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| | Shibui is the art of simplicity. | | | Shibui describes a profound, unassuming quiet feeling. It is unobtrusive and unostentatious. It may have hidden attainments, but they are not paraded or displayed. The form is simple and must have been arrived at with an economy of means. | |
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|  | | | | It is a knowing exploration of the inherent capabilities of its methods and materials A thing shibui must have depth worth studying after first being noticed. It must not reveal itself all at once. It is interesting, with intrinsic quality and depth of character. It's beauty is imperfect and unique, enhanced by particularities. | |
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| | | | | If a color scheme is to be shibui, the large areas should be dark, rich and unobtrusive, but with a touch of sharp, astringent color to add interest. Shibui is the essence of controlled understatement, and requires an attitude of modesty and humility. | |
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| Wishing you a creative spring into summer from my studio to yours!
Marcy |
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Word of mouth is the best, and we appreciate your passing it on to a friend, as well as hearing your feedback and support. | | |
| | | | | | | Link To Pairing Pattern & Fabric | | | | | |
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| | Marcy Is Coming to Britex
in San Francisco
Wednesday, June 15
7-9:30 PM
See a trunk show of Marcy’s inspirational & wonderfully creative wardrobe, the result of experience and research, including garments from her own closet as well as original garments and accessories from her Vogue designs.
Marcy will discuss current fashion, sewing and textile trends, how to recognize foolproof fabrics, and choosing the right style,designs & patterns. You’ll be treated to a lively collection of tips, techniques and ideas from one of the premier mavens of the sewing world and will go home with a fresh set of eyes’ so your sewing ‘to do’ list and your closet will contain clothes that work together, look and feel great on you, and fulfill the needs of your current life, including extraordinary everyday clothes.
The class fee is $60 and includes 30 minutes of shopping time with Marcy.
Call or visit Britex to participate: 415-392-2910 | | |
| Design Outside the Lines
Taos: September 25-29, 2011
Mabel Dodge Luhan House
The most beloved of all our fabulous Design Outside the Lines retreat sites is Mabel Dodge Luhan house in Taos. It is a magical place any time of the year, but late September is truly prime time in New Mexico. The aspens are turning, the air is crisp, days warm, evenings cool, and the sky is vast and blue. There IS a reason so many artists and writers gather here. We meet in this historical adobe compound, set up a working studio and magic happens.
Join Diane Ericson and myself and a small group of creative kindred spirits for a retreat/workshop/experience that delights and will change your work forever. The secret is getting out: Design Outside the Lines is more than a sewing retreat. | | Link to DOL Details and Info | | | | Registration Info for Design Outside the Lines |
| Warm Weather Sewing Ideas
What I love about sewing for spring and summer is that it can be quick, easy and fun. As I write, I'm pre-shrinkng a batch of our new Japanese fabrics in the washing machine, and have our Black Ferrari linen/silk on the cutting table ready to cut in my new 'Japanese Lantern' pant, Vogue 8712. In addition to working with my own patterns, I have a stack of other designs that I'd love to make....and I suffer from the too many ideas and not enough time dilemma too!
