Handmade designer clothing | Ann's blog | Ann Williamson, Portland OR

Beginning-Middle-End

August 7, 2022 8 Comments

Here in my studio there is lots going on. I have pieces started, pieces in process and pieces finished. It’s my favorite situation. It can be overwhelming when I am finished with all my projects and it’s time to start something brand new. The sky is open and anything is an option. Where to start? It’s easier when I’m on a roll. I can walk into my studio and start right up where I left off. I continue with what I’ve been working on, bask in the accomplishment of what is finished and let my mind wander to think about new projects I’d like to do.

For example, right now, I have new, in process and just finished projects.

Below, a jumble of fabrics, the beginnings of new scarves.

Scarves are a perfect for in-between projects. I have the basic formula down, so the initial figuring out is done. But the finished design is not set so there is plenty room for creativity. All the possible variations of colors and shapes leave more than enough room for creativity. My mind gets lost in all the possibilities.

Also, up on my wall, a new coat with bias tube strips pinned in place. This is the front, next I’ll baste the strips and then hand stitch them down.

The bias strips in the black and white coat above, are leftovers from the jacket below, a special order, placed by a customer who wanted a different size from the original.

I’m right in the middle of the hand stitching. You can see my needle next to the black strip, as I hand sew it in place with tiny pick stitches.

Next up with this one, I’ll sew beads along the edges of the strips.

And one that is finished! This purple crane coat just sent to its new home. I’m pleased with how it turned out. A gorgeous silk from a very special kimono.

There were enough leftovers of the purple crane fabric to make scarves. Check them out at my web shop here. ‘Purple Cranes and Fans’ and ‘Purple Cranes,’

I hope you’re having a great summer, keeping cool and happy. And just busy enough, not too much, not too little.

Neon Bright

July 24, 2022 2 Comments

Do you do this? You’re out for a walk, lost in your head and thinking about everything else besides what is right in front of you? And then something catches your attention and suddenly you’re right there, in the moment, noticing what all along has been right in front of you.

That happened to me the other day. I was out on one of my walks, same streets, same houses, yards, plants, trees, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a crocosmia snapped me back to the present.

It was so bright. Crazy bright. An insane neon orange/red bright. It was a snap out of it, pay attention and notice me bright.

I took a picture.

After that, I was paying attention. To all the colors around me. There were so many super bright flowers. I’d been walking right by them, they had been right there in my field of vision, but I hadn’t really ‘seen’ them.

Like these little lovelies.

It was an overcast day, that might have helped to pump up the colors.

This pink. Some of the couture designers have been using this pink color in their latest collections. Here it is. Right in someone’s front yard.

Rich, deep, saturated, use whichever adjective you prefer to describe these colors.

How about neon or fluorescent? Super bright. Shield your eyes bright.

Yellow! Not a pale, subtle, quiet yellow. This is the real deal yellow.

Something I didn’t notice until I looked closely at this photo. Can you see it? An ant on one of the petals. Just like a northern European renaissance still life painting, with an insect or two sitting on or next to the flowers and fruit.