In the Details: Piping

Dirndls have some details that are different from your everyday sundress, like piping. Many dirndls utilize piping as a subtle detail that adds a pop of color or an elegant touch. I create all my own piping in order to make each pieces unique and cohesive. The colors can match perfectly and brings the whole look together. Here's how it's made!

First I start with the fabric. I use scraps to save on fabric and create less waste. Piping must be cut on the bias, at a 45° angle. Using my ruler and rotary cutter to cut the fabric into strips.

 


The next step is to sew all the strips together on the straight grain. Sewing the strips on the grain (so another 45° angle) makes it less bulky and the seam a little less noticeable.

I take the extra time to press open every seam to ensure it looks clean and perfect. 

Finally, I run it though the machine placing a bit of yarn in the center.

 And thats it! Piping finished!

Although the process is rather simple, it is very time consuming. I make all my own, because buying it is a tricky thing. You can buy piping at your local fabric store. It comes in small packets, in a variety of popular colors. However, like I mentioned before, I like my piping to match perfectly to the rest of the dirndl. To buy custom piping you need to buy at least 500 yards and since it takes a maximum of 3 yards per dirndl, 500 is a bit much for me. So I make it myself. Its tedious and sometimes boring, but it makes the finished product that much more... Rare!


This dirndl is a great example of how piping can add a subtle detail, create a cohesive look and add a pop of color.

Cheshire Cat Dirndl

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Shop In Studio!

Approximately 1 year ago, plans for the Rare Dirndl Design Studio started to come about. It took a lot of time, creativity and patience... and its still not finished! The bathroom still needs to finished and there are little things here and there to be done to the main space before I can have an official grand opening weekend.

The afternoon shadow in the studio highlighting the address, 5051 N. Lincoln Ave

But that doesn't mean you can come and visit! I'm open by appointment only because Rare Dirndl is still a one woman show. If I need to run to the store, meet with my pattern makers or take a break for lunch, I can't leave the doors open. Also, probably the greatest part of my job is have the flexibility to run out at any time to help a friend, take my grandparents to the doctor & grocery shopping, or take a day to refocus and regroup my scatterbrain.

Inside the studio... still stuff to do 

I'm super excited to announce that Rare Dirndl now has a phone number! You can call anytime to schedule an appointment to come to shop, schedule a fitting, or simply see the space. You can also e-mail erika@erikaneumayer.com

The number is (312) 806-5099.

Its not up on the website because I'm also working on a re-design of my website with designer Greg Bandy

This picture was from July... Its here now!!

I look forward to hearing from you on my new line!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

It's My Golden Birthday!

Today is November 26th. And on this day in 1986, I was born, so today I turn 26.

Happy Golden Birthday!! Oh why thank you!

So today... simple... 26% off everything! Order anything online today get 26% back as a paypal refund within 24 hours. Dirndls, Men's Shirts, Sweaters, Sale Items... EVERYTHING!

I'm going to go enjoy my birthday by seeing my fabric rep and shop for fabric, then cutting some dirndl bodices for inventory and then having dinner with my family. Crab Legs!!!!!! So Excited!


So 26% off everything online to celebrate my golden birthday... and oh ya, cyber monday blah blah.

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

A Day to Give Thanks

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. When I was little it was simply because we celebrated my birthday on Thanksgiving and so I got presents!

My 5th Birthday! Loved Thanksgiving and PJ Sparkles!

However, now that I'm older, I love Thanksgiving because its a holiday just about family and friends and not about gifts, religion, or anyone in particular (even though my grandparents still bring me a card).

Not my best look, but its one of my favorite pictures! 

I have a lot to be thankful for, especially this year. I've moved from my parents dining room to my own studio and my business has grown and flourished. I am truly thankful that my family and friends have been so supportive of my crazy business venture. But I'm even more grateful for all of my loyal customers, followers and supporters.

Then

AND

Now

As a thank you gift, I am offering a Free Hobo Hat with any purchase of $80.00 or more on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! I'm not trying to trick you into buying my clothes, I am just genuinely grateful for my customers and so I'm offering one of my favorite new pieces as a gift.

Happy Thanksgiving from Rare Dirndl!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

A Dash of Morning Perspective

Lets back track to last night... I got an online order from Germany for a dirndl that I just sold last weekend, so I was a bit frustrated because now I didn't have the dirndl in stock. Christian then looks over at me and says "can't you make another one?" "well, ya... but". Then he says to me "Isn't getting online orders a good thing? You should be super excited!" He was right!!! DUH!! I've got this dirndl going to Germany, so I guess I'm going back to the sewing machine next week!

