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Ann Williamson

Handmade Designer Women's Apparel

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Japanese Kimono Silks

November 10, 2019 2 Comments

When I discovered kimono silks I was blown away by their strength and their drape. Strong enough for my piecing, appliqué and beading, but, and this was where I found them so appealing, they were soft. They hung and draped beautifully. They were the perfect fabric for my designs.

At first I chose the ones with subtle weaves and patterns, I didn’t want anything that looked like it came from Japan. I only used the silks with quiet little dots, nubby textures or artisanal brushstrokes.

But, gradually, over the years I was seduced. The gorgeous cranes, pine trees, cherry blossoms, ocean waves and bamboo, I could not resist.

It started when I bought a gorgeous kimono covered with classic Japanese designs and hung it on my wall. I bought another and then another. A collection developed. Those in good shape went into a pile for display. The damaged ones with tears or spots were taken apart and cleaned. The torn and stained parts were discarded and the usable pieces were rearranged and sewed together into new jackets and coats.

Like this one, ‘Royal Cranes,’ pictured above and below.

Most kimonos have only enough fabric for one jacket or coat. But some have more, like the kimono I used for the trench coat below. It was covered with beautiful classic Japanese designs. After I pieced the trench coat there was enough fabric leftover for a jacket. The trench fell together with ease, the jacket, not so much. I posted a story about making the jacket here.

Cranes, pine trees, cherry blossoms, bamboo, all representing good fortune, long life and happiness. The original kimono must have been made for a wedding.

The detail below shows the drama and vitality in these designs. Gorgeous!

I have so much appreciation for these amazing fabrics. They are beyond beautiful. From the tiny dots and subtle textures to the wild and spectacular.

What a lucky place I landed! Believe me, I am so very much aware of how fortunate I am to have discovered Japanese kimono silks!

Flight Path, the Photos

November 3, 2019 4 Comments

Pictures from the photo session that we had a few weeks back. Beautiful Catherine in my jacket ‘Flight Path.’

In the middle of working on this jacket I posted a story about it. Check it out here.

It all started from a search through the bazillions of scraps that I cannot bring myself to throw away. Little pieces of leftovers that pile up on my shelves and in plastic boxes stacked in the corners of my rooms. While I searched, I found enough of the blue and whites to make into a jacket.

Waste not want not, mottainai, recycle, reuse, they are all similar concepts.

I like that even the smallest remainders from my scraps are appreciated and find their way into a new projects.

The back.

Smithsonian Rocks

October 20, 2019 6 Comments

The Smithsonian does rock! In So many ways.

After my over the top, forever memorable lifetime experience with RBG and the fabulous Craft2Wear show, I had a morning free before my flight home. I wandered down to Washington’s Mall and eventually into the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History.

Dinosaur bones, insects, ocean exhibits were enticing but it was in the Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals that I landed.

Disclosure: Other than the most rudimentary level of understanding, I know nothing about geology.

But I do know what I like! And I most definitely liked this exhibit.

The most gorgeous, colorful, pretty, odd and strange formations that collectors and others have dug up from the earth.

Dug up! Found! These gorgeous things just there, slowly growing and forming.

Some looked like something an avant-garde radical artist might have created to express the conflicts of contemporary life.

Beautiful sculptural forms with wonky scientific names, “Elbaite, with hydroxylherderite.”

Perfect geometric forms growing out of a rock. How can that be???

Every kind of shape. From lumpy cauliflower like forms to a delicate dandelion just about to blow off its seeds.

Funny little fluffy growths on aqua colored crystals.

I could not stop taking pictures! So cool! Every superlative you can think of. That is this collection.

These are a teeny fraction of the pictures I took and they are a teeny fraction of the entire collection.

I am so pleased that 20% of the sales of my and all the artists at the Craft2Wear show went to the Smithsonian to benefit the 19 museums and the research, conservation and exhibits. Except for December 25th, the Smithsonian museums are free and open to the public every day of the year.

Thank you Smithsonian Women’s Committee! The funds you raised could not have gone to a better organization!

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