Hey All!
We’re off to the land of chocolate and cows! We’ll be back to the sewing machines on the 9th of September. We’ll still be answering your e.mails so if you desperately need information give us a shout at:
randi@randijofab.com
or
eric@randijofab.com
School has started in this neck of the woods. Tweens and teenagers are out in crowds, texting and sexting in their new skinny jeans. The library is actually filled with people on weekdays and the playgrounds of every Elementary school are packed with squirmy little kiddos. Recess!!
It’s our turn for a recess here shortly. We’re attending the wedding of my “Swisster” in (you guessed it) Switzerland and thus will be taking a long recess for 2 weeks. Don’t fret my loyal patrons, we will return refeshed and ready with a new sewing machine! Hooray! While we’re away we will be able to take your questions, your comments and your musing via e.mail. Randi just won’t be sewing for two weeks so if you order something, the ETA will be after September 8th. Capito?
In other news, Team Randi Jo Fab recently visited the great Phil Wood & Co. for a nickel tour and a shameless promotion of our custom embroidered caps. A free cap for them, a tour of their facilities for us! We even got a sneek peek of a new product that you all don’t know about. Hah! It’s pretty, that’s all I’m gonna say.
Here’s two thirds of us out front:
For all those still wanting a M.U.T., they ARE available in our store! There’s still time to order before recess! Get one here
Those who received the first shipment of M.U.T.s, we want to hear from you! What’s in your M.U.T.?
A couple posts back we asked y’all to bring forth your cycling soft goods ideas and to our surprise and dismay, you actually responded! We may sound a little bias, but the winner of our unannounced contest is none other than…(drum roll)… my dear old Dad! We have a 2nd and 3rd place too, with visuals below. Who knows, maybe we’ll whip them up too. For now, we’re moving forth with our favorite idea, the M.U.T. or Multi-Use Tote. Not to be mistaken with the M151 MUTT (Military Utility Tactical Truck) or the Multi-User Trivial Terminal.
Just M.U.T. with one T.
Decribing our M.U.T. is almost as tough as describing a real mutt, “He enjoys climbing on playground equipment, chasing a ball, destroying sticks and boxes, attacking the hose, kissing the cats, swimming, agility, running and searching for rabbit turds.”
Our lovable M.U.T. is a tote that fits snuggly in and around a standard bottle cage. Cordura covers the outside of this tote and nylon lines the inside for easy ins and outs. It boasts an outer pocket that fits just so over the bottle cage lip and a roll top to customize the fit according to your load.
Two extra loops in the back give you more options for mounting as an under-seat bag, frame bag or in a non-standard bottle cage.
What do you put in the M.U.T., you ask? Tools, patch kit & tube.
Tall boy or standard beer can OR glass bottle – no more rattling! Did we mention the M.U.T. is insulated with foam?!! (Home Depot notions are AWESOME!)
You can keep your fragile snacks in the M.U.T., your roadside finds, or a mini camera.
Everyone loves a mutt and I hope most will love our M.U.T..
Second place, with more ideas than our think-tank could have ever imagined goes to “The Shippers.” I think those boys need to start sewing themselves – so many GREAT ideas. Here’s a taste of what they had in mind… (page 1 of 5!)
And Third place, an unexpected entry from Eric’s amazing Grandma “Mom Mom” – an idea she had saved from what looks to be the 70′s. A belt bag for the lady biker! Complete with construction details. I love this little bag and will perhaps make my own version one of these days. Thanks, Mom Mom!
Let us know what you think of the results and the M.U.T. which will be in production very shortly. Options will included several Cordura colorways and the possibility of waxed canvas instead of Cordura to go with your Baggins bags…or your Golden Retriever/Coonhound/Dane mix!
Taking a break from our home away from home meant organizing the dog, the kid, a chicken sitter and ourselves. We loaded up our only automobile (the Bus) with the Pugsley’s and headed for the Sierras. Grandpa and Nana’s house was the destination; a three hour drive through the central valley and up into the foothills of the Sierra’s to quiet Arnold, CA.
Once parked and settled, Beck and Gus stayed to play in the dirt and pine needles with Gramps n’ Nana while Eric and I took the Pugsley’s out for a much needed ride. Pushing those big ol’ tires over rocks and roots was just the break we needed from the errand-running-off-to-work road riding.
