Art can always cross into fashion…..so much more fun to wear a piece that shows not only your sewing ability, but also your design eye. So lets play with the Design Eye for a bit. Here is one of my newest SnapDragon Jackets (My Pattern # 117 (link:http://www.dianeericson.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ReVisions&Product_Code=Pattern-117-SnapDragon&Category_Code=PATTERNS). I must admit, my eye tends towards the more subtle combinations-so this collaboration with my friend Ann (she threw in the idea of the red and white lapels-which make it so fabulous!) was invigorating for me to create. Here is my starting place…my pile of materials, inluding the pattern, fabrics and  the stitching ” thread” which brings it all together. That ‘thread’ is 100%bamboo and feels like a soft rafia. It is by Habu (Habu.com), who has the most delicious and artistic collections  of fibers to play with. I also added some vintage black rayon tape to the red lapel. Since the lapels in the pattern snap on and off with one of my favorite notions: snaptape- they can be looped in sculptural ways or removed all together. Here are lapels looped up to make a cowl …as you can see the snaptape (alvailable on my website), becomes a design element as it peeks out here and there. My everyday SnapDragon Jacket is this grey, melton wool one.You can see another variation of snapping and looping in various ways  to create a sculptural front. There are some great ideas in the pattern for making multiple lapels and changing them out…This design is a felters dream and these lapels can be a way to showcase felted pieces. The sleeves can also snap on and off for a vest layer. Be on the lookout for great fabrics to  incoporate into your SnapDragon Jacket. I found this  beautiful piece of wool (below) with the felted yarn design at marcytilton.com (which doesn’t surprise those of us who know her…she has a GREAT eye for fabulous fabrics! I have made it into a scarf piece to wear with my jacket  and have enough to  add snaptape to a set of lapels too. I shaped the edges with my scissors and added the bits I cut off back into the surface and tendrels…this definitely bumps up my jacket! PLAY-PLAY-PLAY…that is the name of the game. If you are inside for the winter, take out your one favorite pattern and make it 3 times:Collage it from recycled clothes, work in that great piece of wool you are hoarding…do what it takes to get yourself going so you can wear it out tomorrow! Every winter, I make some scarves…this ones could be another lapel idea for the SnapDragon. I like to collage with silks, mens suiting and wools. The hand-stitching reminds me of a drawn line and gives a more personal touch to each scarf. Slits can be faced, sewn and turned to either side. Pockets can be an inventive detail in a winter scarf. It is all about the fabrics..so get out your favorites and make something cozy for yourself and friends! All the best as you create your Holidays and cruise into the New Year, Diane

My Inspiration: All of the blues in my life. I love putting up and working with the ideas I get from my  design boards. In the studio this month is a collection of rich blues. It includes, images from my design file,  bits of weaving and cording and  a watercolor sketch of the shirt outfit described below outfit . Notice the  stencil I cut of the simple shapes and the metallic surface linen fabric I printed next to it. I am adding some handstitching to that…and it is the beginning of a project later on down the road…maybe as spring comes around again. I work in a very organic way…and allowing things to sit for a while-sometimes a long while is a good thing. It is up on the board now so I keep noticing it as I work in other directions. Fabrics, a stenciled Torii Top ( my ReVisions #100) and hangers I have made out of driftwood and wire all influence my work and are reminders of things I have on my plate in the studio. On the Other side of the Studio- The jumper on the dressform (on the right) is a combination of vintage, new and ethnic fabrics. Out of my collection from the past,  it is one of my favorites. I started the garment with my JAVA JACKET PATTERN #104 and extended the length(36″ for my height: 5′10″). This pattern is back on my design table for a winter coat project :I am going to add a cozy over-sized collar and make the coat in a solid color wool with the linings  in a bright color…so in motion, when the wind is blowing…the color is a surprise! The top layer of the outfit on the second dressform is a vest (created out of 2^nd hand fabric scraps from Japan, a gift made by my Mom, Lois). The shirt is a redesigned mens shirt to which I have added 2 other shirts for accent fabrics. I think the new, double shawl collar (out of cut-up shirts)   makes this piece more than a mans shirt. The buttons you see are ceramic….while the same buttons and buttonholes close the  garment from the inside. The bag started with a special, stitched gift: a piece of indigo and a collection of ethnic fabrics and handmade cording. I always enjoy making and wearing layered pieces that combine the old with the new. I love the patina that worn pieces have- they come with a story of their own. One of my tea cozies and a stenciled bag are part of the display…I am feeling a collection of winter tea cozies coming on as the weather is changing again. Stitching by Hand- Sitting and sitting with handwork gives more meaning to a piece- it is an activity that gives me time to appreciate what I am doing and time to appreciate  all of you who give deeper meaning to working with our hands.

Here is a closeup  of some of the fabrics/textures in the two outfits. Who could EVER get to much indigo!?!?!?

Fall in Ashland- The trees are exploding with color now…..I know I will miss it when the trees are bare…but for now, it is magnificent. Stenciling Inspiration: Leaves- Get out your leave stencils right now!!!!...or order up the ones you don’t have (www.dianeericson.com). Stenciled IKEA Rocker- Jacquards Lumiere (metallics) fabric paints are  BEAUTIFUL on black fabrics-I used them to stencil the canvas cushion covers for this IKEA wood Rocker. It was a wonderful project sponsored by The Original Sewing & Quilt Expos. I printed a series of the chairs and they were auctioned off with the money raised going to the charity of the purchasers choice. The MAGIC of masking tape-Masking tape creates a quick and easy stencil for crisp edges…I like to use it as a compliment to the floating leave shapes I print. I mask off the edges (with masking tape on both sides..then rubbed the crimson color over the seam to create an accent like piping would. I like to print a simplified design on the second side. Remember, stenciling can give new life to fabrics that need a lift. for more inspiration and close-ups of easy ways to make that happen, see my Stenciling Techniques on Fabrics DVD on my website. I hope your studio is a warm and inviting place this week………..      Now go play! Diane PS. Of course the shoes are stenciled.