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Ann Williamson

Handmade Designer Women's Apparel

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kimono silk

Out on Their Own

June 18, 2022 Leave a Comment

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!

Smithsonian Show! Coming Up!

April 10, 2022 4 Comments

Here we go! I can hardly believe it. April 20 – 24 is almost here. I’ll be packing my suitcases and heading to Washington DC in one week! After over two long years, exhibiting at an in-person show is a very big deal.

I have a lot of new work that I’ll be bringing. For example, this pieced jacket I started in January. It’s sewn from left over scraps from other projects. Here it is finished and ready for its close up.

Piecing on the sleeves too, a side-view.

I love the deep blues and bits of bright, the colors of an early evening, night sky.

The back.

Below, two kimono silks that compliment each other, pieced together in various widths. Although the strips are laid out horizontally, their ‘mis-match’ at the center emphasizes the vertical.

I sewed beads along the seams to add a little pizazz.

Years ago, my friend Junko gave me a kimono sewn from this fabric, a gorgeous silk brocade. Sometimes I like to let a fabric sit and age awhile, like a fine wine. This one waited patiently until now. Such a beautiful design! Wow! It’s woven with gold peony flowers and peacocks. Can you see the peacock tail feathers on the sleeves and center front?

The back, a peacock in plain view.

Thank You Junko for this amazing silk!

I have more coats and jacket finished and ready to go.

If you are anywhere near Washington DC, I hope you’ll come by to see them all!

Gift of Time

January 30, 2022 Leave a Comment

Because the Baltimore show was cancelled, instead of one week to get ready for the next show, I have eleven. Not a bad thing, not bad at all. Eleven more weeks for new work.

I’ve got a number of pieces going, including this new pieced jacket. I’m starting with scraps and leftovers from previous projects, including tiny bits of bright turquoise. It was such a gorgeous piece, I saved even the smallest scraps.

And a new beading project. I love the way the black beads add an edgy quality to the pretty pink jacquard. This is on its way to becoming a jacket. It’s one side of the the front, now onto the back, sleeves and collar.

11 weeks! That gave me enough time to take apart several kimonos and ready them for their next life. Each one of these beautiful silks has a traditional Japanese design; chrysanthemums, criss-crossing blades of grass, swirling streams and bold peony flowers. Gorgeous.

I’ll finish these and others in plenty time for the Smithsonian Show, April 20 – 24.

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Upcoming Events

Baltimore American Craft Show 2022

Friday May 20, 10am – 6p
Saturday May 21, 10am – 6pm
Sunday May 22, 11am – 5pm
Baltimore Convention Center
1 West Pratt St.

https://www.craftcouncil.org/show/season/american-craft-made-baltimore

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Beaded, Japanese kimono silk jacket. Close up deta Beaded, Japanese kimono silk jacket. Close up detail.
#annwilliamson
ACC Baltimore American Craft Made show, now thro ACC Baltimore 
American Craft Made show, 
now through Sunday
See you there! - booth 217
@craftcouncil 
#americancraftmadebaltimore 
#annwilliamson
Pieced Japanese kimono silk jacket. On its way to Pieced Japanese kimono silk jacket.
On its way to the 
ACC American Craft Made 
Baltimore Craft show- at the Baltimore convention center. 
Starts this Friday, May 20- through Sunday, May 22
Booth 217
@craftcouncil 
#americancraftmadebaltimore 
Craftcouncil.org
#annwilliamson
Pieced and beaded Japanese kimono silk jacket. Re Pieced and beaded Japanese kimono silk jacket. 
Ready for the ACC American Craft Made Baltimore show, 
in person May 20-22
and online. May 16-29
Booth 217 
Can’t wait!
@craftcouncil 
#americancraftmadebaltimore 
Craftcouncil.org

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“I measure the success of my clothing by how it looks and feels on the woman who wears it.
I want each piece to flatter and enhance the body it adorns.”

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