Wildflowers were in full bloom and a pleasant surprise after spending the last few months in the dry valley. I saw my first Sarcodes sanguinea or Snowplant – super cool asparagus-like plant pushing through the forest floor in a vibrant red color.
Eric took a side trip on the ridge trail and captured this shot.
We pedaled up to Lake Alpine and enjoyed a lunch of provolone, salami and Snickers. It was official. We were on a date and the Pugsley’s were our taxi to kid-free time.
Peering out of the chicken door and looking towards the future, Beck Otis imagines a world where chickens roam freely, mud is prevalent and strawberries grow all year long.
Oh, summertime!
As we gaze towards the future, we’re envisioning worldwide saddle cover domination (without sacrificing our smallness), bicycle rides daily and enough free time to sew for ourselves.
So, we thought we’d try to touch base with our loyal readership (all 10 of you!) and get some free advice.
We want to add to our collection of cycling soft goods and we’re looking to you for ideas.
A frame bag, perhaps. Merino undies? Maybe a riding skirt. Send us your ideas, whether they’re a passing daydream or a long-awaited product. We’d like to know. Maybe we’ll have a WINNER and I’ll make you a free something(s.) You can comment on this blog post, or if it’s a top secret idea, send it to randi@randijofab.com. I’ll keep it hush-hush…unless you win. Then we’ll have to talk.
In other news, we’ve been staying busy with cap orders and new Etsy orders – don’t forget to check out our shop here. We’ve got in stock caps, one of a kinds and lots of caps for kiddos. Cheap too!
Lastly, if you need a cute fix, Mr. Fox here will help you out.
This guy (or girl) was hanging out in our backyard with two other furry friends. Watch out, chickens!!
Here is a fine Brooks B17 saddle. It is a nice saddle and a well loved piece of cow.
Thank you, British cow.
Thank you, British rancher who raised this cow.
Thank you, Brooks people for making this saddle.
Such a loved leather saddle needs a little extra care now and then to protect it from the elements. This includes the mean ol’ sun and salty sweat – which is why we’re talking about saddle covers in the middle of June.
That said, you may still find yourself in an unexpected downpour and grab the closest waterproof material to cover your saddle.
But with such a sack, one may wonder how well your perch is protected and for how long…
Enter the Randi Jo Fabrications Saddle Cover
The codpiece to your family jewels, the sheath to your sword, the cozie to your beer. A waterproof confection for your leather saddle!
(2 ply Ultrex, a nylon liner and a Cordura underside flap!)
It has many fine accomodations for your saddle such as underside protection
(not found anywhere on any saddle cover we’ve EVER seen!)
which is much needed – especially when you don’t run fenders,
and
saddle loop openings
and industrial strength snaps to keep the cover from slipping due to daily ‘body English‘ applied to your saddle (if you’re that kind of rider…)
And an elastic Velcro strap at the nose that stretches with your saddle
And when it’s not raining or you’re not sweating in the crotch region, or when the sun isn’t beating down on it… (maybe a few weeks out of the year)
you can stow it away under your saddle using those same handy snaps.
Just roll it up, snap n’ go!
They aren’t unsightly to look at, cover up your piece of cow quite completely, and we now make ‘em in a few colors and several sizes.
And in case you didn’t realize, they’re in the shape of dog heads.
So we like to ride on a piece of cow in the shape of a dog head. I guess all good things come from nature… oh, biomimicry!
Just yesterday, the Tour of California passed through Santa Cruz and we had a chance to catch the fast boys at work. The Hunters’ of Hunter Cycles invited us and a whole posse of bike loving friends over for burgers and a front row seat as the tour climbed up Bonny Doon. As the passel of tour cars, VIP cars (only $5,000 per seat!) and police on motorcycles came along, cheap beer and Doritos were consumed in anticipation of the riders.
I haven’t followed the race too closely, but seeing those guys ride up that hill faster than I can ride on the flats with a tailwind was pretty impressive. The crowd was almost as enthusiastic as their European counterparts – slaps of encouragement on the rider backs were frequent, beer offered and declined…
Eric got a nice money shot of Armstrong…who was comfortably in the Peloton.
And it was over in a flash of lycra and carbon… As we headed back up the hill, Eric commented that he just got a good dose of ”life juice.” I was feeling it too; the excitement and enthusiasm serging through your body as you mount your steed… but maybe in Eric’s case, the Coors helped a little.
