The Mighty Coat of Productivity!!!

What, you're still here?!?

2011-02-22T18:31:00.000-08:00

The most unlikely thing has happened. I have actually begun work on expanding this project!

I have done very little on the Mighty Coat Project in the last year as I have been putting all of my free time into Fez-o-rama. We have been doing some really cool things and have a number of new projects in the works. Now that doesn't mean I've forgotten about the Mighty Coat of Productivity. Actually I spend a great deal of time in my MCP being... well, productive, just not on this project. If you scan through some of the Fez Friday photos over on the Fez-o-blog you will see a number of them featuring me in my MCP as well as a few friends in theirs.

So what brought me back to this? Actually it was the simple request for a matching work apron from one of my good friends and wife of one of the current MCP owners. So work has begun on the Mighty Apron of Productivity! The first patterns have been drafted and the initial tests will begin soon.

So watch this space! Who know, perhaps in a few months I will have another post...

New Coat Cut!

2010-06-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one day... what has the world come to?!? At this rate there will be more than 4 posts this year!

Today I spent a bit of time re-working the patterns to create a new variation. This new style has a more relaxed midsection reminiscent of the classic motoring coats. I have also put in some time grading the patterns in hopes of having a range that goes beyond myself and the few friends I have made these for. I hope to have a team of guinea pigs run through these before I release them into the wild.

Work is afoot!

2010-06-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, this project will just not die. Turns out there are a number of makers and hackers out there that are interested in getting the momentum going on this. I am currently putting together some pattern variations for people to try out and soon we will have something to show for it.

Success!

2009-10-31T21:06:00.000-07:00

At 9pm on All Hallow's Eve I finished my latest Mighty Coat of Productivity. After nearly two years without my own coat to wear I am now covered... for the time being. That is until I pass this one on to a friend and start all over again on my next one. We'll see how long I go until that happens.

I need a better phone for taking pictures.

Progress!

2009-10-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

Pulled the old coat pieces out of the box around 8:30 last night and managed to put in a number of hours work with a quick meal break around 11pm. By 1pm I had most of the pieces paired up and the sewing had begun. Sleeves were hemmed, collar assembled, pockets had their pleats stitched down, collar assembled, yokes and back bands sewn and facings attached to the fronts.

This morning I worked on the back panels and started some of the top stitch. I will return to work on the coat this evening with hopes to be wearing this thing in the very near future.

Is this thing still on?

2009-10-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

Wow, a whole year has rolled past and I have done damn near nothing on this project except move a pile of cut coat fabric from one workroom to another. Well the lack of progress ends now! I'm back in the studio where I first concocted this ridiculous plan and it is high time I made myself a new coat. It is starting to cool off and I am going to need a Mighty Coat if I'm going to continue to be productive around here... wish me luck!

Cross Post!

2008-10-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Clockwork Fez

Thought I would cross promote my other blog since it might be of interest to the one or two people who know of this one... perhaps I'm doing this backwards. Anyway I have made a batch of fezzes that fall in line with the theme of this blog. Check them out at Fez-o-rama.com

It Returns!

2008-10-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well I have had a coat cut and waiting to be sewn for many months now. It has been about a year since I made one of these so I decided I would make a new tradition and spend the week before Halloween sewing a lab coat while watching classic horror movies. Who knows I may even take photos and document the process a bit. Ultimately I am working with a deadline of one week as we have a dance to go to on Wednesday and I still need to work on my wife's outfit. I did wear the coat for a Costume event two years ago but I figured I could roll it out again as this is an entirely new crowd at an entirely different event.

Ultimately I'm just using Halloween as an excuse to make myself a new lab coat to wear around the house.

Oh yeah...

2008-05-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, the post have been simply not happening on this blog. There have been a few coats made in the last year but nothing really exciting. It is high time I got back to work on this.

We've Moved

2007-09-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

Yup, we moved the blog off of the Cult of the Eye site and onto Blogger so we can do a complete overhaul of the old site. Eventually this will get integrated back in via RSS.

