It's Summer but it's already time for Winter cycling caps!
It maybe August but we're already getting under way for new winter cycling caps. Todays a good day for it, rainy around 16 C and feeling like wet Vancouver. Perfect for Richard to come up with three new names for the new fabrics.
I bought the fabric a few weeks ago, washed and dried it and about to begin cutting. So exciting going to my suppliers and hunting for fabric/colors for new caps. I have fabric from last year and plan to re-introduce two previous models. There's demand for solid colors and something may come from it.
I'm back into pattern making ...for me. My time, I'm finding there's very little of, is divided between our business and my pursuit of designing my own clothes. I don't buy anymore socks. Now, my next challenge is not to buy clothes. I graduated from fashion school and I'm finally using techniques I've learned twenty years ago.
I have a mandatory book on Pattern Drafting. During my time in fashion design in Quebec City, the book is in English yet no one could read it. They gave us a cheat sheet to decipher the important directions. Funny, we were made to buy this English book and it never came in French. I suppose there wasn't a book in French and I feel that we were being groomed in the predominately English fashion industry. That's what it was in Quebec. If you wanted to go through the big fashion industry door it was in English.
My first attempt was taking an old pair of pants dismantling it and using it for a pattern. It did seem to be a good idea at the time. I learned that it's better to have a proper pattern to start with. Because I carried over the problem of how bad the pants fitted. But you know it's not that bad. Having a proper pattern is easier to work from. I worked hard to make adjustments to make it fit properly. I still have a lot to learn, so I'll go back to using the pattern book on my next project... making a t-shirt. I'll be using organic bamboo cotton.
You know, after producing this new product, my excitement has grown more intense. I'm talking about Galstudio's new La Piccola Wallet!
This is our first run and we made 20 of these cute little guys and I kept the first one. We first made three prototypes to fine tune them. Working with rubber seems to have it's own mind. I really have to work with it within the constraint of this material. Rubber is not easy to work with but I find it rewarding when I can make something I truly love. Simple details happy fun fabric wrapped in inner tubes is the perfect handy wallet to hold 8 cards and a few bills. It can probably take a few more cards but that's to the owner's discretion.
I had left over pieces of fabric and I used it in the wallets. So much fun just choosing from the funky bright fabric designs. I'm having a lot of fun creating new designs with inner tubes and I hope people will enjoy them as much as I love making them!
I was determined to find red polka dots. Richard and I were exhausted visiting all the fabric shops in the Lower Mainland. Yet, we kept going and our determination paid off!
Yesterday, we came back with our beloved polka dots. The fabric is a nice & thick 100% cotton. After washing it even looks better. I actually love it better than the first series. The size of the dots make a statement. Three times larger than the first dots. If you are going to wear red polka dots this is it. Go big and bold. I'm producing these caps just in time for July's Tour de France. Now on sale on my Etsy site. Be forewarn, wearing this beautiful cycling cap may make you want to climb a mountain!
My messy table is crowded, in a good way, with additional Inner Tube Corset's. I have only one left on my Etsy shop and I realize my friend Jean ask me to keep him one. So I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon producing more of them. The weather's been lousy and with the help from Richard we finish them today.
I just sent one to the States and the feedback was wonderful! The feedback is so important it's the the pat on the back that makes a home business hum. It makes it all worthwhile. I'll post them probably tomorrow. So I'm working on a new design for a new product. And, I must say since Richard's been on board with me I don't seem to have enough time designing new products. It's a good thing because we have to generate more work between the two of us. Production has gone up. If all things go well, I'll have a prototype ready by the end of this week. Cross my fingers!
I'm in the quest for something special. Even the climbers of the Tour de France are in search for it.
Last year, I can't believe I had at least a full roll of the perfect size red polka-dots. It is so brilliant to choose a bold design for the race leader of the climbs. I can thank Richard for the idea of the polka-dot cycling cap. It sold out last year and it's time for it again. The problem is it's not so easy to find. So I'm still looking for it. And the Tour is coming up in 3 1/2 weeks.
