Threads Article

Hi all...

I'm excited to say that I have an article in the current issue of Threads. It is on Facing Alternatives.

It should be on the news stands now.

A Funny Thing Happened in the Bathroom!

A few weeks ago, in Santa Fe, I walked into the Ladies Room at the International Folk Museum. A woman was standing at the sink, and she was wearing this great top! So, I couldn't resist, and had to comment. The next thing I know, Sue Dean (from New York), and I are chatting up a storm, and she's allowing me to take photos (including details) of her top.



Thanks Sue... we'll see how I use it in an upcoming project.



Note the details.

Bicycle: Who Owns This One? Is it a unique design?

On a theme of bicycles, I have been taking photos. I figure this one was owned by Salvador Dali. Ya think?

High Tech in Florence

Ok.... here is how it goes. You go to Florence with your friends to attend a yarn trend show... and then, you go to the Duomo. What a magnificent building.
And then... one of your friends realizes.... There is WIFI.

So much for sight seeing...

Here you have Carol Scott (Chicago), Ginger Luters (Grass Valley, CA), and Ruth Lantz (Columbus OH).

Day in Santa Fe with Retreat Group

Last Friday, our Retreat Group spent the day in Santa Fe. We begin with a group shot.









First we visited the Santa Fe Opera, where we were given a back-stage tour. The best part was the Costume Collection.

Next, we went to Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, a wearable art store in downtown Santa Fe. Below you see the owners, Jill (right) and Barbara (center), and their trusted staff person, Adele (left).


And now... you see our Retreat members having fun trying the amazing clothing on! These garments are handmade by artists around the world.

Santa Fe Weaving Gallery
124 Galisteo Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501-2124
(505) 982-1737
www.santafeweavinggallery.com






After lunch, we went to the Museum of International Folk Art, where we saw an exhibit called "Material World". It was great!
Museum of International Folk Art
On Museum Hill
706 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-1200
www.internationalfolkart.org

Missoni on a Bike?

Walking down a street in Verona this summer, I saw this woman coming out of the Post Office.
It sure looks like a Missoni dress to me!

Garment Designer Retreat, New Mexico

We have just concluded the second annual Garment Designer Retreat in New Mexico. It was amazing. I had an absolute great group of women attend, and we all learned a lot.

Below, you can see the group:
Front Row, L>R: Rebecca (MN), Debbie (AZ), Ruth (NM), Cindy (IL)
Back Row, L>R: Susan(CA), Sherri (CO), Kanella (IL), Jill (CA), Maureen (TX), Diana (MI), Sue (PA), Molly (CA)


Here are a few more shots of the Casa del Gavilan, the Inn we stay at (and take over), as well as some shots of our Retreat in process.




More to come...

A Couture Pooh Bear Top

I just love when Garment Designer software users share their projects with me. A few days ago, I received an email and an image from Mary Jane Svenson. It warmed my heart to read her story, so I wanted to share it with those who read this blog.

Thanks Mary Jane for giving permission.. Here is what she emailed:

I returned from HGA where I purchased Garment Designer after taking the workshop and have been reading my manual with highlighter in hand! This Sat. morning my Grandson brought his bear to me and asked me to make him a shirt. We measured him together and I made a sloper and then a shirt pattern. While he attended a soccer game I cut it out and sewed it up on my serger. I sent him a picture of Pooh bear on his Dad's phone. He was so excited to get "such a perfect shirt" for his bear. The software is incredible! Mary Jane

Now.. for the fun of it, I thought you might like to see what Pooh Bear's measurements are:



and here is an image of one of the pattern pieces of the shirt!!


thanks again Mary Jane for sharing such a precious story!
Susan

Organizing, Part 2: A Helpful Tool

OK... the Organizing Challenge continues. My garage has improved, but I am still not ready to share photos.

Instead, to keep you entertained, let me share a great device and software product with you. I have used it to inventory most of my books.

I have invested in a little hand scanner device and software by called Collectorz. This enables me to scan the bar codes on my book, and then hook up to my computer, and upload the information into a database program. This then goes out to the internet and finds the information about the book, and feeds the information into the database.

I actually own three of their database products.
Book Collector
Music Collector
Movie Collector
I think I purchased everything, including the scanner for well under $200. I did this a couple of years ago. I now see on their site that there are less expensive scanners than mine.

I inventoried all movie DVD's on Sunday in just a few hours (most of which was spent tidying, organizing, and alphabatizing.

Here is a sample of what the database looks like.



As you can see, I know where they are, and I can see if I have loaned them to anyone.

Next... to get the I-phone app, so that I have my list with me at the store.

Themes... and Amore

One of the ways I continue to push myself, is to develop 'themes of study'. For example, I will decide that I am no longer going to sew a standard facing.. (at least for six months), and this forces me to look at ready-to-wear with eyes and mind that are ready to learn. You will soon see an article in Threads magazine (the October issue) that I wrote with four alternate-to-facings techniques.

This summer, one of my photography themes was 'bicycles'. I was constantly on the watch for them, as a subject to photograph.

So... here is a pair of photos... a front and back view.
I call this set Amore (love). The Italian man who caught me taking the photo looked at me as if I were crazy. I simply looked back at him, and said one simple word... Amore.
He smiled, and nodded. He 'got it'.

Designer Fabric in Verona

In early July my Retreat group visited Manegazzi Tessuti (a fabric store) in Verona. Paola and her mother Daniela spent time with our group, sharing various Designer fabrics with us. We were able to see Valentino, Chanel, Missoni, Pucci, Etro, etc.

Menegazzi Tessuti
Via Tazzoli Don Enrico, 14
37121 Verona (VR), Italy
+39 045 596780
menegazzitess@lliber.it

What was best, was that we could see runway images of the fabrics in use by the designers. I was completely surprised by a few of the fabrics, and how seeing them in a garment changed the way I felt about them.
To the right you can see Judy trying 'on' fabric by Etro. Below, the store owner Paola is assisting her.






The fabric below is Etro. Judy, didn't you buy this??



This is Chanel fabric, and I KNOW Judy bought this piece, as I was eyeing it also.

To the right below, is the Missoni fabric I bought.

Look at the mess we made.. ah, but it was such fun.



Thank you Paola... we'll see you next summer!