The name Sonia Delaunay is synonymous with kaleidoscopic colours and prismatic designs that seem to splinter, shift and dance before our eyes. In a 60 year long career, her daring, vivid Simultaneisme encompassed paintings, textiles, fashion design, costume and interiors, making her one of the greatest pioneers of the Modernist era. While history has favoured…
Sonia Delaunay: Wearable Art
Deep shades of indigo like Japanese Blue were a potent tool in the arsenal of much-loved 19th century Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, a means of investing dark, brooding shadows into his atmospheric woodblock prints. From the cavernous depths of gushing waterfalls to the timeless silhouette of Mount Fuji, he layered this entrancing shade of darkness…
A few years ago, I started to play with quilting clothes. The first few pieces turned out less than ideal. I didn’t know the paths to avoid the foibles of quilting. But after a few playful experiments and failed garments, things started to fall into place. I’ve put together this tutorial to share the things…
In Hannah Hoch’s collage wonderland anything is possible; men’s faces sprout wings and chase primeval monsters, broken artefacts assemble into beasts and women’s bodies are cut apart and left to float in space. She wrote: “…there are no limits to the materials available for pictorial collages – above all they can be found in photography,…
Most people usually say their favorite holiday is Christmas. Occasionally, you’ll hear someone claim New Year’s Eve, some may say Thanksgiving… but mine is Valentine’s Day, without a doubt. All the pinks and reds, laces and ruffles, themed treats and gifts; it’s so much fun! As a maker, I find myself always looking for opportunities…
Do you ever see a designer dress or RTW (ready to wear) style that you fall in love with? Do you follow that love with “I could make that”? My toxic trait is always saying “I can make that.” “I’ll just sew that up for myself.” Or even worse, telling my sister when we are…
Pioneering early 20th century Viennese designer Emilie Flöge is perhaps best known as the recurring muse to Secessionist painter Gustave Klimt. He painted her as a dazzling vision adorned in glittered clothing, all flushed lips and raven hair, staring out at us with strident self-confidence. The pair lived and worked together so closely that their…
The lovebirds – a most addictive little sewing project. They require just a few simple supplies and a quiet afternoon or evening. This tiny project can be used for a variety of purposes, the first being a Valentine’s gift for any age, especially when given as a pair. As a pretty gift topper tied under…
Ya’ll, I don’t know what has gotten into me since moving to the Pacific Northwest, but all I want to wear is fun clothes. It feels like every outing is brimming with the excitement of exploring a new city and therefore, a cause for celebration. And while there are definitely fashionable people in Arkansas who…
A good dress is a must in my closet. I absolutely love how dynamic dresses are and I must admit I had so much fun draping this beauty. It was my first time working with this type of sheer linen. I found it very easy to create and sew with. Also, it is so beautiful!…
If you’ve ever stepped away from a sewing project and given yourself a little pat on the back or a mental high five because you were so proud of the project, then you understand why I’m smiling! I am in love with this project and feel inspired to make a few more variations for future…
We get many questions on fabric weight. If you’re trying to comprehend this, you are not alone! The weight of the fabric is measured in ounces per yard or meter: approximately 2-4oz for lightweight, 4-8oz for middleweight and 8-14oz for heavy weight. This chart would be very helpful as well and includes information on changing…
Do you think about your relationship with clothes? What about how they can change you and your perspective on things? Personally, the act of sewing has completely changed my relationship with clothing and how I wear them. Reflecting back on the last few months, where I have focused most of my time and energy on…
I love linen. I’m not paid to say that, it’s just one of my all time favourite summer-time fabrics. And over the years I’ve collected a bunch of tried and true patterns which are perfect for linen and which make up the majority of my summer capsule collection. You might even recognise a few from…
Legendary, charismatic textile artist Nike Davies-Okundaye has led a live that is as colourful and eventful as her art. Now recognised as one of Nigeria’s foremost textiles artists, she has spent the last five decades successfully invigorating the traditional techniques of batik and adire, merging them with shimmering passages of embroidery and intricate patchworks loaded…
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