It will return...
Galstudio's Polka Dot Cycling Cap.
My quest started after Christmas. My suppliers seem not to have it. I've waited for an order I placed and nothing. The effort's there, what I found online was too expensive and not cost effective. So I'm planning once again to go see my suppliers.
Here's an historical background to the Tour de France polka-dots that I so love. The King of the Mountains was awarded to the best climber first in 1933. The beautiful polka-dot jersey was introduced later in 1975. Those good looking red polka-dots were decided by chocolate maker Poulain to match one of their products.
I love everything about computers. Now, I'm not an expert but I have owned four Macs and I must say a computer is more interesting to me than fashion. Apple is in my eye.
Richard and Guy has a cool podcast on their cycling history and beer. What is it with guy's and beer? Us girl's love it too! Ok I'm starting to rant.
I knew my camera is just a basic digital one. Four years old, the Canon PowerShot ELPH is a little workhorse. I explored the video mode and discovered I could shoot for 8 minutes with a nice definition. Tested it on Richard and used available light and the sound was surprisingly good. I'm not ready to spend 1000 bucks for a better one. My Canon is good, very good for what I want to do.
The approach was simple. A low key casual podcast. Two guys with their beer and books. No tripod used, in fact, I am the camera operator. I used iMovie to insert the text and edit. It was so easy to work with. Good ole Apple, they make their products FOR people. There's talk in the air for part two. I'm so excited for them. Guy is showing enthusiasm and being part of this project, I'm happy.
As easy as it was to edit, it was a challenge to launch the podcast on line. I couldn't go through youtube because the clip was too long. Youtube takes only maximum ten minutes. So, I checked out Vimeo & Viddler... Viddler was too expensive charging for product content. Vimeo was the choice. Easy to use and the best thing, it was FREE up to 500 MB a month. I can do one a week. And it looks like the guy's will go for two per month. But, you know, when it comes time for the Tour de France it begs to have more often.
I'm so proud of Richard and Guy talking about the history of cycling. Happily, I get to play with my computer and learn about cycling history and have the chance to sample a brew!
I looked through my stash and I realize that I had left over bits of sock yarn left. Mostly pink. As a knitter, it's sacrilege not to make your own socks. Store bought commercial socks are soo different from handmade ones. The big difference is the comfort & style. I hate boring socks. When you start to wear handmade socks afterwards you don't go back. I have just four pairs of hand knitted socks from last winter. They have a long life to them. There so resistant and very durable. I keep them going by machine washing and hanging them to dry.
My plan is to bring my collection up to at least seven pairs. This is numero five. One things for sure, I say NO to store bought socks. And when it gets too hot I'll go bare feet. After this, I'll have to convince my partner to get rid of his store bought socks. He already owns three pairs of handmade socks so I'll have to get busy.
I love and enjoy knitting socks and have made them for friends. It's a little pleasure of life. Considering each pair takes about 35 hours to make. I would have to charge $350 per pair! That's if I wanted to make a living off it. That's crazy.
For now, I'll have fun knitting socks for myself and a few of my lucky friends!
I'm so happy to introduce two new cycling caps with a classic twist. When I went to the fabric store I had a gut feeling when I saw it. That feeling without words. I just have them. The green is 100% Cotton Twill and the plaid is Polyester/Cotton. I quickly rushed home.
After my last stitch, I was so amazed with the results. These caps go beyond cycling and right into urban fashion. So far, I'll be bold here, they're right up there in my top five favorite caps.
They are named, 'La Doyenne' after the oldest and most prestigious classic race Liege-Bastogne-Liege. And, 'Ardennes' after the three classic races in Holland and Belgium. I feel they emanate a freshness and joyfulness of Spring. I love both!
This is an example of the Marinoni old script I saw...
taken from Richard's 1987 bike!