Red Piranha Dirndl

Now on to this morning, as I drive from my apartment to work (at my parents house) I'm listening to the Eric and Kathy 36hr Radiothon and I heard a story about a little boy with a malignant brain tumor who passed away in 1995. He would have been 19 this year. This story hit me because... I am 25, a designer and business owner, and I am having a Grand (ish) Opening this weekend of my own studio space, and in 1996, it could have been over.

In December of 1996 my parents called 911 during the night because I was having a seizure. After 2 MRIs and finding nothing, my pediatrician pushed for one more MRI... and there it was, a brain tumor. Only about the size of a marble, but when your 10yr old has a brain tumor, for my parents it didn't matter how big it was... only that it was there. After surgery in January of 1997, Dr. Ruge took out the tumor and it turned out to be benign. Besides some anti seizure meds and regular MRIs... that tumor had met its match. 

Playing Dr a few weeks after surgery

Listening to the stories on the radio this morning just got me thinking about how lucky I was and still am. I have worked so hard for what I have, but at the same time... those around me have supported me from the time I was (somewhat hairless) and making rocks into dolls with my hot glue gun, to today making modern edgy dirndls for people all over the world. People thought I was crazy then... well I haven't changed!

My latest crazy idea... from start to finish

This isn't about making you support the radiothon, this isn't to try and make you feel bad for me that I had a tumor, this is just me writing because I thought it was important for me to put it out into the universe that I am happy to be alive and so excited to invite everyone to see the studio this weekend. 

Happy German Day Weekend!!!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Grand (ish) Opening

This weekend is... GERMAN DAY!! German Day weekend in Chicago is 4 fabulous days of celebrating being German in Chicago and if you haven't noticed, I love being German! So this weekend I decided its about dang time we get some people over to see the new Studio/Boutique. However... you guessed it... its not finished.

So I'm calling it, The Rare Studio/Boutique Grand (ish) Opening. We are going to pop-up shop in the space on the sub-floor with photos of the transformation (so far) and some great products. You'll get to see a sneak peak at the Fall/Winter 2012 Collection, find out whats coming up for Rare and hang out amidst the construction! The address is 5051 N. Lincoln Ave. which is two doors north of Winnemac. From the fest grounds at Lincoln, Leland and Western, you would walk north on Western towards the McDonalds and turn onto Lincoln Ave. Its about another 5 minute walk from there and we are on the east side of the street (your right if you are walking up Lincoln from the fest). We will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-8pm.

Fall 2012!

It'll will be a fun way to see whats going on and then you'll still be surprised on the actual Grand Opening Weekend. "When's that?" - ya... good question! I have no idea. At this point I firmly believe that I need to take my time to ensure that its done right, I can't rush it.

Trying to "un-squeekify" the floor

Thank you all so very much for your support and patience. I look forward to seeing you all this weekend!!! P.S. We have a/c!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Flooring!

Back in January I bought flooring for the studio space because Lumber Liquidators was having a big new years sale... had I known that it would be august before we would lay the floor I would have waited, but oh well! Anyway... its that time! Walls are painted so its time to lay the floor... right? Wrong! First we need to level the floor, then cut out the area for the tiles (since the ceramic tiles are 1/4" and the other flooring is about 1/16") Thanks to my handy dandy daddy, we got it done!

Cutting out a section for the ceramic tile

Next we needed to put in more screws to the creaky squeaky sections. After that it was time to lay the subfloor. This will insure that there will be a very level, nice and clean surface to stick on the laminate tiles. So last night my dad and I cleaned the floor, glued the sheets and stapled it down! 

Yes, I am now the staple gun master!

We only got about half way through before it was 8:30 and time for some dinner. So my dad headed home, I cleaned up a bit and proceeded to have a nice bowl of cereal, Gotta have my Pops! Tonight, while I get my hair cut my dad said that he is going to bring my grandma over to "see the space" (and or help him finish the floor.)

Half way there!

I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful family and support system that is willing to help me with this project. I don't know where I would be without them and I can't wait until its finished and I can have a very special Friends and Family night for all of them to show my appreciation.

but until then, I always provide my helpers with the key ingredient to success,  a cold beer!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Coming Soon?

As the summer slips away is almost comical that my initial goal was to be open by June 1st! I definitely underestimated how long construction takes and how many things go into making such a simple space turn into a beautiful studio boutique. So what is going on?!

Here's the plan. We will be open for German Day, Sept 6-9 but it will not be finished. This is the busiest time of year and I just can't focus enough time to working on the space. The final goal is to be finished and working in the space by Thanksgiving. "But thats almost 3 months from now!" - Yes... it is, but there is no way I'm going rush the finishing of the space that I've put way to much time and money into. I'm going to take my time, do it right, and make it perfect. We will have a grand opening party sometime in the winter.

