.

A little detail of the back graphic.

If anyone out there is interested in one hit me up and I will pass it along.

So what have you been up to?

Cheers!

R/Co. Press: Seattle Magazine.

REDCROW & Littlecrow Seattle Magazine Sep. 2010.
Photo: Howard Petrella

 Our first little bit of press. Not too shabby if you ask me. The boys were a little crazy that day since we did a little local TV show action in the morning then headed out to Sea Mag office for the September issue shoot that afternoon. Good times!
To see a little interview pop on over here and scroll down to the bottom. Don't forget to watch me make a fool of myself by checking out the video while you are there....

Cheers.

R/Co. Project: Shawl Fleece.

 In most of this good 'ol USA it is rost'n and toast'n so a cold weather piece is not something on the mind, but the cold will be upon us again soon so a short while back decided to built a poly cotton jersey fleece shawl neck with a chest pocket and two side seam pockets (can't stand when fleece does not have hand pockets) for when that chill comes creeping back. Also used some hand carved wooden toggle and button that I built out of a wood dowel that was laying around. The Fit turned out a little slimmer than I would like but for a first go I think it's not to shabby. Helped REDCROW be one of winners of this years Seattle Magazine's  Seamless in Seattle design competition.

 More details when you...

R/Co. Project: Canvas & Ink

One of the pieces that got thrown together in the very early morning hours of the day I went to get judged for the design comp put on by Seattle Magazine, was this "hardware store" style apron.  I think it helped push the judges over the edge and pick REDCROW as one of this years winners. 

Made from tea dyed 10oz cotton ducked canvas, double needle construction with a two color stencil that I sprayed with cheep .79 cent paint from, where else, the hardware store. Didn't actually put on the graphic until about 10 min before I had to leave the 'ol garage for the judging... Decided to put the pencil and notebook pocket down low so it would not get covered up by the logo print on the front.

Keep it clean...

Cheers.

Chop, Chop...

While I work on trying to build REDCROW and create pieces and a collection that I want to have and wear I feel that it is the small details and focus on craftsmanship that can, and do, set one apart form others out there and graphics and labeling play a big part in that. But since I do not have a large budget or access to major factories or suppliers I find that I have to make do with what I've got on hand or that I can pick up at the local hardware store, which is my favorite place to go for supplies.
Now I know that screen printing is a very simple way of doing a lot of graphics, and I own several screens, but for some reason I have this desire to try and do things that are in a way not simple, such as block printing and stencils for my graphic needs. Now there is a reason that no one uses block prints for the main purpose of labels and brand ID and that is because it is way more time consuming and tedious to build and cut a wood or linoleum block than to burn a screen and pull some ink.
Not only that but a block print is not as consistent in printing, especially on fabric, as a screen. But the look that a block creates, to me, is awesome and very unique. So that is what I have been playing with, building myself various block prints.I have been using MDF as well as soft rubber cutting blocksas my main material for cutting and have started to play with different inks and dyes to find what will work best for my needs.

Here is a finished cut block of a plaid pattern that I hope to use on a few ideas I have brewing. I made the block using MDF.

And here is the first go on a scrap of fabric. For the test I used watered down acrylic paint, I know not the best 'ink' choice but I just wanted to see if I needed to fix any spots... and it was right there so I just grabbed it.
I still plan to burn a few screens to get smaller and cleaner detail than what I can with a block or stencil but till then I am enjoying the discovery of playing with 'alternative' printing.

Now go build something fun yourself.
Cheers.

First Round: REDCROW Denim II

About a month or so ago I built a couple pairs of denim trousers. I did a little post up on one of the pairs but have never gotten around to sharing about the other, the R4001, till now.

This pair I used a few navy bandannas for the pocket bags with a reinforced inside lining. Also used the bandanna as an inside waist band trim. They are a full button fly with hand sewn brass 4 hole buttons. They are a rigid unwashed denim and the fit is a standard or straight fit.
As mentioned before, they are still not exactly were I want them to be in regards to fit so doing a little reworking of the pattern. Will share more when complete. I also plan to use the final pattern and build a pair of twill khaki trousers since the fit I am working on is something that I want to have as a khaki as well.

What fun things are you working on?
Cheers.

Hat, Tie, & Apron

Found this image of a few pieces I built at the beginning of 2009.... Wow to think we only 3 1/2 months left. I wonder how I am doing on my goals for the year. A little here and a little there, just keep moving, right.

Cheers.

Collection: Headwear.

Recently finished building a few 'Driver' style hast out of grey wool from my good friend Mr. Glover over at Jonathan Glover Photography as well as for myself.
These are built from a pattern I created based from an old 1970's Levis corduroy hat that actualy has a cardboard brim. The brim I make out of 2 used 32oz. plastic yogurt containers. The label inside the hat is printed on a muslin fabric that I hand tea dyed.
The hat below is made from a nice 100% cotton brushed herringbone twill fabric. Both are lined in a light weight black poplin.

Will be building more soon as well as offering them in the Redcrow shop if anyone is interested.
Cheers

New Label Layout.

Built a driver style hat the other day and needed a new label for it so this is what I came up with.
The pattern for the hat I built from an old corduroy driver from Levi's that is from the 1970's.
I will share more about the hat when I get a good photo of it, which is turning out to be a much harder thing to do than one would think.

Cheers.

Nice and Snug & On Its Way.

I have really been feeling bowties as of late, but, I do not have a good selection. So the other day I decided I wanted to give it a go and build me a few.
Here is a little play by play of the building of my 1st bowtie sample:

First off I needed a pattern so got out one I got for a $1 in San Francisco on a shopping trip a few years back.

Once it is all traced out and shaped how I like it on pattern paper I cut it out and stapled it to some card stock type paper that pattern makers use, called oak tag.
Then added seam allowance of 1/4" and cut it out. Ready to lay down on my sample fabric and cut'n sew.

All stitched up. Now trim some of the excess seam allowance off and turn it right side out. Give a good pressing and....

Give a nice once over in the mirror as I tie the bow.

There you have it. Check back soon as I will share the actual goods when completed. The great thing about building your own bowties is that you use the scrap fabric that is left over when making actual neckties so there is no more waste.

Cheers.

Wear It to Keep Clean.

There is something about having an item of clothing that you wear regularly when working on projects that is very intriguing. Mine is my work apron that I put on when working on building patterns, sewing, and out with the power tools. My good friend, Mr. Glover, recently had a small advancement in age and so I decided as a gift I would offer him the chance to develop a relationship with a work apron.
I was influenced by not only these images...


My own apron and it's use...

But the main influence in its design is bib coveralls.
Now I hope to get images of it in use sometime.
Till then,
Cheers.