Ann Williamson

Handmade Designer Women's Apparel

beading

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!

Applique and Beaded Jacket

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Finished! A jacket I started at the beginning of the year. Many hours of hand stitching skinny bias strips. Followed by more hours sewing little glass beads.

A detail of the front.

I was working on this one, basting the bias strips in place, last February when we had our ice storm and power outage. I was bundled in wool, sweaters, parkas, knit cap and fingerless gloves with a blanket over my knees as I basted the strips in place. See the magnetic flashlight attached to my light? As the sun went down, I could still see enough to continue sewing.

A thank you to Lee who, after my post, recommended a good, inexpensive head lamp. Next time I’ll be even more prepared. [argh,…. please,…. no next time!]

All surfaces covered with appliqués and beads. Because, if you’re going to do it and it’s a pandemic and you have all the time in the world, why not?

I always have a piece of hand work at the ready for netflix and amazon movies and documentaries, PBS mystery series, YouTube videos about renovating French chateaus, you name it, I’m there, needle in hand.

The back.

At first, I think, ‘this will never get done!’ But, as days, then weeks, then months go by, eventually, it happens. The last stitch and the last bead is sewn in place.

And it’s on to the next project!

Keeping Busy

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A couple weeks ago we had the craziest, most awful, heat wave. 113 degrees said my phone, but the official temperature was 116.

I mean. Absolutely, no question, it was way too hot. It was like being in an oven. Above 100 is very rare here, so above 110? Just not ok.

So I stayed inside, hiding from the heat. AC blasting away, fans blowing. The silver lining? I had time to finish some projects.

Like this two layer coat. I’d shown pictures of it in process, it is now finished. A sheer layer of appliquéd and beaded strips over another coat appliquéd with more waving strips.

And, below, a pieced and beaded coat, in different textured white kimono silks, with white and cream pearl beads sewn along the seam lines.

Right now, I don’t have full-length shots of these pieces, only these snapshots. I’m holding out for professional photos. As soon as I have some taken, I’ll be sure and post them.

Next up, on my wall, little square appliqués pinned onto what will be a collar for a new Shawl Collar coat.

I wanted to disrupt the evenness of the dot pattern fabric that I used for the base, so I chose a meisen kimono silk with a graphic design that fractured into odd shapes when cut into smaller pieces.

Below, my process. I cut the fabric into strips, turn under two sides, then cut those strips into smaller pieces and fold the two remaining raw edges under. Voila! Little squares with no raw edges.

After the pieces are pinned onto the base fabric, I lay it out on my table so I can baste them in place.

Below, basted and ready to be hand stitched.

I’m now onto another applique piece. You can see it behind the first picture at the top. It’s a black kimono silk with waving red and white lines. I’m adding my appliquéd red strips between the printed ones. Can you see them? Behind the coat, on the left side of the picture, a piece of the silk as it came. Next to it, red strips pinned in place.

Stay tuned.