Ann Williamson

Handmade Designer Women's Apparel

applique

Out on Their Own

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A last look at a few of the pieces I brought to the Smithsonian and the American Craft Made shows.

Like this jacket, a shorter version of the coat we used for the ‘Pink’ video. This fabric came from a very long sleeved, formal kimono. Those traditional kimonos are like western ball gowns. They’re perfect for a special occasion, but maybe not so good for daily life. Fantastic when you want to wear a dramatic and beautiful piece of clothing.

My good fortune, when it’s time to retire it as a wearable kimono, the long sleeves make for a lot more fabric. Plenty for a long coat and a jacket.

The front.

The back.

Enough for a coat, a jacket and some leftover scraps for a few scarves. ‘Mottainai,’ waste nothing!

Can you see, in the picture below, the pieces of the same fabric? The grey leaf like shapes? And part of a green flower towards the center top. At the bottom, a sliver of dark mahogany petals.

The last bits of this gorgeous fabric, this scarf, ‘Blush Ume,’ is still available, check it out here.

A shawl collar coat, this one called ‘Streams.’ Sewn from two gorgeous kimono silks, two different versions of a flowing water design.

Appliquéd small squares, laid out as though they were tumbling through the water.

The squares were cut from the same kimono silk I used for the facing and the under the collar. A gorgeous deep, deep teal/green silk scattered with little odd shapes and dots.

Lastly, a beaded, so very cool, woven scribble design in a pretty pale pink color.

I used black beads to toughen it up and give it a bit of attitude.

Onward! I’ll finish up some special orders, then start the process all over again.

This is what I do; make stuff, show it, send it off. It’s a pretty good life!

A Little Light

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There are some frightening things going on. The war in Ukraine is beyond upsetting. It’s challenging to focus and think about pretty things. I’m on the other side of the world from the people who live there and cannot imagine their terror. My heart goes out to all Ukrainians, their families and loved ones.

I do what little I can and then turn to my work. I cut and sew, piece and stitch, and make things with the hope that they might somehow bring a little light to the darkness.

With that in mind, I’m posting pictures of some of my more recent pieces. Three jackets finished and ready to be shown at the Smithsonian Craft Show, April 20-24.

A new jacket, inspired by this beautiful black kimono silk with a woven, gold cherry blossom design. I’ve added gold appliquéd squares and beads.

I highlighted the design with the beads, trying to keep them at a minimum so as to not distract. Then I added the appliquéd squares to balance out the patterns.

The back. Depending on how the light hits, the gold glimmers between a total gold and a subtle green.

I think I’ve mentioned,… that I love these fabrics. I see the evidence of the human hands that made them. I save all the little leftovers from every project, then use them in new.

A jacket, pieced from the remainders from a couple of projects, including the first jacket in this post.

I enjoy the process of laying out the pieces, balancing the colors and patterns. This one used fabrics from two different kimonos, each with its own family crest. You can see one of them below.

And the second one in the center of the back.

Lastly, from a gorgeous kimono silk with an oh so cool woven pattern of river rock shapes.

A few of the amoeba-like shapes had little pink dots around them, I added beads around all the others.

A detail for an up close view.

And the back.

These and others will have their first viewing at the Smithsonian Craft Show, this April.

I am so looking forward to being there and seeing my friends and customers, old and new!

Holidays, Scarves, Coats and Jackets.

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Here we go! First up, the holidays. They are on their way. And soon!

If you don’t believe me, how about this? It’s the American Craft magazine’s holiday issue. And right there are my scarves. It’s a great way to send out a reminder that I am still around. And my work. And my scarves!

Here in my studio, my table is over flowing with projects. Some are ready to start, some in process and some ready to be sewn up and finished.

Lots going on because, my big news, I’ll be participating in two in-person shows in 2022. One of my favorites, in February, the ACC Baltimore show.

And the second, a great honor, the spring time Smithsonian Show in April. After this long year and a half, [or was it more? 2 years? 5? a lifetime?] I am beyond happy that I have shows coming up. Can’t wait.

So, two big shows needing new work. A good thing!

Making new work, it’s always the same, the first step, I have to figure out what I want to do. Sometimes it’s quick and easy. Other times, a bit slower. For the kimono silk in the photo below, I wanted to make a jacket that highlighted the gorgeous pattern. I spent some time working out how to make that happen. I laid out beads and cut fabric circles, fabric squares, big beads and little beads. It went like this, the uppity design nerd in my head was shouting, “NO! Not good. Nope. Not quite. Do not do that! I mean really. Come on. Try again. A little better. This might work. OK,… I think …. I’ll say yes..” It’s always good when I can sooth Madam Design Nerd. She is so fussy…..

Below, a photo of my final design, everything laid out, beads and appliqué squares, sitting in place. No bumping! Or everything would shift and roll away. I took this photo to help me remember the final plan.

Below, another beading project, this one a bit further along. The light colored dots are beads.

It’s 1/2 half the jacket’s back. Done! Next, other back half, front, sleeves and collar.

Meanwhile, as we move towards the holidays, I’ll continue to add to my web-shop with new pieces going up this week. A link to my web-shop.

I am sending all my happy Thanksgiving wishes to you! And so many grateful thanks for taking the time to read my blog!