So here are some ideas for pairing patterns and fabrics for the upcoming seasons. We'd love to hear from you and see photos of what you are sewing for the warm weather ahead. |
| | Vogue 1234 | | Vogue 1234 by Sandra Betzina. LOTS of our customers are ordering fabrics to make this dress. It uses a knit and works in a solid or a print or a stripe. We think it would make the ultimate 'little black dress', or could become a very cool skirt. You could also tweak/lower the neckline or adapt the sleeve to 3/4 length (and the sleeve could be in a mesh or lace...) SO many possibilities here! |
| | | | Quiet Ikat Knit | | | | Deep Ocean Navy | | | | Watercolor Floral Rayon/Lycra Knit | | | Vogue 1250 | | One of the 'IT" dresses of the season, this DKNY design gets rave reviews on many sewing blogs. Knits only, and yes, you do need a certain kind of slim figure to carry it off, but it is a great example of simple good design. |
| | | | Eileen Ponte | | | | Parisian Black Microfiber Knit | | | | Color Lines Knit | | | Vogue 8552 | | A little dress or tunic that will feel great on a hot day. I like that it has the option of a sleeve (which could be lengthened), and those pockets will not only function, but are fun and will camouflage the hips. Could work in either a knit or a woven too....and is another candidate for a summertime LBD. |
| | | | Black Ferrari Italian Linen/Silk | | | | Sharon Checks | | San Marco Shibori | | | Vogue 8658 | | Simple and easy to wear design with classic lines that reflect current ready to wear. Don't be limited by the keyhole neckline, you can change that or not, but the slim line/tunic shape could be interpreted into a linen shirt, little knit shift or silk dress. |
| | | | Giverny Rayon Lycra Knit | | | | Passion 4 Purple Linen Blend | | | |
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| | | | | Vogue 1243 | | This little jacket design by Sandra Betzina is a sleeper. Sandra showed in the Sewing Expo fashion show worn over her dress, V1234, made in a double layer of a black mesh knit and it was fabulous. This is an ideal little summer cardi or cover up in something soft and drapey, and is ideal for sheer knits and meshes. |
| | | | Benny & The Jets Mesh Knit | | | | April In Paris Mesh Knit | | | Vogue 1247 | | Shown in a print on the pattern envelope where the lines disappear, this clean lined design could be make in a woven or a knit. I think it is THE little hot weather shirt....and could be lengthened into a dress. It is in my short line-up of things to make now. |
| | | | Sedona Teal Bamboo Knit | | | | Carrot Linen | | | | Heliotrope Laundered Linen | | | Vogue 7883 | | Ideal for linen and light cottons, this simple little top reminds me of expensive European ready to wear. It could be made in knits too. I'd adjust the shape of the neck---perhaps lower the front neckline a bit. Could be fun to combine different fabrics or prints. |
| | Camellia Pink Linen | | | | Soft Gray Dot Double Gauze Japanese Cotton | | | | Purple Haze Calvin Klein Cotton | | | Vogue 8402 | | Nothing flatters like a surplice wrap style. This one floats and skims the figure. Easy to make and fit, perfect for cottons, linens and knits too. I can see it lengthened to wear as a little summer dress too. |
| | | | Midnight Navy Linen Blend | | | | Provence Natural Linen | | Vorpal Knit | | | Vogue 8737 | | This is a very cool and very flattering design....it is ONE pattern piece, which is cut double, (same for front and back), so it lies asymmetrically on the body. Would be fast and easy to sew in any knit and also could make a great basic little black T...I make myself a little black T for each season. |
| | | | Basic Black Cotton Lycra | | | | Black Bart Cotton/Lycra Knit | | | | Blanche Knit | | | | Degas Pink Knit | | | |
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| | Vogue 8671
Nothing beats this French inspired pattern for the unbeatable combination of a flattering easy to fit cut, and quick easy sewing. Sew the front slightly curved asymmetrical seam LAST...so you can stitch on the neck binding while the garment is flat, and do a bit of final fitting too. I sew this seam WRONG sides together using a double needle, then press the seams to one side. | | | | | | | | The secret ingredient to achieve a pale thin coat of paint is: SHAVING CREAM. I mix shaving cream with paint (here, used Neopaque White and Lumiere Pewter). Mix paint, then mix in shaving cream with the sponge brush. Test on fabric scraps to see how it works. Let dry completely, then press to set the paint. The shaving cream extends and thins the paint without making it too watery, and keeps the screen from drying as quickly. Smells good when pressing too! |
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| | | | | | Bolinas Collection | | | | | | | | | Juliet | | Juliet in the large size was used for for the T shown above. |
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| Vogue 8671 as interpreted by Katherine
Using a collage of knit prints and stripes from her stash and ours. | | | | | | | Katherine used one of our new screens, Veil, with silver metallic foil. | | | |
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| | STRIPES | YIKES!!! Stripes
I| | | | In WW2, ships were painted in a striped pattern called, Razzle-Dazzle, a form of camouflage that tricks the eye. |
t is no secret that I have a weakness for stripes (and dots too). This spring the fashion world is having its own love affair with stripes. We are well striped (stocked) in the ArtBarn fabric warehouse right now, with stripes galore in knits and woven fabrics alike.