Well, the classic's have ended for the season. My two new cycling caps, in production, reflect the Ardennes Classics with the hint of the forthcoming Spring. The Ardennes Classic races are exciting even for a newbie cycling fan like me. I'm looking at it from the historical point of view which grabs my attention. Of course, my partner is a cycling maniac and he always has something new to say. It's one of those finer details in the microcosm of the cycling world. So diverse yet beautiful. Like a subtle flavour in wine. The more you understand it the more you can appreciate it.
I even spotted a Marinoni bicycle as we walked down the street. It literally jumped out at me. Many folks can spot a Ferrari sports car, it's not everyone can spot a beautiful Marinoni bicycle. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera. Even Richard passed it without noticing. And, I guess I'm getting better my spidey bike sense was tingling. The color was metallic purple with the old Marinoni script. One thing's for sure I wouldn't have left this classic bike unattended and casually locked beside a parking meter.
I once again learned something valuable. It was yesterday while designing and producing my new Cafe Racer Cozy. Made from, of course, recycled bicycle inner tubes it's not always the most easiest material to work with.
Perfection. Hmm. I thought I knew how to deal with my overly perfectionist tendency. There it was. It showed it's ugly face while I was working on the cozy. My thoughts on perfection is that you can be professional yet it doesn't mean you have to be perfect all the time. For many years, I stopped myself to be creative. Thinking if you can't do something perfectly... just don't do it at all!
It's in the process that perfection will eventually arrive. You have to be aware during the process of making. So every attempt goes closer to perfection. Every person has their own idea of perfection. I won't get into that.
When I made the first prototype for the cozy, it was sleek, racy with a grey stripe in the middle ready for action. It was perfect. But on the practical side, it wasn't nice. The reclaimed plastic made it stiff and hard to wrap around the coffee press. It looked perfect but that's where it fell short. Frustrated, I went back to the drawing board with close consultation with Richard. And we both decided that the grey plastic strip was a no go. Our idea is to keep it like our Piccolo Pouch. We tried it and we finally go it!
Yesterday was a day from Hell. Probably not the day to redesign a cozy prototype. The inner tube challenge my patience. But I love a challenge and with perseverance I produced seven refined coffee cozies.
Life is beautiful this way. It always offers you the possibility to better oneself. The true challenge is to stay in the process of learning everyday!
My prototype coffee cozy with my Rocket Fuel Coffee!
My first memory of coffee is with my Dad. I was around six or seven years old. He used Sanka instant coffee measuring 1T of coffee dissolved in 2T of hot water. I would add this mixture to my cold milk. It taste really good!
In my teens I first experienced drip coffee at Tim Hortons and then tasted real coffee at the Cafe du Vieux Port. This is where I discovered the pleasures of 'un bol de cafe aux lait'. For me, coffee is a pleasant way to share with someone you care for. After moving from Quebec to Vancouver, I still can't understand why folks would walk a cup of coffee. Walking and drinking coffee doesn't make sense to me. I always make sure that I enjoy and sit down when having my coffee.
Lately, I've had frustrating mornings waking up after my partner. He usually wakes up about 30 minutes before I do. And he wants to be nice to have coffee ready. The problem is the coffee is warm by the time I pour it. What to do? I've created a coffee cozy out of inner tubes with an insulating fabric liner for my Bodum 8 cup French Press coffee maker. It basically wraps around and keeps the coffee hot. Well, my mornings are nicer to wake up to with hot coffee.
I originally wanted to knit one or make one out of fabric. Of course, when it gets dirty means washing it. That's the idea to use inner tubes. To make it easier to clean it by running it under the tap. You can sponge it off, too. So simple. I'm considering putting the coffee cozy in my shop, but for now, I'm enjoying the prototype ...along with a nice hot cup of coffee!
About a month ago, I was cruising around Etsy and fell in love with these plastic cyclist figurines. I showed Richard and he nearly fainted with joy. I knew I had to have them and buying them for Richard was justification enough. They were not cheap. So I ordered and waited, and waited, and waited...
