#10 Sparks! Summer 2008
Diane Ericson’s Creativity Newsletter & Studio Notes
>> A SUMMER HEART-FELT COAT
Here is my newest version of my favorite coat pattern-->
http://www.dianeericson.com
The pattern became a perfect canvas for some drawing and collage work. I made a smaller size (for a more fitted look) and placed the pattern pieces on the bias for mored movement to the garment. I used two layers of linen in two colors. The inside color peeks out as the raw edges finish to the outside. Lots of topstitching plays into the drawing on the surface. You may enjoy making a summer coat as a collage project. As the fall leaves start to fly...I will be making the Heart-Felt coat up with some wool fabric that I felt following the directions in the pattern.
There are lots of projects in my life these days. I thought you might enjoy 3 of my favorite summer design exercises.
>> SUMMER DESIGN PLAY
1. CREATE A PIECE OF FABRIC - Get out the box of bits and pieces of summer fabrics and just start sewing! It is so freeing to just launch into the process without much thinking ahead. It's when I remember being young and it was always a surprise when my imagination and my fledgling technical skills magically came together. I like to put on my favorite music and sew and press until I have a nice size piece to work with. Sometimes I will include scraps of my printed fabric and trims into some of the seams. For summer garments, I love including some of my old linens too. I can already see some white stenciling on some natural colored fabrics. Once the fabric is made-it can be enhanced with some surface design before you start cutting into it for more dimension.
My rule of thumb on grainlines is: The larger the pieces the more I pay attention to the grain directions as I use the pieces. The smaller the pieces I am using, the less I am concerned with the grain directions. Once you have a piece big enough to work drape it on yourself to see what it might want to be or whether it will be on top...or work better as pants or a skirt.
Next, get out a pattern or two if you need them. At this point you can use pattern pieces or continue on the rebel path of cutting and sewing to create your afternoon play piece.
The only rule I have for this exercise is to keep going in the direction that would be the most fun! I'd love to see what you create.
If you'd like to see some of my fabric pieces and garments-->
http://www.dianeericson.com/c/recycledDesign/recycledDesign.html
I want to make a piece of fabric for a Taos Skirt next-->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/Pattern-112-TaosSkirt/PATTERNS/The+Taos+Skirt
2. TRIM IT UP FOR A NEW LOOK - Recycling is always one of my favorite activities.
Here is a recent project I am enjoying wearing in the warm weather-->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/GAL-Trimit/recycledDesign/Trim+It
I started with this linen wrap vest and added some fun multi-colored eyelet trim and some topstitching. I used a heavy, topstitching thread on top and a regular sewing thread in the bobbin. I used the stitching to accentuate the seams in the garment and tie it in with the trim. This has got me looking in my closet for the next 'blank' to transform!
3. SUMMER COLOR SCHEMES - Fruit is a wonderful inspiration for new summer colors...pale melons, new sprouts and deep berry colors. The farmers markets are full of inspirations this time of year. I have just recently moved to the beautiful Rouge Valley in Southern Oregon, and one of the ways I am exploring my new town is to walk some of the residential areas in the evening. Yards, homes, lawn art and plantings are all a visual feast that will feed my creativity and somehow translate into new work.
I am drawn to the red wood rockers on one of the porches. The red sticks are an appealing image and I can already see a piece of jewelry in my minds eye. Who know what a fresh look around your neighborhood can stimulate.
As you develop your eye and bring new colors into your designing, a color wheel is always a great tool to use-->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/ColorWheel/NOTIONS/Color+Wheel
>> CONVERGENCE
The National Handweavers Guild of America (HGA) Convention was in June. I had the opportunity to be teaching there and enjoyed meeting so many of you. I was also involved in a Design Challenge with 3 weavers and 2 other clothing designers. What fun. I had a wonderful experience teaming up with Nancy Peck, the current president of the HGA, to create a garment. We all started with the same hand-dyed yarns and came up with very different pieces.
The HGA website should have photos up soon of all the pieces -
look for Design Challenge 2008 on their site.
For our garment, I used The Peony Pattern #107 for a skirt and top-->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/GAL-Peony825/WEARABLES/Peony
I shortened the top using the lengthen shorten lines on the pattern and also curved the seams out at the bottom for a little more flare. Remember the lengthen-shorten lines on your pattern can be for design (and changing the overall silhouette of your garment)...as well as fit. There are so many sewing details and techniques that can come up when sewing with handwovens.
>> WORKSHOPS
If you want to join me in this area this summer, I am offering an all-day sketching/fashion illustration class at Marcy Tilton's Art Barn (http://www.marcytilton.com) in Takilma, OR on Aug. 30th. I have been teaching this in sold-out classes at Expos and other events on the east coast and in the south these past 2 years with lots of enthusiastic participants. I can make this joyful process very accessible if it is something you have always wished for and have been a bit intimidated by. For more information, check in on Marcy's website for classes at the Art Barn. It is a beautiful time of the year here in Southern Oregon and we'd love to have you join us there.
I am working to set up an inviting studio space and looking forward to offering workshops here in the Ashland, Oregon area. I will share my progress in future newsletters.
Now that I am almost unpacked, look for 2 new patterns from me for the fall - A purse pattern and a vest pattern - based on one of my favorite draped designs.
Enjoy the long evenings...and remember to sit on the porch.
Diane