I've been reading a fascinating oddball little book on stripes. Called The Devil's Cloth, it gives meaning to why convicts wore stripes, and how over history, stripes have come to have meaning both good and bad. |
| Albert Einstein on stripes:
Once you can accept the universe as being something expanding into an infinite Nothing which is something, wearing stripes with plaid is easy. | | | |
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| | | | Elvis on stripes to his (then) wife Priscilla:
"At times he could be very critical. He didn't like prints on me. He didn't like stripes. He didn't like boldness. He said I was petite and that was taking away from my looks." | | | |
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| The argument rages over whether stripes add or subtract visual weight. Check out the images below to see for yourself!
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| | Stripe Fabrics | | | Ice Blue Stripe Japanese Cotton detailJaunty Stripe Cotton Blend Knit | |
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| | | | | Ambrose StripeSelby Stripe Knit | |
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| | ParisTilton Tour
November 12-19, 2011
E| | | | Here, a visit to the archives at Yves St. Laurent. |
ach tour has a different flavor, depending on the group and the time of year, but they are designed for creative women who appreciate design & fashion and enjoy the company of kindred creative spirits.
We time the tours to coincide with exhibits at the Musee de la Textile et de la Mode (Museum of Textiles and Fashion) at the Louvre. Past exhibitions include Balenciaga, Christian La Croix, Sonia Rykiel and Madeleine Vionnet.
Yes, we shop! Fabric and buttons are literally everywhere in Paris. French women sew, knit, embroider and if they don't they have a dressmaker. Every neighborhood has a mercerie (notions shop), we will visit some of the best. Fabric choices range from inexpensive remnants to fabric from current couture collections. The selection of buttons, ribbons, yarn and trims will make your mouth water.
Come to add a Parisian touch to your wardrobe and your stash, and to soak in the atmosphere of museums, food and cafe life.
The groups are small, 8 to 14. Come with a friend or group of friends, or come alone and make new friends. Spouses are welcome too.
ONLY 2 SPACES LEFT! | | Link To ParisTilton Tour Information |
| | Paris Flat in an Ideal Location | Owned by Marcy's friend Martine Deret
Perfect for women traveling together.
| | | | Dawn on the rooftops in Paris viewed from the living room window. |
When I am in Paris I love to stay in my friend Martine’s flat, and now you can too.
Centrally located in the heart of old Paris, this classic 6th floor (with new lift), French apartment is close to the Opera Garnier and the Opera Metro station, on an elegant small square (Gerard Depardieu has a restaurant on one corner, Drouant, the famed literary restaurant is on another). This roomy Paris pied a terre is within walking distance of the Louvre, the grand department stores, the rue St. Honore and the Palais Royal. For the cost of a moderately priced small hotel room you can have an expansive 2 bedroom 2 bathroom flat with a large living room, generous sized American style kitchen and washing machine. Each bedroom has a standard double sized bed, its own bath, and there is a traditional sofa in the living room. (not a hide a bed, tho plans for that are in the works).
| | | Martine has been using a rental service, but prefers to deal directly with clients.
For more information contact:
Martine Deret via her e-mail: martine.deret@hotmail.com
| | | | | The Living Room/Dining Area is bright and airy, overlooking Place Gaillon where there are 3 renowned restaurants. |
| | | | Big well equipped kitchen. A bonus is the bakery right downstairs in the same building. Delicious morning smells, and you can run down for fresh breakfast croissants.
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| | | | | | | View to Place Gaillion below from the living room window. |
| | | | | Bedroom #1 has an adjoining marble bath. |
| | | | | Bedroom #1 is light and airy: TV is behind the cabinet door, and there is a closet for storage. |
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| | | | | | | Bedroom #2 faces the inner courtyard and has an adjoining half bath with shower. |
| | | | | Bedroom #2 has lots of storage space, here you can see into the adjoining bathroom. |
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| | Sandra Betzina's
Power Sewing Toolbox 1 & 2
Sandra's new books are best sellers and for good reason! If you purchase the books and mention Marcy Tilton, you will get a FREE 1-month subscription to Sandra’s online sewing classes OR (for new students only) $10 Off a Yearly Subscription to her classes.
NOTE: Sandra’s books will be going up in price after Memorial Day, so now is a good time to buy.
