machinemachine lab: vintage bark branches

i happened across machinemachine's vintage bark branches when shannon posted a wrap-up of her trunk show on kaua'i. instant crush! there are so many possibilities . . . from a whimsical coat rack to a charming and unexpected xmas card display. since so many readers also share my love for diy design, shannon kindly agreed to whip up a tutorial so you can make one or two of your very own.

just like small kid time, let's all give a friendly, happy aloha to shannon for stopping by!

{how to make vintage bark branches}

i dreamt up these vintage bark branches for a koke'e themed machinemachine trunk show at halele'a gallery in september. prior to the event, some friends and i booked a cabin in koke'e, located in the magical uplands of kaua'i, for a couple days. when we weren't eating, hiking, or cooking, we spent our time spread out on the lawn getting crafty.

we completed about thirty branches for the event, scattering them in clusters, along walls, under tables, and strapped to clothing racks. in the end, the vintage branches are not just a lovely visual symbol of the uplands, they also represent the act of binding and nurturing nature, like wrapping an ace bandage around an ankle.

{supplies}

• sturdy branches
• 1-inch wide strips of assorted fabric 15"-30" long (i use knit polyester, it's slightly stretchy with great geometric prints)
• thread
• scissors
• glue

{basic branch}

start at the base of the branch. lay about 2-inches of the end of one fabric strip on the branch and wrap the strip around itself and the branch, hiding the start of your fabric tail. keep wrapping your way up the branch, making sure to completely cover the bark by slightly overlapping the strip upon itself as you wrap upwards.

if you want to change colors or need to add another fabric strip make sure to begin wrapping with a new strip well over where your old one left off. if you reach a point where the branch splits into a y-shape, fret not! all you have to do is wrap about 1.5-inches up both arms of the y, then resume wrapping just one arm of the y.

to finish the tip of the branch, wrap the fabric all the way up, leaving about a 50-inch tail then tightly twist thread around the tail, cinching it into a nub. put a dab of glue on the thread, it should dry clear.

{advanced :: doily bark branch}

for this version, you will need a few doilies cut into strips wide enough to wrap around the branch (like a hot dog bun). you will need a needle and thread to stitch up the back side of the doilies, taking pains to allow for a .5-inch seam allowance, since doilies tend to unravel when cut.

{uses}

make a few and put them in a big vase in the corner of the room; hang some from the ceiling; hang a few on the wall; bind 3 to 4 together with left over fabric strips and set them on a table; hang ornaments off them during the holidays; give them away as gifts!

me again! it really is a simple project . . . especially if you have lots of scrap fabric tucked away.

many mahalos to shannon for sharing a little craft love with us! and, do click over to the machinemachine etsy shop to peek all the fresh new styles. you can also locate your neighborhood stockist over on the official website.

will you be gathering up fallen branches and vintage fabric to decorate your nest?

{photo credit: top/blenda montoro, tutorial/shannon hiramoto}

introducing manaomakani

it's an unfortunate fact that styles for the lads are few and far between in h|h's dressing room, so i was quite happy to find a note from manaomakani designer jamie makani aldaya in my inbox. a precursory peek at the handful of designs in the newly launched collection was a delightful discovery since the label mixes screenprinted and embroidered native hawaiian motifs on 100% certified organic cotton tees and jackets.

the socially responsible line is made in the usa which altogether is the practically elusive, almost impossible shopping triumph in our household. a win-win-win for the hubby's 808 tee collection, i say!

the design process is a bit more intricate since jamie, who was raised in the bay area and started manaomakani after a 30 year style career, looks to his native hawaiian ancestors for both inspiration and permission. the latter entails returning to the islands to offer chants and a pule (prayer) to the gods and then waiting for a sign before proceeding with each collection. he sought out windswept ka'ena point for the 2010 collection which honors native plants like koa and ohia lehua for their cultural value to the hawaiian people.