We have three new colors inspired by the California in another great fabric choice; linen! Made from fibers of the flax, it’s also valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather. Another great summer cap choice from the folks at Randi Jo Fabrications!
Tapatio. That undefiable hot sauce with the handsome man in the sombero…a constant staple in our household and a terrific color as well thanks to those hot red peppers.
Cabernet. A wine grape common in the Santa Clara County and apparently a specialty at the winery up the street, Sycamore Creek (http://www.sycamorecreekvineyards.com/) where they dry farm the grapes to create intense flavors & aromas.
Sycamore. The majestic tree Platanus racemosa or the California Sycamore has molting bark in an attractive patchwork of white, tawny beige, silvery gray, and pale brown, with older bark becoming darker and peeling away.
You can purchase caps in five different sizes from the store, or for a change of pace, visit our new Etsy store and pick up a few other handmade goods from folks around the world!
By Wikipedia’s definition,
Seersucker is a thin, all-cotton fabric, commonly striped or checkered, used to make clothing for spring and summer wear. The word came into English from Hindi, which originates from the Persian words “shir o shekar,” meaning “milk and sugar”, probably from the resemblance of its smooth and rough stripes to the smooth surface of milk and bumpy texture of sugar. Seersucker is woven in such a way that some threads bunch together, giving the fabric a wrinkled appearance in places. This feature causes the fabric to be mostly held away from the skin when worn, facilitating improved heat dissipation and air circulation. It also means that ironing is not necessary.
And with this wonderful fabric, Randi Jo Fabrications is making caps! We’ve got three enticing colors that work for the ladies and the lads.
We think they’re the perfect kid cap too.
A little history behind the fabric reveals that it was originally worn by the poor in the U.S. until undergraduate students, in an air of reverse snobbery, began to wear the fabric.[4] Damon Runyon wrote that his new habit for wearing seersucker was “causing much confusion among my friends. They cannot decide whether I am broke or just setting a new vogue.”
So there you go, set a new vogue and wear seersucker on your head. Beck does and he’s pretty hip to what the kids are wearing these days.
A few short weeks ago we made a temporary move to the great state of California for 7 months. We loaded up the Surly bus with sewing gear, toys and the espresso machine. Essentials. We landed in the Silicon Valley on the other side of the Santa Cruz mountains. Morgan Hill, to be exact. We’re hoping to do some networking and grow our little sewing business into something sustainable. However, it’s not quite there yet so Eric acquired his old job at Sunshine Bicycles in Gilroy. A classic Ma n’ Pop shop that’s been in business for over 35 years. Since being shop owners ourselves, Eric has become quite attached to his own tools, especially his EVT repair arm. ( Get one here: http://www.efficientvelo.com/ ) That said, it rides to work with him everyday. A few days into the job he found a need to lighten his back load & came up with this:
I also made him a new apron with custom tool slots and plaid trim. He seems to be the only one who wears an apron around here, but he’s not ashamed of his geekdom and wears it well. While Eric is working part time, Beck & I spend our time in the garden and on the bike (and trailer). I’m not super familiar with the area and traveling with a toddler in tow makes me more cautious of the routes I choose. Not to mention becoming lil’ Miss Safety – I’m getting a mirror on my bike for the first time and I scored a lime green vest someone dropped in the middle of the road. I’ve started using Google Maps Bicycling Routes with great success. So far it’s taken me through neighborhoods and away from major intersections. Morgan Hill seems to be somewhat bicycle friendly, at least there’s a lot of folks on bikes and I haven’t been honked at yet. I see at least half a dozen cyclists everytime I go out, but about 95% of them are roadies getting their training ride in. Everyone is dressed up and riding something lighter than my son. I look like an oddity on my pink cross bike with a trailer in tow…and did I mention I wear jeans…and regular shoes! It’s great to see bikes on the road for sure, but I miss the everyday cyclists that use their bikes for transportation, not just exercise.
We’re a couple of misfits around here, but that doesn’t bother me. It just makes me think of The Breakfast Club; A bunch of cyclists, all different stereotypes, meet on the road and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought. It’s so cheesy but SO GOOD.
” We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”
Can I be Molly Ringwald?