Link to Power Sewing Toolbox Books | | |
| | SCRAPPLIQUE AND FAIRY TRIMS
F| | | | This is only one example of many kinds available. |
rom SF designer Giselle Shepatin, these are hand made trims like you've never seen!
The SCRAPPLIQU?â¬Æ trims may include any or all of the following materials: lace, silks, feathers, pearls in tulle, shibori, pleated, dots, stripes, or any other type of novelty fabrics and varying yarns from our huge yarn library. An entire ball of this trim will not have many repeat of fabrics within the ball. It is very varied.
The FAIRY trims include loads of crunchy tulle in various colors, and silk and other novelty fabrics. This style of trim is thinner and finer, and has a specific color and fabric feel. There is a lot of consistency within a ball of this trim; the fabrics are repeated in varying order.
PRICING:
Scrappliqu?© Trim - 3 yards - $36, $12 shipping = total $48
10 yards - $100, $12 shipping = total $112
20 yards - $160, $12 shipping = total $172
Fairy Trim - 3 yards - $30, $12 shipping = total $42
10 yards - $80, $12 shipping = total $92
Order directly from Giselle at the link below---link will be activated Wednesday, June 1.
| | Link to Giselle Shepatin Scrappatique and Fairy Trims |
| | Bali Fiber Tours
My friend Barb Alexander has been going to Bali for years for her wholesale fabric business. Now she is trading in the fabric business and taking small groups of women to Bali on tours with a textile twist, sharing her sources and expertise. Since 1999 Barb has traveled to Bali every year to design her line of rayon batik fabrics. Countless women have asked her to consider taking tours to Bali so now that The Batik Butik is closing Barb is thrilled to share this beautiful tropical island (and its gracious people) with others.
Tour #1: Oct 1 – 15, 2011 (14 days)
Tour #2: Oct 24 – Nov 7, 2011 (14 days)
Interested?
Call or e-mail Barb
barb@batikbutik.com
Toll-free Ph. 866-658-2612 | | |
| | | Cool Links | | John Marshall's Blog
In addition to being a perfect gentleman with a wicked sense of humor, Textile artist John Marshall deserves to be a National Treasure in Japan as well as here at home in the US. His classes are superb. His work is stunning, and the techniques mind boggling. (If you ever have a chance to take a class or visit his booth at a show, don't miss it). Now John has a blog that is not to be missed. And a newsletter too. Sign up, it will make you happy and you'll learn a lot! | | Vanity Sizing
The secret is out. Outed by the New York Times, no less. This is Kathleen Fasanella's 'other' blog. (of Fashion Incubator fame) A recent NYT article on this topic has also shed a bit of light on a topic that is all to familiar to those of us who make our own clothes. Do check it out. Kathleen is smart and a good writer, and her topics are on the mark. | | One Size Fits Nobody: Seeking a Steady 4 or a 10
Link to the recent New York Times article, found in the Business section. Hope the link is still active by the time you click. | | Style Saloniste
Fabulous photographs and interesting text from one of my favorite blogs. An exclusive view of little known mid century style-setter: Ann Bonfoey Taylor. The couture wardrobe of an accomplished American style-setter has its premier showing at the Phoenix Art Museum through May 29. Highlights of the exhibit, curated by the great Dennita Sewell, include super-glam Balenciaga gowns, austere and elegant Givenchy eveningwear, swooping skirts by Charles James, and superbly draped gowns by Mme. Gres. | | Amanda's Adventures in Sewing Blog
I found this blog via Vogue Patterns FaceBook page which I highly recommend, it takes me down the rabbit hole of the internet and into some really fun blogs and links. This is one. Written by Amanda, a young mom and accomplished sewist in Texas, it chronicles her sewing projects which have flair and style. Love her easter dress with matching mother/daughter frock for her little girl. | | Manly Sewing by Roy
Roy, (a former sheet metal worker), taught himself to sew in 4 months, then proceeded to assemble and repair an amazing collection of vintage industrial sewing machines, set himself up in an enviable SF studio and go into business making impeccable one-off jeans. Great website. Roy sparkles in the videos and you'll learn some of the tricks he has developed including listening for the sound of a bobbin as it is nearly out of thread. And don't miss his Philosophy. I smiled a lot on this site! | | | |
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