Friday, August 3, 2007

Project : Steampunk Hair Piece v.2

Project : Steampunk Hair Piece v.2
Date : Aug 20th, 2007 one evening
Materials : Adjustable crescent wrench, wire, philips screwdriver (broken), streach red velvet, hot glue, solder, flux, thread, copper tape
Tools : soldering iron, needle, pliers, hot glue gun
Finished Product:

Process:

Images from v.1, now lost


Ridiculously simple. Cut/break/hack up the handle of the desired screw driver. Solder to end of of the wrench. On the first version, I had to saw off the end of the wrench (which ate up a new blade) and only hot glued. On second version, I cut nothing but had to lay down copper tape onto the wrench handle for the solder to take. Thing wire was twisted about and soldered to for extra stability. A thick layer of hot glue was added for stability but mainly to smooth out the uneven surfaces. Stretch fabric was then wrapped around and sewn into place. Make sure the stretch runs around the girth of the tool.

Version 2.0 is 6" long. The wrench half is 1.5" which is ideal. The center is 2" and does not taper smoothly on the screw driver side which makes it difficult to wear. This could be fixed if I were to cut the fabric off and reshape with more hot glue. The screw driver is 2.5" which is okay, but I could have done with a bit more length.

Thoughts :
These things are very easy to make and very pretty to wear. The screwdriver on the first came in handy several times and I suspect the adjustable wrench wont be neglected. The only complex bit is in fact how to properly twist your hair up to wear it. Perhaps I'll document that next. Version 1 had a better looking tool while Version 2 makes for a better hair piece.
The boys at work always carry around their Lethermans and other fancy tools in their belts or in boxes. Whipping out pliers with a crack or folding up a blade with a snap. I've decided to not be outdone and designed my own tool to be carried around at all times. It makes no loud sounds when brought into use, signaled instead by a cascade of hair falling down my back.
Elegant and functional, I find it to be a key item to display my thoughts on the idea of "steampunk"


UPDATE: While visiting Seattle, end of August, Logan sort of sat on it and the solder joint broke. I now have an excuse to go back and make it better, which I've not complaint to do.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Project : Paper-Sewn Pillow

Project : Paper-Sewn Pillow
Date : August 20th, 2007 at dusk
Materials : Thread, fabric, book you can decimate
Tools : Soldering iron, sewing machine, needle, scissors
Finished Product:

Process:

I happen to have been burning pages for another reason, but wherever you get the paper should be fine. The burning of the edges isn't necessarily required, but I think it makes them more interesting then a boring straight cut. But then again, I do love to burn paper for any and all reasons. I cut the pages out of the book by drawing the outline and pressing a wide-tipped soldering iron around the path, burning it one centimeter at a time. Takes time, but the end look is worth while.

Then, sew them together on the machine. I used a wide stitch and nice visible black thread. Be mindful that you can really re-angle the two pages once you start sewing so make sure they're lined up just right. I left the ends as just long threads (no backing up over stitches) and tucked the ends under every time I joined pieces. You'll notice that the paper goes only to two sides, rather then all four. This is because I didn't want to shape it to the pillow's bulge and putting bend on the pages in two directions wouldn't work well.

Then, sew on the edge fabric. Then, sew the back of the pillow on, right sides facing. What I did was just sew the fabric-to-fabric parts. That leaves a whole side un-sewn and gaps where fabric meets paper. Then turn it right-side out. Now pinch the fabric at the fabric-meets-paper seems and use a fancy stitch to sew it close. This doesn't make for a perfect edge, but I figure it's stronger then trying to hand sew it and putting a lot of wiggle strain on the stitches.

I haven't quite figured out how to close the last fabric-to-fabric seem though...

Thoughts :
It looks mighty pretty, though it is severely impractical. The pages mean nothing, alas- they just come from some random stupid book. Using a meaningful book would be fun. Thoughts of laminating or re-enforcing it somehow are now being contemplated.
--image I left at home, will be uploaded by Thur Aug 23--