This also opens us up for the next phase in this project which I am rather excited about.

I will be back to work on this very soon as I have a coat to make for a friend as well as one for myself since I gave my first one away. I figured that would motivate me to get back to work on this.

Time Off

2007-05-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

Assuming anyone is actually noticing these posts, I thought I would mention that this blog will be rather quiet as my other blog project will take the forefront for the next few months. Rest assured however, that we have grand plans for this project in the next year as we expand it well beyond its humble origins.

Computers don't really care about your well being...

2007-05-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I started sewing up the coat for TofuJoe and before I got very far I started to suspect that I had managed to cut the whole pattern without seam allowances. See I was using the computer to adjust the pattern size and cut the fabric. Which makes the whole process go much faster... including the process of screwing it all up. I didn't have enough fabric left to cut it all again.

There was much profanity I assure you.

The next morning I went about the forensic investigation of my own incompetence. First check: the seams are on the computer file I cut from. I must have been imagining it all, which is really sad considering the amount and volume of the profanity used.

On second check I did discover that three pieces were lacking seam allowances, they just happened to be the three I was trying to sew together. Luckily I did have enough to re-cut those pieces and get back to finishing this coat.

Lessons learned:

I'm incompetent
I swear needlessly
I even make mistakes about my making mistakes
If you have a self imposed deadline do not purchase a Nintendo Wii -that is a whole different story

hidden progress

2007-05-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

spent a bit of time this week working on the exporting of files. I think I have it under control and will be able to get the pattern files into something more accessible. There does appear to be about a 1% amount of growth to the pattern when exported. Nothing critical but it is still kinda weird... so much for the accuracy of computers.

Coat #2

2007-04-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

Tofujoe's coat with temp buttons has been shipped off. I will ask him to take a few shots when he gets it so I can post them. If all is well I will return to the patterns make a few tweaks from what I've learned and hopefully get that much closer to releasing the patterns.

buttons ...still?!?

2007-04-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the buttons will take more time than I had anticipated. I will just have to sew on the blank ones and let TofuJoe enjoy his coat. Then when we have the upgrades ready we'll just swap them out.

buttons?

2007-03-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

This project has taken a bit of a turn lately. The buttons for Tofu Joe's coat became a bit of a challenge. I think we have found a solution... I'll post more when I get them finished.

damn cool idea

2007-03-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

So I'm reading one of my favorite blogs Make: blog and they pointed out something I must add to a coat!

Cuff Lights! these things are brilliant!

I need to order a set and see what I can do to further integrate them into my design.

damn near finished

2007-03-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, hems sewn, top stitching done, pockets are on... damn I forgot how much energy goes into these pockets. Anyway, buttons and button holes to go and then I can ship it off.

Little bit closer

2007-03-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

Almost done with TofuJoe's coat. All of the hard stuff is finished. It just needs some top stitching, hems and button holes.

2007 ...lull

2007-02-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

Well been mostly dormant on this project lately but I have a coat cut for my friend TofuJoe and plan to start sewing it today. If I'm happy with the fit of this one I may be able to get back to work on releasing this design into the wild.

Photos!

2006-11-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

Photos of the second sample!

This was worn for Halloween with the pictured goggles and leather gauntlets and boots.

technical difficulties

2006-11-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

Well we've hit a bit of turbulence. Seems my notebook doesn't want to run my graphics program these days. I had planned to use it to process the patterns into a more open format.

Just more delays

Halloween Photo

2006-11-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

He is a darkly lit shot of our Halloween costumes. Nothing too extravagant, we pretty much put them together on the day of the party. I also wore this to work on the 31st.

Maya is my lovely creation... every mad scientist should have one!

Sample Two!!