koa embellished tee

ohia embellished tee

organic french terry jackets

designs are screenprinted with water-based inks and the embroidered details add an eloquent flourish. price tag ranges from $44 for a tee to $110 for a hoodie (organic french terry = happiness!). for those used to fast fashion prices, it may sound a bit high for basics but remember there is a hidden cost of cheap, throwaway fashion from underpaid labor to a garment's environmental footprint (especially not cool when other countries' citizens must deal with the consequences to quench america's neverending desire for a closetful of disposable bargains).

manaomakani is also committed to the 1% for the planet philosophy and donates 1% of purchases to kahea, the hawaiian-environmental alliance.

a w's line is in the works and, fyi island shopkeepers, jamie is currently on the lookout for local retailers. the full line-up can be shopped online (knock 15% off with the secret code below) while sf readers can scoop up styles at aloha warehouse in japantown.

• secret code: HAPA15
• expires: sun, oct 31st

{mahalo jamie!}

project runway recap: a look in the line

i suspect most, if not all, of the project runway fans have watched last week's episode which challenged the remaining six designers to whip up an activewear look for heidi klum's debut collection for new balance. a twist soon came a-calling and, with the addition of two more looks, designers from episodes past returned to lend a hand.

onscreen, andy south stayed away from the inevitable sewing room drama between ivy higa and her S8 nemesis michael c., and focused his energy on producing light, modern pieces appropriate for both athletics and lounging about town.

hknb collection

as promised, the three winning looks andy presented on the runway found their way into the hknb collection and can be purchased on amazon in a handful of colorways (available sizes: s-xl). the fabrication is a cozy tencel/cotton/cashmere blend, although the hoodie design appears to have undergone a modification (too similar to lululemon's logo, perhaps?).

price point for andy's hknb offerings range from $98 to $168.

andy: make it work! | judgement day | norma kamali's take | video diary

and, click over to the designers dish for their take on this week's runway happenings.

did any of andy's hknb looks make it to your wishlist?

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

aloha friday scoop

final days to knock 20% off all special orders &/or your favorite in-stock item during pacific home's fall event.

• when: now to mon, oct 11th
• where: 420 ward avenue
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 7p & sun, 10a to 5p

mu'umu'u heaven celebrates the debut of ny artist tony shortway's striking glass paintings to the in-store gallery with live music, tasty sips by josh welch of onopops, and bites cooked up by the always delicious town.

• when: sat, oct 9th - 4p to 8p
• where: 767 kailua road, kailua
• show dates: sat, oct 9th to sun, nov 14th

scoop up screenprinted delights by ccdoodle when designer christy chung stops by split obsession for an afternoon trunk show.

• when: sat, oct 9th - 1p to 4p
• where: split obsession, ala moana (second level by neiman marcus)
• fyi: purchases over $30 will take home a small surprise.

Click to read more ...

introducing acacia swimwear

naia

a recent facebook query made me realize that not everyone shares my preference for more modest swimwear silhouettes. then i happened upon the bikini bird blog (a maui-based must read for those on the lookout for pretty beach looks) and discovered the very ooh la la offerings by acacia swimwear which just may convince even the most demure among us to consider a cheeky backside.

the line was started by maui girl naomi newirth whose passion for homemade bikinis eventually led to a fashion degree at fidm. upon the launch of the debut collection from bali last year, naomi's friend lyndie irons (andy's missus who now calls kauai home) joined the acacia 'ohana in designing the most fetching bikinis and one pieces that would appeal to the readership of both vogue and the sports illustrated swimsuit issue.

acacia is all about wearable details and naomi and lyndie effortlessly employ bohemian fringe, sweet ruffles and coquettish crochet throughout their 2010 collection. all the pieces are designed for their "gypsetter" lifestyle with the very flirty bottoms inspired by the sexy cuts found in italy and brazil.

sage * quinn * olly

pretty linings * nihoa

marley * luka * missy

with fabric sourced from italy and custom printed linings sewn inside for a sweet surprise, expect to pay $176 for a bikini and $187 for a one piece.

order up your favorite style in acacia's online shop or pop into your neighborhood stockist (including guava shop in haleiwa and ginger & koi in kona) for a peek.

{mahalo bikini bird!}