Michigan League of Handweavers Workshop with Mary Sue Fenner

 

 

I would like to start off by saying that when I take workshops I am usually going for learning technique, not usually finishing a project.  So I threw together a bunch of fabric from my stash, a handwoven I had just pulled off the loom and headed to Mary Sue's 3 day jacket workshop.  I'm so impressed that I not only finished my jacket, but I love it and will wear it.

 

 

Mary Sue gave us a lot of helpful demos throughout the class.  Due to the fact everyone was working on their own jacket, with fabrics of all kinds, every jacket required things slightly different.  This was great because we learned many different techniques that may or may not have applied to the project we were currently working on, but can use in the future. The above photo is Mary Sue beginning to explain to us how to put in tailor's tacks from the pattern with thread and using a silicone to make the thread easier to work with.

 

 

Stitching Stitching... I learned even better ways to clean my machine and that I need to do it much more frequently than I usually do.  

 

 

Discussion about interfacing.  We used a very thin interfacing and if one wanted it thicker, you just layer on more. Also, in order to strengthen handwoven fabrics, you put a small strip of interfacing in a turned seam and it keeps he handwoven from dropping.  What a great tips for using interfacing!

 

When the pieces were all cut and I could layer it up, the excitement really started to build for me.  I had to cut my Friday class a little short to meet for the fashion show, which was really fun.

 

(Photo by Jeanne Sarna)

 

Mary Sue couldn't say enough how lovely this blue dress that Helen Welford made was on me.  Helen won 3rd prize in the Fashion Exhibit for "Allison's Honeymoon Gown" which I was also honored to model.

 

I finally found the perfect buttons in my bead stash, I picked up a bunch of vintage glass buttons from Lamb's Gate Antiques a while back and picked out two different kinds for the collar clasp. The pattern calls for snaps, but I wanted to be able to wear the jacket open without the snaps showing, so with a little troubleshooting I made it work and it's done.

 

I feel that I have to make something else from a pattern soon, just so I don't forget everything I learned.  On the other hand, that's part of the reason I blog.

 

Ludington Fiber Art Invitational Press Release

"She Can't See the Forest Through the Trees"

Woven Panel Detail

 

Fiber Art Exhibit at Ludington Arts Center for the Arts

     Fiber Invitational ’13 is an exhibit of two and three dimensional works by more than fifteen artists and will open September 10, 2013 at the Ludington Center for the Arts. More than thirty pieces made of silk, hand-dyed yarns, handmade paper, and quilted and woven fabrics will compose the display.

     Kris Campbell, organizer of the fall fiber events at LACA says, “We’re really honored to have this talented group of artists exhibit at the art center.  Artists of accomplished skill and award winners from state and national competitions will be represented.”

     LACA, located at 107 South Harrison, Ludington, MI, is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5:30. Call 231-845-2787 or email visualarts@ludingtonartscenter.org for information.


I have 3 pieces heading up to Ludington for this show, including "She Can't See the Forest Through the Trees" which recently won the Best of Show and People's Choice Awards at the Michigan League of Handweavers Conference. 

I am also available to teach a class on September 14th, 2013 in the afternoon. Details here: http://www.ludingtonartscenter.org/Visual_Arts/workshops

Michigan League of Handweavers Conference 2013: My Awards

I can't thank the Michigan League of Handweavers enough for the awards that I won this year in the Conference Exhibits.  I received awards from not only 2 different jurors, but also the People's Choice Award for the Fiber Art Exhibit.  This has been such a great group to be part of, and to have my talent recognized within the group is such a great honor.

The awards I won are as follows:

"She Can't See the Forest Through the Trees"

 

Best of Show for Fiber Art

People's Choice Award for Fiber Art

"Bamboozled Bangle"

 

2nd Place Fashion Accessories Exhibit

 

 

"Chevron Bangle"

Judge's Choice Award

 

 

I am also especially grateful to the people who hung the Fiber Art Exhibit.  "She Can't See the Forest Through the Trees" is a pain in the butt to hang.  For my exhibit that was in March/April, we hung it from the ceiling at Grove Gallery, and I knew that it wouldn't be able to hang that way when I was entering it for the MLH Conference.  They managed to use the display boards to make a tunnel and set the dowels along the tops on either side.  Also placing it right in front of the door so you didn't miss it when you walked in.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  

Art Deco Bangle and Earrings

 

 

I've been thinking a lot about where I started with my beadweaving and the designs I used to draft.  When I was making amulet purses, I used a lot of inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright.  When I think about it now, I was just hitting the tip of the iceberg on where I could have gone with the geometric lines and stained glass imagery.  The size of my work has also gotten much bigger since those days, which allows me to play even more with color and the size of lines.

 

 Art Deco Bangle  $200.00

 

I decided to start simple with this 1.75 inch wide bangle.  I love how it turned out and had to make a pair of earrings to match.

 

Art Deco Earrings $55.00

 

The earrings I decided to make pointed on either end to mimic the points on the bangle.  I rarely use uneven-count peyote stitch, but it was the best way to make the points.  I was reminded why I don't use uneven-count. The back-tracking through the beads to get this shape just usually isn't worth the time it takes!  But I do feel it's a solid design, so I'll be making more of these in different colors.

  

In progress:

I had a lot of fantastic feedback from this image I posted on Facebook and Instagram! 

Thanks everyone!