2006-10-31T12:52:00.000-08:00

Sample Two is done!
-actually it has been done for a few days and I am in fact wearing right now as part of my Halloween costume. I'm dressed as a steam punk scientist. Pretty much what you see in the sketch-

I'm pretty happy with the fit now as this one would allow for wearing layers in colder weather and would actually fit over a suit coat. I also made matching spats for Halloween.

The chest pocket is functional and a little surprising when one drops their phone in there while having it set to vibrate. You won't miss a phone call assuming you don't pass out from the shock.

I'll take some pictures tonight and post them to the blog.

Next I need to work on getting the files into something more universal.

Two Deadlines Down...

2006-08-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

..and two to go.

The second sample of the Mighty Coat is still in a small stack waiting for the sewing machine.

Mission Tiki's Tiki Invasion has come and gone. The show was great. We had plenty of Fez-o-rama product done after many hours of sewing and some great help from Xina and my lovely wife who has decided to learn to sew! The two inflatable Moai were completed in an amazingly short amount of time and did their job of bookending the stage.

Now I just need to get a 2nd edition of a text book ready for the this week and help my wife with three murals for the Santa Ana Zoo

Once that is all done I can return to work on this coat thing... just in time for Fall

I hope to have the sample done for show and tell for our road trip Labor Day weekend.

Oh what the hell?!?

2006-07-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

Once again the Mighty Coat is put on the back burner so I can work on bigger deadlines. The irony that there is no progress on the Productivity coat because I am being productive on other things is really starting to annoy me.

The fabric for the second test has been cut and is sitting in a pile on my table while I design more fezzes and prepare for Mission Tiki's Tiki Invasion. I really want to get this thing made but I have to focus on these other projects this month.

Here's hoping for something to show in August.

Whoops

2006-07-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

Well good thing I double checked my work. Seems I was off by a few inches on fabric width. I just assumed I was dealing with 60" fabric as opposed to the 54" fabric I actually had. This means the yardage needed is closer to 4.5 yards for a Large. (42 regular)

So I've set up the markers for a new cut. I didn't find a complementry fabric on clearance for the facings so this one will be all in the same fabric. I have also added some sleeve straps to keep the sleeves rolled up for when I'm up to my elbows in evil doings.

I will be cutting it this week (it is in line for cutting after a bunch of Fez-o-rama fabric I have to deal with) and will be sewing it up during my break next week.

Yeah, I know I've been threatening progress for over a month now

Yardage

2006-07-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

Did some quick math and it looks like it will take about 4 yards of fabric (60" wide) to make a Large coat (approx. 42 regular) with four cargo pockets and hidden plackets.

If I am really lucky I will be able to get 3 average sized coats out of the fabric I picked up.

Now there are a number of ways to reduce fabric use. One could lose a few of the pockets or add a few more seams to the larger pieces to make them easier to slot together.

I'm thinking I may need to go back and pick up another fabric for the facings to conserve what I have for the visible pieces. It may be cool to use a slightly contrasting color for the facing bits. If nothing else, there was some fabric in the same color that lacked the slub texture that would work fine for the less visible parts.

While this means that I can't cut much fabric today, I really don't have time for sewing this weekend anyway.

Progress!

2006-06-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

Fabric bought! There, I beat that one month slack-off deadline... by four days.

Anyhoo... picked up some 100% cotton canvas made to look like it was linen. Very rustic, old school looking stuff. (A slub weave in a tan) This should work well for photography as it isn't actually white. I got a good price on it as it was from a fabric store that is moving. On the downside, I won't be doing any welding in this coat. Talk about a fire hazard. At least it won't melt in the heat. I have no idea how it will wash but I'm not above dry cleaning or ironing to look snazzy.

Gahhh!

2006-06-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Dear god! it has been nearly a month since my last post on this project!

I'm really slacking off on this.

Let's see... what can I do right now. I have a new rev. on the pattern waiting for fabric. Once that is cut and sewn I will have new photos and be ready for release of the basic pattern. Alas, that will have to wait as I have other work to take care of and a break coming up in two weeks. Hopefully there will be progress then.

