Sew What?! A Shimmering '60s Minidress???

How often does it happen that you start out with every intention of creating a shimmering, '60s minidress...

Only to end up - after hours of sewing and hand-finishing - with Jane Jetson's housecoat?

Sorry, George...

It probably didn't help that this Mr. Tiny Original was made out of a lightweight upholstery fabric featuring alternating stripes of purple and gold lamé (recognizable from Mary's red Happy Holiday Frock); the metallic fabric sewn into a Star Trekian v-shaped yoke only added to the mid-century, space-age sensibility. 

Yes, Mary was fated to look like a dress-extra from that lesser known sci-fi masterpiece, Mars Needs Matrons.  

I really should have seen this one coming.

As I don't often sew in shades of violet, I was devoid of an appropriate lining
material.  In typical cheapskate make-do fashion, I dove into my stash of remnants,
emerging with this piece of Marimekko's beautiful Tulipunainen print (1960). 

Brainstorming for a way to elevate the humble housecoatery of my creation, I returned to the sewing machine and made a matching pair of fully-lined dance pants.  

Dance pants or decorative diaper cover?  You be the judge.

It was only then I realized that, when paired with the brevity of the hemline, the briefs only served to make the dress look like a '60s babydoll nightie.  Undeterred, Mary took the dress out for its first spin last year at Jonathan Toubin's Soul Clap at Downtown LA's Regent Theater.  So busy dancing were we that, of course, we photo'd not a single op.

Fortunately, representatives from LA Weekly were on hand to catch Mary "Tighten Up."
(Source)

Truly, the only pictures we have come courtesy of the Weekly's Lena Lecaro.
(Source)

Languishing among the racks of barely-worn Mr. Tiny creations, this dress came to mind when Mary was deciding on potential outfits for the Brian Wilson "Pet Sounds" concert we attended over the weekend.  As the event was the highlight of California's Mid-State Fair (and the lives of these two California kids), we attempted to make the most of our surroundings by making our way to the midway! 

Armed with only our phones, we did our best to

capture the ambient light provided by the rides.

In honor of the wheel, we call this dress "Bueller."

(brought to you by Spacely's Space Sprockets).

Mary swings with...well, swings!

My favorite ride has always been the carnival swings.

I love the feeling of flying amongst the romantic portraits 

of all those lovely ladies painted on the canopy.

Details of the dress are few in these photos but one is certainly evident.

Like all women who wear dresses, Mary was particularly pleased with the pockets!!!

This dress marks the millionth time I have kidded Mary for rarely/never wearing the clothes I make for her.  After two nights out on the town, I tell myself that I am allowed to count this dress among my successes.  Without any resentment, I am satisfied if the future of this frock is relegated to becoming the futuristic housecoat it was always meant to be...I guess "[It] Just Wasn't Made for These Times."

"I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" - The Beach Boys (1966)

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Your Summer Dream: The Beach Boys Monument

It seemed, for a time, as if there was a particularly-virulent Beach Boys backlash.  It was like the song "Kokomo," by mere association, single-handedly voided the credibility of the entire Brian Wilson songbook.  It felt like one had to explain away an affinity for The Beach Boys by describing it as a "guilty pleasure."  

"In My Room"

If there was a backlash, it seems to have subsided and I, for one, am glad.  Maybe it is my Southern California upbringing, maybe it is because when I am alone in my room I still feel like a melancholy teenager, but my love for The Beach Boys is abiding, and I'm willing to say it out loud on this very public forum.  "I, Mr. Tiny, am a Beach Boys fan!"

The childhood home of the Wilson brothers should serve, if not as a museum or a music school, at least as a shelter to another Southern California family with enough musical potential to challenge the success of The Beatles and sell over 100 million records.  Instead, with the building of the 105 freeway, the Wilson Homestead became another victim of eminent domain.

The street where their childhood home once stood is now marked by a monument erected by faithful fans of The Beach Boys and registered with the State of California as an historic landmark.  In the land of perpetual summer, we could comfortably visit the monument at any time of the year but we decided that summertime proper was the only time to make our pilgrimage to the Beach Boy Monument in Hawthorne, CA.

Mr. Tiny takes a stand - atop The Beach Boys monument.

The monument recreates the cover of the "Surfer Girl" album but includes
all six Boys - Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson, Mike Love,
Al Jardine, and David Marks. 

"The Rocking Surfer"

Dedicated on May 20, 2005, the monument, in terms of form, is a little less than inspired; the red bricks don't speak to the sand, sun, or surf with which The Beach Boys are so closely identified.  The spirit with which the structure was built and the messages inscribed on those red bricks, however, offer some redemption.

HA!

"Wouldn't It Be Nice"

I thought I got all of them, but I missed Carl Wilson!

"Good Vibrations"

There isn't some deep message to sustain the length of this post; it is just an appreciation for a local band that made good.  Here are some of my favorite Beach Boy hits!

"Be True To Your School"

"Dance, Dance, Dance"

"Don't Worry Baby"

"God Only Knows"

I couldn't have said it better myself!

What is your favorite Beach Boys song?  Whatever it is, make it your summer dream to go visit The Beach Boys Monument!

"Your Summer Dream"

The Beach Boys Monument

3701 W 119th St

Hawthorne, CA


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny