Consumer Habits Part III

A small contribution of consumerism in Native America from __Mischief!

Designed By __Mischief

I have experience in silk screen printing by hand (college course supplied), sewing, beading, and upcycling clothes I already own into repaired pieces to continue until I throw them out - delaying the next purchase as far as I can. The designing process for clothes has to be the most enjoyable skill to possess in any creative coot's toolbox. The best recommendations come from the eccentric, eco-sustainable, and versatile products that you must consider before purchasing. 

1. A small battery box operated wire light. This can double into night-running gear, multiple dress designs (use white or light fabric) and can be versatile for almost any other function you need lights for. The battery pack is decent, I am thinking there's going to be a smaller battery pack in the near future, but until then, a AA size for two is the best (and affordable that I can find). String Lights Link Here (Amazon)!

2. Sewing Patterns: Pick the simple pattern you can modify as you sew. The more complex, the more designed by that pattern you must stick with. Besides using funky pattern change-ups and adding embellishments the pattern can be changed based on having this simple template to follow. Adding cut-outs also works. This might be an obvious addition, but let's encourage your designer self first by making a mistake and saving that idea/hack on how you recovered that time well spent. Sewing Pattern SERP

3. Headdress designs. I have been trying to design a headdress that I can wear daily and gaining a collection in something masculine rather feminine. I also tread lightly on ceremonial headdress designs as needing an actual person to develop with. What I can do, I try blending contemporary with futuristic blends to satisfy my lineage but also to establish the artistic measures as an inter-tribal blended person (multiple tribal affiliations). There aren't any guidelines as to how traditional regalia changes, it just does as the person creates something in their background history and affluence to their cultural right. As future continues to greet us, we will be seeing more blended regalia out there. 

Try remaining an original style with any blended versions - they can insult us if not done properly. Try starting at any base and working your way upwards with something small until an accomplishment can be recognized for your designs. 

4. Ribbon Skirts. So fun, affordable, and fast to make. Spring and Summer Seasons and with the right leggings Fall to Winter can provide designs made by you a life to breathe in unity of continuation. I have seen many and continue to enjoy witnessing these designs. I like to bunch the sides of my ribbon dresses and pin them or sew by the knee (for larger women especially) to give a shape to them that hugs and accentuates curves. Above the knee must have a gathered fabric to poof out and over while being cinched. 

5. Consider your region. I enjoy Woodland styles of clothing, which require a sense of "squaw" dress/shirts and the Iroquoian cuts of long-sleeve dress shirts that flutter. Adding wood embellishments, antler buttons, and upcycling velvet with waistlines from jeans or calico holds that offer an optimal fashionable statement. There are other variations to consider, floral medicinal beadwork, satchels, quiver burned wood and leather carry cases, the basket purse, and silver jewelry. Of course - Always keep a pair of moccasins fresh! 

Consumer Habits To Try

Always buy pants first. The season to start fresh is with the pants, then the capris, then the shorts, and finally the waistline for the skirts. Always buy something you are comfortable and secure with in the waist! 

Extra cash means stocking up on extra fabric and supplies for designing clothes with. This does include going to the local thrift store and checking out the largest sizes for fabric purposes. You may not want to wear those big t-shirts but you can upcycle them. (I once remade an uncle's hawaiian shirt into a dress shirt with ribbons on it with pins on the side to form a figure with the fabric and original shirt!)

Scarves and hats with long beads/shells. Stay natural. If you can find a good hat, go for it. Keep it out of the sun (it does fade the material). Scarves can be used for multiple things if you buy it big enough. They can transform into vests, headwear, and trail along the backside if you tuck it in a belt and let it hang like a peahen. 

Wear a jacket with a different style while buttoning them up all the way to not buttoning it at all. Wear the article in all forms to get the maximum style out of its design. 

Last but not least - throw it away. Don't save everything. It is okay if you cannot bear to look at it any further. Letting articles go does relieve space and time to continue using it. Move on!

As I continue to live on a budget during my collegiate battles into a career - I will continue to post what helped my style during this time. When you can - the best advice is to go back to the basic foundations of style and design by creating your own. Learn to sew, thrift, and bargain as young as possible and rely on it as often as possible. 

__Mischief