Surprise Posting

 I was surprised to see my "In the Weeds" quilt show up on Instagram to highlight a workshop June 15-19  for the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville, Washington. I love teaching there, and I'm thinking that I need to emphasize printing for wearables because we're going big and bold, of course!

Strong Clothes

How people dress continues to intrigue me. This shirt/coat was a commercial purchase, but the flair and drama it holds -- as well as the entire outfit -- had me remembering to use that strong contrast in other prints, or sets of motifs. Photo from a textile fair in California in early November. Bag is New Yorker's.

 

Fashion Finds

Friday's Beyond Fashion show at RIT brought out the textile lovers. The after 'party', held to honor one of the designers, left no one shy about demanding what, how, where garments were all about. I love this gathering, one for enthusiasts who care about garment history, and show it with what they're wearing. 

Shirt Weather

A few days after summer's heat and it's still shirt weather. This is from the last show at the Textile Workshop and Museum by Will Stokes, Jr. pigment on cotton sateen, 1978. A long-time artist with the TWM, he passed recently. More https://www.phillytrib.com/obituaries/will-stokes-jr-celebrated-printmaker-and-figurative-artist-dies-at-69/article_0c0a2246-4140-57ef-8c7c-07221aecd193.html
 

Off It Goes

In the state of  'disperse the wealth' I gave away a printed vest I'd made for the RIT fashion show this past winter. It looked perfect for her, and that it might see daylight more than in my workspace, was bonus. I still want to put together a "Printing for Wearables" class, someday someday.
 

Scarf VS Shirt

I've two one yard pieces of crepe di chine that were tagged for scarves, but wouldn't it be fun to use as a shirt? Lord knows I've a few more things to get finished before I try more garments, but I can maybe move this up the list a bit, can't I?
 

Dry Run

Yes, I've been engrossed in this fashion project, but it is making me pay attention to what and how I print. These two quick scenes give you an idea of how large this sound stage is and the need to overdo the impact of the works. No small jewelry, no sweet small prints. We've still to work out the details. 
 

That Hunk of Silk

The gifted silk organza became a 'skirt' and attachable sleeves. The skirt has a 3' opening at the front, and a modest train behind. I don't think I've ever used organza before, and can't say I'd be eager to again. But the effect is nice. Thursday is our dress rehearsal for Friday's show. I'm a buttonhole away from finished.
 

Fork It

I'm putting banding on the sleeve for this simple vest. I've even added a fork patch on the front to match the skirt that will be with it. Bonus, I got to sew while watching 'Grand Design' on my gifted Britbox channel. So, life is good.
 

Are We Having Fun Yet?

It's my third week of making these garments. Thankful to have some help from a friend, I'm still woefully behind. And I don't have the talent to do the finish work well, so I have to say, I'm looking forward to bedtime and a fresh start tomorrow. Here's the scene I've left in the studio. Might talk behind my back.

 

Progress on Short Jacket

Yesterday was a day to construct the short jacket. I knew that the inside of the quilted fabric would show up in the collar, so I placed the top of the front where I knew it would catch the patterning underneath. I've got a pocket located with a yellow patch and a split cuff. There was a lot of edge finishing work to do.
 

What Instagra Adds

A post I follow is about conserving and reusing textiles for garments and functional works. Here she is pointing out the no-waste construction for a shirt / coat pattern that must be ancient. I made a paper tryout, and would love to use quilted or printed fabric like the example of mine in lower right. 
 

What to Do With Your Prints

Thank you, Wendy, for bringing in your dress. She made the fabric in a January workshop, and is now working out new fabric ideas this week in Santa Fe. It's different teaching in person from virtually, and I have to say I love both. And, yes, it was rather nice to see this work in person. Hands down.
 

In Case You Missed It

Images from the RIT fashion show are trickling in on IG, and this one really does say it all. That's the coat I made, and we wanted this rather soft spoken man to "show it off," so I gave him an umbrella which he opened to punctuate the stop. One of the few times I heard the audience applaud and laugh. 
 

Finish Line

I've slapped on my shirt the motif I've printed for several of the dresses in tomorrow's fashion show. Today's dress rehearsal was a high, with every model looking fabulous, kind, and very excited to play a part. It is amazing to have made these pieces, and a great challenge for me.
 

Multiples

There is good in making something over and over. I've gotten used to attaching this collar, and figured out how to finish the edges on this vest. I just need a button or so, perhaps a pocket. Always a pocket! 
 

Bindings for Something Else

[yes, a day late -- oops, forgot to hit "publish"] Binding detail on a little vest made with the quilted fabric shows that you can indeed use those hard leaned techniques for other than quilts. I've even resurrected a bound buttonhole as well. In a casual style, for the Beyond Fashion show this December 8 at RIT. 
 

A Look (at the) Back

Apparel is seen three dimensionally, so that if I wanted to see my garment work, I'd have to put it on someone or something other than me. A distinct disadvantage. So a studio neighbor agreed to try it on so that I could attest to the piece's structure. 
 

Patterns

I've taken an oversized blouse from Flax and made a pattern of polyester stuff (I wish I knew the name!,) which I like because I can see through it to place the print. Weighed down with a magnetic knife holder, that is my pin blob, I use my rotary cutter to cut the pattern piece.
 

New Life for this Dress

My daughter snagged an all cotton dress for cheap and asked me to change its color. It was a dull beige; she picked some kind of red. I tied it and dyed it, but it still needed graphics. So, soda soak and print. She's happy, and it's off my list.