In the mean time:
Measurements: These will be the main guidelines for sizing the coat.

Neck Circ.
Center Back to Shoulder
Center Front to Shoulder
Chest
Waist (front waist/back waist)
Center Front Neck to Waist
Center Front Neck to Hem (somewhere on the shin)
Shoulder to wrist

I'm likely missing something but this is a start.

I Have Returned!

2006-05-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

Whew Tiki Oasis was a blast but now I need to get back to this project!

Maya and I tracked down some potential fabric at a store that is relocating. I need to get back there and buy a bolt and start making the second sample. Hopefully I will have it cut in the next week or so.

I need to ask Kinko's what their plotting requirements are so I have an idea of what it whould take for the average Joe to get the patterns made.

Return to Productivity!

2006-04-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

Well my two weeks off are over and in that time I did nothing on this project. Which is rather close to what I had planned. I am still one month out on my massive Tiki Oasis deadline (read the Fez-o-rama Booth Blog for more on that) so I doubt I will have any major updates this month.

The next key step is to cut and sew a second sample from the actual fabric -whatever the hell that turns out to be. Unfortunately my sewing time is dedicated to far more impending things so this may have to wait for a bit.

Pattern Update

2006-03-15T13:53:00.000-08:00

I did a bit of shaping on the patterns to allow thicker clothing to be worn underneath. -such as the many layers I am wearing in the picture below

Also added an option for a fairly simple single welt pocket on the chest and a hidden placket for the buttons.

Lull...

2006-03-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

Ironically the Mighty Coat of Productivity has been put on hold as I work on another project... coatless I might add.

The first sample has been cut out of a light-weight hideously-orange fabric and put through it's paces at a paintball game.

I may make a few adjustments to the fit -or I'll make a few adjustments to my lack of fit- but mostly I am happy with it. I hope to cut a second one from a heavier fabric before I release the pattern into the wild.

Fabric

2006-02-16T15:59:00.000-08:00

I plan to cut and sew a first sample out of cheap fabric I have laying around in my studio. This will be useful for testing the fit and when I'm done I can wear it to play paintball in as it will be in a hideous orange color we used for our armband and team flags. After that I'll need to put some thought into the actual fabric.

We need something that will be durable, comfortable and relatively cheap. Preferably something that is easy to find. Now I work in Downtown LA near the fabric district, so I can find all sorts of random stuff. What we need is something available across the country, which gives us three choices.

Internet - I have yet to find fabric that I would buy online. Most is overpriced and selection is limited.
Joanne's - The overpriced Wal-Mart of the fabric world. I only shop there when I have a massive coupon. They are responsible for the closing of most of the fabric stores in my town. They bought all of the competition and then shut down the stores so I have to drive way out of my way to get to one.
Wal-Mart - The Wal-Mart of... well everything. However they are everywhere and they are cheap. I don't mind them driving Joanne's out of business.

I will do some recon and see what they have.

The Image!

2006-02-15T20:11:00.000-08:00

There we go. Picture.

As you can see we have plenty of length, a large banded collar and plenty of buttons.

I've reversed the opening to resemble a fencing jacket. This favors the right handed -easier to button up and less likely to have a sword slide underneath the fabric!

This drawing features many optional pockets. Extra large bellows pockets with even larger ones below to hold all your random bits; and a single placket map pocket on the chest to hold important documents close to the heart. I can also see use-specific pockets added to the sleeves and even a back holster for a T square for the seriously geeky. This is where I hope to see plenty of customization from you people.

You're on our own when it comes to the gloves and goggles.

Progress!

2006-02-15T15:58:00.000-08:00

The first pattern has been worked up. Simple size grading has been done but I won't really know how accurate it is until people start making coats. Right now I just have S/M/L/XL etc, and that should work for most but it won't be good enough for everyone.

I have successfully produced a generic plot file that I was able to open in CorelDRAW! This is good news. I will be able to export many file types and even perhaps a PDF that could be printed out on many sheets of paper and then taped back into a massive pattern.

