MY-S-Cap Snoods

     In 2012 I created a new turban design for MySCap.     Making it was the easy part.  Giving it an appropriate name was much more of a challenge.   As with naming my two sons, I tried out many different names….. taking months to finally have the perfect name pop up.

      This design needed a name that would convey a bandana look in the front, yet a closed-in look in the back.    I thought of using the term “bustle” like ones seen in French impressionist painting.   The design puffed out in the back and was flat in the front, and so was a “bustle”.  The more I thought about it, the more I didn’t think the image of having a “bustle” on your head would be very appealing.  “Bouffant” was my next choice, which I did use for a while.   The problem was that a “bouffant” reminded me more of a shower cap, but it was the best word I could find at the time.

     Out of desperation, I expressed my dilemma to my dear etsy penpal/fellow artist at SoftShelterHats      She suggested “Snood”.    I had never heard of the term before, so I decided to look it up.   To my shock and delight the image that I pulled up was my design!    I found the correct name at last!

     Historically a snood is a type of headwear that looks like a bandana in the front, yet is closed in the back to contain the hair of a young unmarried Scotland or Northern England peasant girl while she went around doing her daily work.    Snoods were and are made today using cloth and yarn.     It is a very practical design.  Put it on and forget it!

      You will see snoods made out of beautiful macramé designs.  Since every turban/headwear item listed on MySCap is made first with a cancer patient in mind, they are made out of soft usually jersey rayon blend knit.    The ladies that purchase the snoods on MySCap, share the same needs as the young peasant girls, plus they are dealing with other issues such as chemo therapy, alopecia, other hair issues, a full time job, raising a family etc.    They need a design that they can “put on and forget it” and still feel pretty!   The last thing they want to deal with is adjusting their headwear.

     Every snood that is listed on MySCap has to past my “feel good” test.   I literally close my eyes and feel the fabric’s softness and weight.   Each snood weighs less than 2oz or 1/8^th of a pound.   I believe a feather might weigh more.   Once the fabric makes it into my home it must pass the second test, which is the washing machine and dryer.     All of MySCap’s fabric is prewashed, to remove any chemicals, dyes etc., and to eliminate shrinkage.

     With over 500 snoods sold, I feel that it is a design that works!   Presently over 150 different snoods are listed at www.myscap.etsy.com.    I only make a small number of each offering.    I do this because for one thing I would go crazy stitching up the same fabric over and over, plus I love working with different fabrics.

2015 Fall Fashion colors

 

   

 

       After I finished purchasing all the fabric I could possibly fit into my carry-on luggage from the NY Garment District, I decided to scout out what was being shown in the stores and on the streets.    What better place to look than Macy’s, where I could easily spend all day!   It definitely is the largest department store in the States and maybe the world.

        While looking, I struck up a conversation with a buyer.   Not being shy - I asked her what the 2015 Fall Fashion Colors were.    I explained that I was from Kentucky and that I made turbans for ladies dealing with cancer, alopecia etc.    She was so nice!  She whipped out her phone and showed me Macy’s 2015 fall color palate!      Although she couldn’t give the app, what she did show me was enough for me to do some net surfing and find the colors.    

      Every color in the color wheel is present, but they are all muted/darkened or softened.    No bright true colors.  Below is  just a sample of MySCap headwear using these colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Seams: https://www.etsy.com/shop/myscap?section_id=11262095&ref=shopsection_leftnav_6

 

Snood: https://www.etsy.com/shop/myscap?section_id=14584562&ref=shopsection_leftnav_4

 

Scarf-Turbans:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/myscap?section_id=11267230&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3

 

At  www.myscap.etsy.com.  you’ll see the complete listing of over 450 headwear items.

2015 Fall NY Fashion Visit

 

 

    While in New York City, I not only visit the “garment district” to find unique fabric for MySCap, but I also try to get a feel of upcoming fashion trends.    This visit was no exception.

       The garment district is located between 7^th & 8^th Avenue starting around 34^th Street and ending at 38^th Street.   It seemed like every 3^rd shop window had “over the top” colorful sequins fabric displayed.  I could imagine the beautiful gowns they would be made into for the holidays.    I feel safe to say that “bling” will still be making a fashion statement for a while.

