A new jacket with a design inspired by the swirling, concentric circles on the skirt.
I love the kimono silk of the skirt, it’s so beautiful! Originally it was made to go with a jacket that sold soon after, leaving the skirt behind.
This time around it’s about color, the gold and purple with a, not yet made, orange blouse to go under.
A close up, showing all the skinny bias tubes pinned in place on my board.
An even closer view, after the tubes were basted in place.
Next up? Hand stitch each in place.
Sewing all day, lost in designs and colors, I’m so thankful I can spend my days doing what I love.
I am sending wishes that each and everyone of you can fill your days with the people and projects that you love.
Happy Thanksgiving!
applique
Big Collar
A very big, snuggly collar to wrap around your shoulders,
it’s destined for a mid-length, loose and comfortable coat.
The picture below shows squares of silk pinned in place, ready to be basted and then appliquéd.
The silks I used for the squares are leftovers from this pieced jacket sewn from an old kimono with traditional images of cranes, pine trees, cherry blossoms and persimmons.
I saved every little scrap of this gorgeous fabric, just enough for appliqués for the coat collar.
I love how the images become abstracted after they’re cut into little pieces. They are no longer a crane or a pine tree, but have been deconstructed into unrecognizable shapes and patterns.
Sitting inside hand stitching on a cold and blustery day, the radio on, a cup tea by my side, not a bad way to spend my time. Not bad at all.
Little Red Squares
A new jacket for the ACC San Francisco show. August 3, 4 and 5.
I’ve shown you this project at various stages, first as a concept, then as a appliqué project and now, finally, a finished jacket.
It took a while, those little squares were fussy. I spent many hours hand appliquéing each one…
Some fell into place with no complaint, others would not sit still and did interpretive dance across the base.
Now, finally, after all that wrangling, each square sits complacently in its spot, as though that’s where it always wanted to be.
Come to the San Francisco show and see this girl in person!