A Dress A Day

A dress.
Mostly every day.

April 14, 2008

Robots! Robots! Robots!

Nora *and* Theresa sent me links to some robot fabric that I *must have*:


robot fabric!

It's at CraftyPlanet -- click the image to visit their store. I haven't bought any yet, though, because I don't know what it wants to be, and thus don't know how much I need. (I would normally just suck it up and buy five yards, but this fabric is EXPENSIVE.) I'm hoping it decides it wants to be a skirt, so I can get away with buying two and a half yards.

If you already know what you'd like to sew out of robot fabric, maybe you need twill robot trim from SuperBuzzy:


robot trim!


And while I'm talking about robots -- I "collect" songs that have the word "robot" in the title or that are sung/played by bands with "robot" in their name. (What can I say? I like music made by happy machines.) If you want to subscribe to the Yahoo! Pipes feed I made (which looks on Hype Machine for songs fitting those criteria) I think that link will let you do so.

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posted by Erin @ 7:14 AM  

40 Comments:

  • At Apr 14, 2008 8:04:00 AM, Anonymous Becky O. said…

    Robots you say?
    You may want to check out This week In Science Podcast-
    http://www.twis.org/
    They compile some great music and sell a CD of the best each year. They are also talk a lot about looming world robot domination.
    And the science is cool : )

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 8:17:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I think that fabric wants to be the Butterick "Walkaway" dress. With either a metallic underskirt, or gunmetal grey sateen.

    Amy

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 8:26:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Oh, man.

    You know, I made a real commitment in my life to simplify simplify simplify, and the world throws stuff like this at me. It really makes it hard on a girl.

    *sigh*

    I ::heart:: retro robots.

    Lydia

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 8:52:00 AM, Anonymous DivaJean said…

    This would look awesome as the skirt portion of a full shirtwaist dress. I would opt for the lighter grey of the robots as the bodice color- maybe have the collar as print as well?

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 8:54:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Oooh, this is expensive. How do you feel about vests? It could want to be a skirt that is very straight, just like the shape of some of those robot bodies. Or it may want to be something like a collar band lining that peeks out from an otherwise very serious garment. It would make people who sit by you in meetings think twice and pay closer attention!
    Dawn

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 8:56:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    but, it's kinda purple... can you live with purple?

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 9:02:00 AM, Blogger Theresa said…

    I think it wants to be a wiggle dress for a Fembot. I am so glad you liked it!

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 9:18:00 AM, Blogger Jennifer said…

    It doesn't have the word "robot" in either the band name or song title, but "The Humans Are Dead" by Flight of the Conchords is about robots taking over the world, and is sung by "robots" (i.e. cute Kiwis pretending to be robots). Does that count? =)

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 9:18:00 AM, Blogger Jennifer said…

    It doesn't have the word "robot" in either the band name or song title, but "The Humans Are Dead" by Flight of the Conchords is about robots taking over the world, and is sung by "robots" (i.e. cute Kiwis pretending to be robots). Does that count? =)

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 9:22:00 AM, Blogger Beth said…

    Robots, robots! You should check out my friend Monica's Helper Robots comics -- www.helper-robots.com. They are robotlicious.

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 9:27:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I absolutely LOVE the idea of glam-ing this fabric up with something irridescent/sparkly/metallic and using it for a day skirt -- wear with a tiny black cardigan buttoned up with no blouse. Minimal jewelry and spectacular shoes or boots (of course!) Thanks for sharing!

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 9:50:00 AM, Anonymous Lady Be Good said…

    Since this is medium weight cotton, I definitely think that it wants to be a skirt. I think its saying, "fullish skirt with a wide waist band, hem band, and pocket trim in that yellow-green, or the lighter gray color." The fabric does seem to be on the heavy side if you look at it close up, so I think that its meant to be more of a full a-line than a circle skirt.

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 10:23:00 AM, Blogger Holly said…

    I have to echo the Flight of the Conchords recommendations (which I'm sure you're already familiar with Erin, and if not, you'll love it). Look out for the "Binary Solo" at the end:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1BdQcJ2ZYY&feature=related

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 10:24:00 AM, Blogger Jen said…

    This is a song about robots, with a music video that includes lite-brite animated dancing robots (although "robot" doesn't appear in the song title).