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Finished with the Facade!

Yesterday was very exciting because when I came home... the facade was finished! My little Bavarian style front is complete! Can't wait to put out a flower box next year... and maybe re-paint the shutters so they stand out a bit more. 

5051 N. Lincoln Ave!

 The inside is ready for some paint and finishing! Before the German Day Festivities, the floor will be finished, walls and ceiling painted and some custom cabinetry will be installed by the front window. I've decided (along with my studio/boutique contracting advisor... aka dad) that those three things will take the entire month of August to complete considering he has a full time job and I still have orders to fill. I'm very excited about the space and have come to terms with the fact that it is realistically going to take until 2013 to complete.

Facing Lincoln Ave

Looking in from the front door. 

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Studio Boutique Update

Not much to report... this week was pretty quiet. Lights are going to be put in next week and then I believe its our turn to get to work; starting with the ceiling.

The facade has also not changed at all this week, but it sure did change last week! I'm very excited to see the beginning of the Bavarian style store front. 

5051 N. Lincoln Ave

Everyday, people ask me, "So when is the studio going to be ready?" "When is the grand opening?" and the truth is... I have no idea. The contractor said that the interior was going to be complete last week and the facade this week, but its not. So I can't gage when its going to be ready, plus I don't know how fast I'll be working either... I've never laid tile in my life, so it may take me a little while.

I'm hoping for an August opening, but we shall see... we shall see. 

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

1,2,3... DRYWALL

So excited to see the space last Thursday... because it looked like this! Even more excited about it because there was nothing there on Wednesday. It's starting to come together and I couldn't be happier.

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Coming soon to Lincoln Square!

Thanks the wonderful people at the DANK Haus for graciously welcoming Rare Trachtenwear to the Lincoln Square Neighborhood by offering their windows to us for the month of June!

To kick off the Maifest May 31st - June 3rd, we put up some of our most sought after pieces in the DANK Haus's new windows!

Men's New Polo and Bundhosen with the Sunflower Dirndl

Bringing some pops of bright colors to the night life of the fabulous Lincoln Square!

Rainforest Queen Couture Gown

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Looking more like a store and less like a crack house

For a while there the front of the studio was completely boarded up and very uninviting, however... as of Saturday... we've got fabulous new aluminum windows and a very professional door! I'm so excited!! Its all starting to come together and the contractor said that the interior should be complete by the end of next week and the exterior the week after!

Front of the New Studio Boutique as of June 2nd

Looking out the new windows!

That means my job comes in... To save some money I've opted to do all the finishing myself meaning, floors, painting, fixtures etc. And what I have in mind is going to take me some time... serious time. But I've got a week to prepare, so time to get back to work... dirndls don't sew themselves. (but that would be really sweet)

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Sunday's Maifest Daily Deal

Today is Sunday, which means its the last day of Maifest and the last of the Maifest Daily Deals. We are going to end this little sale with something for the men! The Beige and Red Plaid Trachtenshirt is imported stretch cotton short sleeve shirt with red plaid details and metal edelweiss buttons.

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

Saturday's Maifest Daily Deal

Today's deal is the Forest Dirndl! Its a beautiful floor length satin dirndl with scoop neckline, gold chain lace up bodice and green multi semi sheer apron. This elegant piece is regularly $375.00 but today only it can be yours for $275.00! It is availanble in brown (pictured here) and black. We only have sizes 8, 10, 14, and 16 in each color.

To order, e-mail customerservice@erikaneumayer.com with your name, size, mailing address and phone number and say you want Saturday's daily deal!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here  

HalllooooOOoo.... ?! Anybody Here?!

The past week was relatively uneventful for the studio boutique. Not exactly sure what the hold up is, but I'm sure there is a very reasonable explanation. There were a few changes, the most noticeable of these being that the front is... well... gone! On Saturday, someone e-mailed me saying they noticed lots of work being done and I was very surprised. All week I would stop by and look around.. HallooOOOoo?! Anyone Here?! nope... nada...

Where has the front gone? Oh, in the dumpster.

But the big window in the bathroom is bricked up! Thats new.

k; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="" />

The biggest work was the installation of a new I-beam. Now that the beam is installed and the store front won't fall in on itself, we can get back to work... hopefully.

Yay! I-beam! (its the long maroon beam near the ceiling)

Side note: as it being May 23rd, and the studio boutique looks like this... Opening weekend will NOT be June 1st-3rd. I'll keep you posted on the date because... well... I have no idea when it will be. (less stress for me if I just go with the flow and not try to plan things)

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here