        Along with the flashy sequins, I also noticed velvets and    velours.     What was interesting about the velvets and velours was that the fabric was stretchy, soft, did not crush, and “washable”!     The “old velvet”- although beautiful - had no stretch, would definitely crush if sat upon, was saved for formal wear or winter weddings, and had to be “dry cleaned”.  This velvet was being worn for everyday wear on the streets of New York.   I saw it in casual long straight skirts, and jackets.   As soon as I felt the new velvet, I knew it would make awesome looking snoods!     I ended up purchasing a Tumbleweed Camel and Plush Rich Vanilla.  

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/237985838/stretchy-velvet-hair-snoodplush-rich?ref=shop_home_active_18

       

 

 

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/251131374/velour-hair-snood-turban-tumbleweed?ref=shop_home_active_13

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/myscap/tools/listings/section:11262095/251132296 

     Since most of my headwear ends up on a sensitive scalp of a lady dealing with chemo, I always wash every piece of fabric.     I also do it because I hate hand washing or dry cleaning anything!  I was amazed at how beautiful both pieces of fabric looked when I took them out of the dryer!

     Another fashion fabric design that I noticed popping up on the racks was what I would describe as “Aztec”.   I actually fell in love with the fabric first and then started seeing it in the stores.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/250293273/hair-snood-turban-black-bone-aztec?ref=shop_home_feat_1

     Because I buy my fabrics from many different sources and, if left unchecked I would buy the whole store, l limit my New York City  fabric purchases to what will fit in my carry-on luggage.    It is a challenge that I love!    I am usually able to return to Kentucky with about 8-10 treasured fabrics.    I went on this trip purposely to bring back rayon or cotton jersey knits for my snoods and scarf-turbans.   Thankfully that fabric is so lightweight that it took up little room in my carry-on.   

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229409795/butterfly-hair-snood-turban-with-cap?ref=shop_home_active_6

   The jersey knit that I just had to buy was 100% cotton with small butterflies.     About once a month I get a cap request for a small child dealing with cancer.    These requests always tear at my heart.    Being a mother and grandmother I can feel their pain.    I purchased this fabric for those little girls.   The sales lady was so sweet.    When I told her what I was going to use the fabric for, she gave me a special deal.   I think she was a mother and grandmother too.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

Organic Cotton

What Does It Mean???

Is it Better?

 

           Aside from organic cotton feeling awesome against you skin, it is also great for the environment and the farmers producing it!    It takes 1/3 pound of synthetic fertilizer to grow 1 pound of raw cotton in the U.S., and it takes approximately 1 pound of raw cotton to make 1 shirt.   Regular cotton crops cover 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land, yet it uses 16% of the world’s insecticides.    This is more than any other single major crop…..definitely not good for “Mother Earth”.

         Organic cotton is grown in subtropical climates around the world.   For any cotton to be labeled “organic” in the USA, it must meet the standards established by the Organic Food Production Act of 1990.  Organic cotton growers are required to use farming techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control.    Synthetic petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides, human sewage sludge, and plant growth hormones are prohibited.

           Since 1990 the yearly production of organic cotton has continued to increase rapidly, going from 3.2 million pounds in 2004 to over 9 trillion pounds in 2014.  The six largest organic retailers in North America in 2011 were: Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Super Target, Subway, and Whole Foods Markets.    Walmart is the largest grower of organic cotton in the world.

     Although the production of organic cotton has increased, it is unlikely that you’ll find organic fabric at your local fabric store.   I have searched many avenue and back streets to find organic cotton - to no avail.   Finally, on the internet I found the organic interlocking knit that I use for My-S-Cap’s 3-Seam turban caps.   It complies with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification guidelines, and only uses low impact dyes.     It has a 40% stretch across grain which means it will move when you move, making it ultra-comfortable against any scalp.    For many chemo patients, this is extremely important.

        Lastly, not all “organic cotton” is the same.   The OTA (Organic Trade Association) standards have four levels of organic labeling ranging from 100% organic, with all components including sewing thread be organically certified, to less than 70%.    Whenever possible, look for terms such as: “low impact dyes”, no chemical finishes or fiber-reactive dye, & GOTS.  Finding organic cotton items is a challenge, but well worth the effort!