Richard kept checking the mail for them and after 3 weeks ...they have arrived! They look from board game and appear new rather than old. The detail is amazing. Especially how they are hunched over in a riding position. I started to play with them right out of the package. So fun moving them about. They measure 2 X 1 1/2 inches. Richard says they ride singlespeed bikes with balloon tyres. The period from the twenties or thirties. One thing ...they are cool.
Richard is planning to build a diorama for them. It should be a lot of fun. The light blue racer is my favorite reminding me of the old racing bikes. I guess I'll have to give these to him, but for now the cool little racers are on my side of the table!
I'm so happy my business cards arrived today! Along with Richard's cards we're now armed with our own Galstudio business cards. These cards are extremely colorful and for that I originally wanted to match my hang tags. They turned out very well. The difference; Richard's cards are black and slightly wider and I have a light grey side. It was time for us to add the business cards. Everyone was asking for it!
My first sewing machine is a Singer Fashion Mate 257. So there's good chance that my next machine will be an older model Singer. I'm just use to it. A certain trusted companion that I've grown up with love and admiration for. You know how a certain comfort zone is safe and secure. I love the old mechanical metal machine. Well made, durable beyond compare & long lasting craftsmanship bringing valuable service back like a boomerang.
There's an old video, I've included from the fifties publicizing the lifestyle of Singer. I love the era. And the idea of how easy the life of a homemaker could be if you had a Singer. It's comical today, but it makes me appreciate why women have fought so hard to work outside the home. To become an equal partner in raising a family. I look at it from the point of publicity and how it left a message for a better 'lifestyle'. It was directed towards the women to be at home, to save money by sewing her own garments and home decor. To make her home a cozy place for her family.
This is the model in the video!
I'm looking at a few all beautiful metal machines. They're all pretty basic mechanical machines producing straight and zigzag stitch. My Fashion Mate has worked extremely hard and it's due time to have a second machine. I'd like to give her a rest, but not for long because she's meant to work. She deserves a gold medal for her amazing effort. A backup would be useful, just in case if she needs a break. Funny, It seems that these machines are older than my current Singer. The machines are from the 60s & 70s. My favorite time.
The beautiful and regal, 237!
There's one site that I'm loving. You can feel the LOVE for vintage sewing machines. I really like to put my hands on the 237. A good choice for me. I look at it and drool for the style and design of the machine. This beauty would suit my needs well. The Rocketeer is another kindred mechanical soul to my heart. Full of style and almost Jetson like. Typical of that era, ridiculously Fabulous!
The outer space connection...
The Rocketeer!
Of course, I've looked at other brands but I don't know them as well as the Singer. One things for sure, my next sewing machine will be all metal. I'm off to sew something, bye for now!
The premise for the ‘G’ in Galstudio came to me with the help from Richard and two bottle’s of wine. A winning combination for brainstorming.
I opened Galstudio on Etsy back in November 2008 to sell my hand knit items. Now, the evolution of my little business has moved forward selling cycling caps and recycled bike inner tube products. I’ll give Richard the deserved praise for inventing the Galstudio name. It was his idea. Gal is the first three letters of my last name. And add the word studio and voila!
The first time I saw a simple but effective hole punch with the swirling ‘G’ it was my eureka moment. This was the launch of my Galstudio name design. On the other side, it took me long to cut the cards and most of the time the punch didn’t work properly and my cards were trash. The other way to have a cut out design is to spend too much on outsourcing it. Not cost effective.
Mooing along…
Then I came across Moo. It’s not selling diary products but business cards. What is fantastic about Moo is that there is endless ways to design your own cards. I like to work with color and Moo provides me with a vast choice. I’m now waiting for our business cards and the anticipation is high. I can’t wait for them to arrive.
Like all design, change is constant. And my product labels have changed too, over time. I’ve experimented with fabric and I realized it was bulky and I didn’t like the result. Working with the inner tubes, I’ve found a way to combine to make my own labels. People have emailed me how to do this.