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxZJYbVd1hE

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 10:46:00 AM, Blogger LadyT said…

    I assume that you know the song "Robot Parade" by They Might Be Giants. If not, get a copy of it somewhere and listen to it!

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 11:11:00 AM, Blogger wundermary said…

    I am in agreement that this should be a skirt with a metalic underskirt. I am thinking short and full, how about a circle skating skirt?
    You could even do something funky by cutting the underskirt slightly longer and triming it's edge (on the right side) with the robot twill tape. It looks like it has enough stiffness to help it stand out a bit.
    You could reinforce the design by trimming the lower edge of the outer skirt with a bias strip of the metalic underskirt fabric.

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 11:31:00 AM, Blogger Nadia said…

    It's not exactly a robot, but it's AI -- have you heard the ending song to Portal? If not, Youtube it now!

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 11:36:00 AM, Blogger Erin said…

    Oh, Nadia, I *love* that song! And Ladyt, "Robot Parade", too. And Jennifer, thanks for the links to the Conchords ... hadn't checked them out yet!

    (And JoCo is the bestest.)

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 12:47:00 PM, Anonymous tricia of bitsandbobbins.com said…

    you may or may not like pete miser's "scent of a robot":

    http://www.spike.com/video/scent-of-robot-pete/2664610

    it totally cracks me up. :)

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 12:48:00 PM, Blogger Cookie said…

    I think the robot twill trim could be subversively effective on an apron -- or hostess gown -- for an overworked stay-at-home-mom. It would be like a silent cry for help. Then stand back and see if anyone notices! (You could also make the apron for your favorite neighborhood Stepford Wife.)

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 1:03:00 PM, Anonymous Sanna said…

    Perfect timing! I've recently become obsessed with the idea of making a deep purple sundress and embroidering a robot on the skirt. And please say that the post title is a reference to Tatu's robot song! http://youtube.com/watch?v=fwC6FG88g4k

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 1:11:00 PM, Blogger Christina said…

    I just found this fabric available at Pacific Fabrics in a beige colorway. I can't find it online or at other stores. I will try to look up the name and designer. It is $18 a yard, but I want five yards because this fabric is screaming to be a full skirted dress. Perhaps Simplicity 3278.

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 2:54:00 PM, Blogger Valerie said…

    I was going to suggest the Flight of the Conchords song as well but someone beat me to it. That song is what got ME into robots (usually I like zombies!). Awesome fabric, but super expensive is right.

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 3:02:00 PM, Blogger AMY @ CRABTREE STUDIO said…

    I have this robot fabric and it's delightful! It's a bit heavy - closer to canvas weight, not a light cotton. I've used it for items for my son. I also bought it at Crafty Planet - be advised it sold out extremely quick the first shipment they got, and I expect it to do that again (because I know I'm going back in for a bit more)!

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 7:41:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    My first thought is for my robot crazy son - pajama pants. I know, I know - not as cool as the full skirt that I think it should be but at $15.00 a yard these robots are staying on the store shelves. Sigh! Oh for the good old '70's when I thought any fabric over $3.00 a yard was just too, too much and gas was under $2.00 a gallon!

    Thanks as always for a break in the day!

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 7:52:00 PM, Blogger Mandy said…

    Eeek! Oh, swoon... I do love robots. Thanks for posting this. :)

    I think the fabric would be perfect for one of those fairly full skirts with big pockets and unstructured pleats we're seeing around these days.

     

  • At Apr 14, 2008 10:50:00 PM, Blogger RachelMM said…

    Oh, man! I was totally going to sew my husband a button down shirt in this fabric until Amy let us know it's heavy like canvas. (Thank you Amy!) Bummer.

     

  • At Apr 15, 2008 5:53:00 AM, Blogger Dilly said…

    Ooh ooh OOOH!!! I'm so tempted... My fiance did his PhD in robotics so something is needed there methinks.