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 See other 3 Seam Organic Cotton Headwear at  www.myscap.etsy.com in 3Seam section.  The red organic snood on the right is in the Snood Section.                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NY City's Garment District

       Most people visit NY City for the big stores, awesome museums, the theatre etc.   Although these are wonderful, the real gem for me is the “Garment District” located from 34^th to 40^th street between 6^th and 8^th Avenue.

        My first brief glimpse of the garment district was in the late 80’s.   It has changed!    The days of seeing racks of manufactured garments moving quickly from showrooms and warehouses across the busy streets are gone.   It’s much quieter now, but still has the charm of days past.

      The stores are long, narrow, old, and stuffed full of every type of fabric you can image.   For the serious seamstress…it is a shopping paradise!   Think of the direct opposite of fabric chain stores like JoAnn’s.   It is a treasure hunt.  No signs directing you to neat displays.  No computers to ring up your sales, and mostly likely not even listed prices.  I was lucky enough to be escorted by a native New Yorker who had attended the fashion magnet high school nearby.    

       We began our outing at the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology fashionmuseum.fitnyc.edu/ ), located at 27 Street, which is one of the few “free” museums in the city.    The exhibits change often.  From there, we walked up grand 7^th Avenue.  During the brisk walk, my friend tried to give me a crash course on how to “bargain” in the garment district.    Her first words of advice were…… never accept the first price you’re quoted.

        The real excitement began when we left the wide busy 7^th Ave and turned on to 34^th street.  It was like walking through a Harry Potter’s “porthole”!    The little stores didn’t have flashing neon lights or beautiful window displays.   In fact, it was just the opposite.    It was almost as if they were hiding on purpose.  Sort of like……  “If you’re not smart enough to find us ………. Too bad”!

         There is so much fabric crammed into these little stores that you honestly can’t tell what color the walls are painted.    I am usually a very take charge person, but in the Garment District, I let my guide do the talking.  She was a pro!

       After visiting the little shops from 34^th to 38^th St, I decided that I found what I was looking for and the price I was willing to pay back on 35^th St. at MODE FABRICS.   When the nice man asked what I wanted, I smiled and said…”all of it, but I can only buy what will fit in my carry-on luggage”.    I ended up purchasing fabric for the snoods and jersey scarf-turbans that you see on MysCap.etsy.com.    I will definitely be back!

    

Just a sample of my New York City Garment District treasures!

 

Right Gift - Right Time

 

Every once in a while we receive the right “gift” at the right “time”.   This little book of quotes “i’m too young to be this d@*n old” was that gift for me this Christmas.   

Most of us have heard the saying “it’s just a number” or “you’re only as old as you feel”, but truth be known it is more than a number, especially when that number is 16, 21, 40, 50, 60, or the big 65!!!!!    In the past I really didn’t mind chalking up another year …… it was just a “number”, but for some reason 65 was becoming a little harder to swallow. 

 

Being only 5’3”, in good health, and still being able to buy clothes in the junior department, I guess inside I still felt like I was “young”.    Teaching middle school of 30+ years probably was also a contributing factor.    Like Peter Pan, I think my mind just got stuck in thinking I was young, or at least that I wasn’t “old”!

Having a birthday on Christmas Day usually meant that my birthday never took center stage.   I was usually fine with that as long as I got a gift wrapped in non-Christmas paper and a birthday card.   I really didn’t even need a cake.  But when I turned 65, the government and every insurance company started reminding me in July that the 65 was quickly approaching!  I just didn’t want to deal with the hassle of “Medicare”!    I liked that status quo, and just wanted to quietly step into my next year of life.

My 18 year old grandson told me that while he was Christmas shopping, he saw it.   It just called out to him to get it for me.  He told his friends…this is perfect for my grandmother!    I am so blessed to have grandkids that keep me young.      We travel, play games, work, tease, talk, and laugh!    If you’ve read my “about” page on etsy, you’ll know how much they help to make My-S-Cap a success.  

The quotes in this little book have made me think, smile, and LOL!    I hope you enjoy them as I share them throughout the year with you on myscap facebook posts.

First of many quotes….

“Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise” – Margaret Atwood.