Still need to scan the sketch so the rest of you can have an idea of what the hell I'm talking about

Design Philosophy

2006-02-14T15:53:00.000-08:00

What motivates a fashion designer to create? Some say that designers create for either the person they want to be or the person they want to have sex withâ€¦ which raises all sorts of questions about sexual orientation that we will not get into here.

I think there is another possible motivator in the mix. Designing clothing for how you want everyone else to be.

Think about it, there is a reason that the Fascists had the coolest uniforms.

Now Iâ€™m sure that if anyone actually reads this blog -and is interested in having one of these coats- I will eventually be inundated with specific requests for this particular style or that. However that is not where my vision draws me. My creative motivation is to make this coat, which is to say this is how in my little froggy brain I think everyone should look when they are tinkering.

Needless to say I donâ€™t expect that to become a reality. I would be thrilled just to see a few posed shots.

This is my own particular delusionâ€¦ my form of Fashism.

Design Cont.

2006-02-14T12:28:00.000-08:00

Well the concept sketch is done... and sadly I am now sitting in a room without a scanner. Never mind the fact that I spent three hours killing time in a room with a scanner this morning and didn't think to do anything with it.

So yeah, I know what it will look like but you don't.

Design

2006-02-13T12:27:00.000-08:00

Like most things in my life, taking the easy way out seldom crosses my mind. Sure I could just go buy a cheap lab coat like all of the doctors wear. Hell, I could even embroider it myself, but for some reason that is simply not an option.

A maker's coat should be something more than a simple lab coat. It needs more drama, more creativity. Sure, doctors do pretty dramatic things but they are there to fix things that go wrong with life not create new concepts of life.

Now Frankenstein was a doctor with a "Maker" frame of mind... if we just look past the "playing god" and the causing the death of his fiancÃ©. Our coat needs to have that mad scientist quality to it. A long, full cut with a high wrap-around collar, something that would look good with leather goggles.

The Idea

2006-02-12T12:25:00.000-08:00

There is an incredible movement of late involving people getting hands-on with their stuff. I'm talking Wright Brothers, Nikola Tesla type of hackery; fearless men and women tearing apart whatever they can to create their dreams.

All of this invokes visions of vintage photos of guys with handlebar mustaches, chomping on cigars; wearing bowlers, leather gauntlets and massive overcoats with huge pockets as they re-write the laws of physics or try to fit an even larger wheel on their velocipede.
Sure, we still have that thirst for invention but what happened to that sense of style?

Now I'm not suggesting we wear three piece suits while we work on our latest Altoids tin hack, but if we're all going to be photo-documenting everything we can do better than that ratty pair of jeans and swag shirt.

Once again I'm struck by how reality is so different from my childhood visions. I say no more!

Why can't we have the big overcoats? ...the cigars and mustaches are up to you.

I plan to design a productivity coat for all the makers out there. Something that you can wear to not only protect your favorite pair of ratty jeans, but also something that says "damn straight I voided the warranty and I'll do it again!"

Now I could make these coats and have them for sale online but my time is far too limited and I would have to charge so much it would be insulting ...besides I'm too busy writing run-on sentences to our new blog. For this dream to become a reality I need as many people as possible wearing these coats and not every creative genius out there has a wardrobe budget.

So here is the plan:

Create a blog that documents the process of making a Mighty Coat of Productivity.
Attempt to create a reasonably accessible pattern file for people to download and print out at their local plotter.
Suggest possible fabrics and amounts for cutting
Provide sewing guidelines so people have a chance at getting these things into one piece.
Offer a continuing collection of options -pockets, straps- for you to customize your coat.

Once that gets rolling you, the reader, can download the designs and attempt to sew it yourself ...or better yet, barter your amazing tech skillz against someone else's amazing sewing skillz!

Props to all my Seamstresses and Seamsters out there!

Ahem, anyhoo... We'll see how this plays out.