Project Runway fans?

[Robin CW]

I enjoy the set-up, the challenges, the drama, and seeing the creative process unfold for each designer. The first season was our favorite, but we keep watching, year after year. My daughter and I often sketch out our own designs, using similar parameters to those set by each episode. We pause the recording, and give ourselves the same 30-60 minute deadline to decide on materials and an overall look. (For the "grocery store" challenge we chose things from our kitchen and pantry. For the "city inspiration" challenge, we took our camera outside on our acre of southern California desert.) Then we start the show up again, to see what everyone else came up with. Sometimes we get so into it that the sketches and revisions and discussions go on for days. Other times, not so much. I've finally gotten our sewing machines repaired, so they're ready whenever we are, to add another dimension to the game.
Anybody else know what I'm talking about?

[Heather K]

We enjoy watching the show, although I haven't gotten into this season as much as past ones. What a great idea to play along, maybe we will have to try that.

[diana (hahamommy)]

I LOVE PR!!! ♥
This season has been a bit weird for me... I'm starting to see a trend of tolerating crap designs from designers with fun personalities (not that I wouldn't appreciate that kind of treatment my OWN self ::bg:: I don't think it benefits the competition to be so blatantly biased)
I've loved watching the passion each designer has... it was a shame to see the bottom two this week, as they'd both dampened their passions to tailor their designs to what they *thought* the judges wanted.
Perhaps if they'd been unschooled, they'd worry less about what the *authority* thinks and more about how to represent themselves and their passion through clothes :)

[Susan]

I love PR and my daughter often watches, too. Today she asked how the contestants are picked and that started a conversation about portfolios and design cred. I like that PR tends to steer away from the behind-the-scenes drama. Since the designers live together it could very easily look like a production of "Real World". My favorite part is the runway -- I love seeing the designs when they are finished. Every show I'm impressed by what they're able to come up with. I only agree with the judges about 50% of the time when they choose a challenge winner but I can usually guess the top & bottom picks.

I love your take on how you follow along with the show -- that's "sew" creative (what can I say, it's after midnight and I'm feeling corny). I think I've made two wearable things in my life -- a pair of funky fringe pants for my daughter when she was 18 months old and back in high school I made a pair of "Hammer" pants. Remember those? lol

[Jennifer Landauer]

I think the game is a fantastic idea! After every episode my 9 yr old daughter starts drawing designs and sewing. She really wants one of those mannequin (without the head) things that they pin their designs on while they work. Any idea where to get one (lol I don't even know what they are called!)

[Katherine]

They're called dress forms. Here's a link to a DIY one and here's a youtube of the same idea. I would try a turtleneck shirt for wrapping the duct tape around. Or just google dress form and it looks like there's also links to buy them readymade.

[Robin CW]

Hi Diana, I agree that this season has been a bit weirder than usual in that respect. I kind of resent it when the judges seem to make choices based on dramatic potential, rather than skill or the actual designs. But that probably more to do with the the director and Heidi than it does Michael Kors, or Nina, or the guest judge. There are some pretty major egos there, and I can imagine a lot of heated discussions behind the scenes. The judges really do seem sad sometimes, to see someone go. Last month, I missed the episode where the girl who previously won the grocery store challenge with her coffee filter dress, was out. She was so innovative I was sure she was going to last to the end:-( I agree, it was so sad to see the designers let criticism and the stress of the competition affect them so negatively, especially since those things are constants in the high fashion world.

[Robin CW]

I totally LOVE the runway part, and the looks on the faces of the designers as their models parade past. I've done a lot of sewing in my life, and am just awestruck at the skills some of those folks have, or don't have!

[Robin CW]

Hi Jennifer, Making a dress form out of duct tape is possible and can just be a really fun and funny way to spend an afternoon. But it is not as quick or reliable as you might think. Still it is better than nothing if you can buy the tape in bulk, and weight the bottom of the form so that it won't keep tipping over when you dress it. Lots of fabrics stores sell (or can order) adjustable forms, and those will work for a wide range of shapes and sizes. They can be used for many years if kept clean and dry, but they do cost quite a bit, starting around $150 up to $400 or so. Hence, duct tape!

[Robin CW]

Thanks for the links Katherine. We had a dress form party for a bunch of teenage costumers a few years ago. Way fun. Everybody took turns wrapping each other up. It can get a bit tiring on the arms!
Everybody filled their forms with different materials; old t-shirts, rags, plastic grocery bags, paper bits from on office shredder, expandable foam insulation (not recommended, toooooo messy!), cotton batting, poly fiberfill, etc.
Then the kids got so "identified" with their forms that they started to paint and decorate them. Problem: paint rubs off of most duct tape onto most fabrics. Tip: If you want to do this, make a form fitting muslin sheath as a semi-permanent cover.

[Jennifer Landauer]

Thank you! I think we'll try the duct tape for fun and if she really wants to continue with her sewing we'll invest in a dress form. I'm still amazed by how much I'm learning and even enjoying activities I was never interested in but my kids are. It's so hard to explain to others how unschooling changes your entire life not just educating your children. We are certainly loving it!

[Robyn L. Coburn]

I love PR and so does Jayn. We have the PR My Scene Barbie from a few seasons ago.

What I have noticed is that whenever the contestant accepts and enacts Tim Gunn's suggestions, they do well. But whenever the contestant grumbles and whines, in the interview bit, "Well I'm going to trust my own opinion" that contestant is usually out, for a reason that is usually pretty much what Tim said was problematic about the garment.

They have this amazing resource in Tim Gunn, and they so often choose to ignore it, getting all pissy and rebellious in the process.

What confused me in the last season was that some of the people eliminated were sent off because they were presenting ideas that were "the same" and not showing a variation in their designs. Yet the guy who eventually went on to win sent out exactly the same thing every week - a super narrow, cigarette tight pant and a voluminous sleeve or wide shouldered top, cinched at the waist. Endlessly dull and for most real proportioned real women, unwearable.

In that same season I was so disappointed in the guy who couldn't make something amazing out of the wedding dress. Imagine how sad that lady might have felt to have her wedding dress destroyed unnecessarily. He was just being snobby about it being polyester. I would have obtained some cream linen and made a well fitting pantsuit with lace jabot blouse or appliqued the lace into the shoulders of the jacket.

They sew amazingly fast. I'm fast too, but what they achieve is remarkable - and an added pressure that designers in the real world wouldn't have to the same degree.

I too was sorry when the crafty lady was ejected. I liked her attack and process. I just wish Suede would learn about first person singular! Robyn is tired of him.

[Kim S.]

Oh my gosh ... my 4-year old son referred to himself in 3rd person for a good month to six weeks. Every time I tuned into Project Runway and heard Suede it cracked me up. I hope Oskar learns his 1st person pronouns before he is an adult (unlike Suede)! Alas, we won't get to hear from Suede any more!