I mentioned to Richard the other day about our cycling caps and wanted to know how many steps it takes. Every hat maker has their own method and not to mention standards. I thought it would be fun to compile a list. Here goes…
1.Designing the cap.
2.Finding a name & description
3.Buying the fabric & trim
4.Washing all fabric & trim
5.Cutting the fabric & interfacing
6.Assembly of darts.
7.Ironing
8.Tucking in all the loose threads
9.Assembly of all panels
10.Finishing the inside cap
11.Sewing the stripe on the cap
12.Assembly of the brim
13.More Ironing
14.Sewing the inner band
15.Sewing the Galstudio logo
16.Trying the cap for size
17.Sewing the elastic
18.Finishing the inner band
19.Threading
20.Putting on the hang tag.
After all those years as a production manager, I still think in terms of breaking down a project into shorter tasks. It comes in handy as I now have Richard in production!
Oh, and let's not forget. The secret ingredient that is part of all the steps in making a good cycling cap...
LOVE!
We've been working hard since February 22nd with five more cycling caps. Introducing: (Top center clockwise) Orangeman, Tempo, Routier (French for road racer), New Pave Racer & Amore.
The New Pave Racer is back and is a slick darker color than the previous model. This crop of new caps are extra special. With a request by Hans for a good fitting cycling cap, we introduce the Orangeman our tribute to the cycling nation of Holland. All five are now for purchase on my Etsy site!
Today marks the first anniversary of selling my very first cycling cap. With the Belgian Classics starting it's appropriate that it was called Paris-Roubaix cycling cap.
Upon reflection, I started to sell my knitting goods on Etsy and that was my plan. Until, Richard came up with a request for a good cycling cap. Richard was searching for one and he was stuck with store bought ones that was ok but lacking in style and quality. I looked at his existing cap and I knew that I could make one much better. I took measurements and made a paper pattern and made my first one. My first cap was made from a cheap cotton that's used as a model to make sure it fits perfectly before cutting into the good fabric.
Surprisingly, the first cap was the ugliest but between the actually pattern & sewing something had happen. The brim was too wide, not deep enough and just too big. No problem, I made another pattern thinking it should work. It didn't. I had to calculate what a really cap should fit like. The challenge is how a flat form can fit on an egg shape. Not every fabric can do your bidding. I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that I could do it. I do have a diploma in fashion design from Quebec. It's been a long time but it's like riding a bike. Eventually it will all come back to you!
Measurements are crucial and to get a good fit is important unless you don't mind to have a diaper on your head! Overall it took me ten trials and trying different fits with three, four and seven panels. I finally came back with the four panel with darts, it fitted the best. Why? It fits deep, feels snug not tight, the brim is nice and soft and will bend without damage. The fabric is pre-washed so no unsightly color bleeding. And you can re-wash it without shrinking. Of course, Richard loves the sportiness and urban look.
When Richard saw the final project, he went nuts and said that you gotta sell this. I'm happy to say he still wears the Paris-Roubaix as well as a dozen more. Galstudio has grown since the very first cycling cap. I've added all sorts of accessories ranging from recycled inner tube pouches for Macbook Laptops, keys/ID/coins & the latest for the iPhone. Soon I will start selling a coffee cozy made from inner tubes. Just after this cup of coffee!
You know it when a eureka moment happens. Well, I had one and as I looked at Richard we both knew...
We had Peter over for dinner on the weekend and asked him for his iPhone. It's important to have the actually item to model with. Our idea was simple make a fun iPhone holder, the Galstudio way. My first prototype was a sad one. Just a sleeve. Even Peter wasn't moved by it. But, then on his second visit over he liked it. Caressing it he liked the second version the best and even gave us input on how to close it.
My inspiration came from my handmade journal and kept with the design of the gray & black textured strip. I've added a new sexy twist like a corset with reusable bicycle chain links. It's stunning.