    As for robot-themed songs, my favourite by far is "Robot" by the Futureheads http://www.last.fm/music/The+Futureheads/_/Robot. Lyrics at http://www.lyricsondemand.com/f/futureheadslyrics/robotlyrics.html

    "I have no mind. I have no mind" (am actually sitting at my desk dancing like a robot)

     

  • At Apr 15, 2008 6:25:00 AM, Blogger Denise said…

    Not vintage, but I think Marci Tilton't Vogue 7746 vest pattern would be good. However, even though it is a vest it still requires 3 yards.

     

  • At Apr 15, 2008 12:39:00 PM, Anonymous Jean C. said…

    Might I suggest that if your pattern is say a bit over the width of the fabric just take it in a bit at the bottom of the skirt (that is if your end up doing a full skirt) cause it will save you some yardage in the long run. I do it on wedding dresses all the time.
    Have fun! It sure is cute!

     

  • At Apr 15, 2008 12:45:00 PM, Anonymous Jean C. said…

    Oops, I forgot something. What if you did a full skirt, and then put a slip underneath it that had say a mint green (or as close to the color in the fabric) on the bottom 2 inches or so? It would make the skirt longer and cut the amount by a few inches or so? Every little bit helps!

     

  • At Apr 16, 2008 4:17:00 AM, Anonymous Adrienne said…

    Why not replace the robots with actual working employees - now, wouldn't THAT be a novelty!

    Cute fabric for an outer space costume event.

     

  • At Apr 16, 2008 5:55:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    emm not got robot in the title but jed the humanoid is a roboty one by grandaddy. those fabrics are ridiculously awesome. I'd love me something roboty in a nice jersey type fabric though to make a pretty wrap dress.

     

  • At Apr 16, 2008 7:51:00 AM, Anonymous Eirlys said…

    Well, if you made some PJs, you could always sing yourself poor old Marvin the Paranoid Android's lullaby (c/o 'Life, the Universe and Everything'):-

    Now the world has gone to bed
    Darkness won't engulf my head
    I can see by infra-red
    How I hate the night

    Now I lay me down to sleep
    Try to count electric sheep
    Sweet dream wishes you can keep
    How I hate the night

     

  • At Apr 16, 2008 7:56:00 PM, Blogger layzbugs said…

    Best Robot Song:
    Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips.

    Also, Mr. Roboto

     

  • At Apr 17, 2008 8:58:00 AM, Blogger Alyssa said…

    So of course you like the one man band The Robot Ate Me?
    <3 Alyssa

     

  • At Apr 17, 2008 12:54:00 PM, Blogger AMY @ CRABTREE STUDIO said…

    All of this robot fabric is now gone! I snapped up the last of it (7/8ths of a yard). Crafty Planet still has some in a different colorway (natural with red accents). I believe they said it has been discontinued too! So sad! It's so cute - I've made car organizers for my son that hold all his books and pencils (long car rides to visit family) and a couple pillows for his room.

    BTW - for those that didn't like the thickness of the fabric, they also had another robot fabric that was of a lighter weight - very cute! It can be found here.

    I love robots!

     

  • At Apr 19, 2008 11:50:00 AM, Anonymous Emma said…

    I, too, have a robot playlist. Unfortunately, I currently have only 4 songs:

    -(My 1st) Big Break by Cut Chemist (features the refrain "People get ready... the robots are coming!")

    -Humanoid Boogie by The Bonzo Dog Band ("Some people say it with flowers, some people say it at Lloyd's, but you don't find many tryin to say it with humanoids")

    -Paranoid Android by Radiohead

    -Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips

     

  • At Apr 19, 2008 10:54:00 PM, Blogger Pinup Dresses said…

    A sack dress or a 60s styled A line would be super fun w/ this retro fabric! Love it :)

     

  • At Apr 20, 2008 9:14:00 AM, Blogger Rachel said…

    You might enjoy this robot video a friend of mine made with her vintage bots. I think the name of the song she used was Robotron 2000?

    Thanks for posting about your recent St. Louis fashion show post. I'm in STL and didn't hear about it.

     

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