Out to the Woodshed--the Outfit

They say the clothes make the man/woman.  Well, all I know is that to be a Handy Andy you have to have the right outfit.  Tommy Smothers still sings, "You see by my outfit that I am a cowboy (Handy Andy). If you get an outfit, you can be a cowboy (Handy Andy), too."  So I've paid careful attention to the attire needed to build a woodshed and am willing to share the details with you if you are also going to build one.  If you just want to pretend you did, the pants alone will do, and fine elements of this part of the outfit are covered in the post of 10/8/11, "Wearing the Pants."

Corner of handkerchief button on the collar.

Designer belt to hold the tool pouch!
I knew it would be good for something one day.

My nose really gets into the act and demands attention constantly when I'm plarking in the yard, so the first item is a handkerchief (tissues don't work with gloves and tools).  It needs to be available right up where it is used (remember the rule of organization), and dropping it in the mud (Oregon has mud) is not done.  Just button the corner of that baby right into the collar button hole and tuck the chief into your buzzoom.  Always handy, never dropped.



I just acquired a tool pouch (gift from my sister's cast-off pile), but it lacks a belt.  My waist has grown along with my interest in woodworking, and the only leather belt I could find was a fancy-pants woven one.  Since I seldom wear it for anything else, dedicating it to keeping my tools on the hip seemed perfect.






Along with moving forward on the woodshed project the Things I get to do today will surely include keeping the tool belt from migrating all around my hips, making it nearly impossible to bend over (contents spill on to the ground) and hiking up under my shirt.

Before

After

Again, I look to my consultant husband for guidance.  My style has been to use my work shirt as a light-weight jacket, tails flapping (though I was told it was unsafe).  My husband always tucks his shirt in, neat and snug. So I tried it:  T-shirt and work shirt stuffed deep into the brown pants, buttoned and zipped. Amazing.  Now I have belt loops. Position that tool belt, slip the belt part through one belt loop, and all is secured.  No more tool drift.

Hair secured. Handy Andy hat on.  Ready to roll.
Get a decent hammer, for Pete's sake!

Always, if you're female, always wear makeup when you are woodworking.  Can't tell you why, but the project always goes better.

Finally, the hair.  You can see from my profile picture that the hair is tied back and out of the way in a no-nonsense style. Curls falling forward into one's line of vision or little drifting hairs floating up your nose while you are getting exact measurements will not do.  And get a good hat.