Summer finally arrived here in the northwest where, like Paris and parts of Europe it has been cool and rainy, while our customers in other parts of the country are sweltering in triple digit heat. The fat fashion magazines and catalogs arriving now are full of fall looks. In my studio I usually have at least 5 projects going at the same time, so I’m doing some sewing for right now and organizing my stash with ideas and color ways for fall. Simultaneously working with linen & cottons and designing some core pieces for fall. Makes sense to begin work on that black cashmere tailored winter coat right now, taking my time and then taking a break from that long term project and whipping up a little knit tunic and gauze pants to wear immediately.
Summer is for dreaming, visioning and imagining. Hammock time. Reading the stack of textile, fashion & sewing books I’ve been collecting. As I put the finishing touches on this newsletter, my friend Diane Ericson is here visiting for the weekend. There WILL be studio play time, but we are tossing around ideas for our Design Outside the Lines Retreats and having conversations about our work and creative process, asking ‘what wants to be next?’
Tossing that same wondering out to you......what wants to be next in your creative process and projects?
Wishing you a summer of creative fun and discovery from my studio to yours!
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NEW FABRICS
click to see
Click on the icon above to go to the marcytilton.com Facebook page. (You must already be registered with Facebook.) Make a comment and click Like to participate in our fabric giveaway!
To FaceBook or Not To Facebook Some do, some don't. I've been using my marcytilton.com Facebook page as a way to stay connected with the creative sewing/design/fiber arts community. Yes, I was resistant at first (had a similar resistance to getting a serger, then a computer, imagining it would cut into my sewing time). Now using FB has become part of my regular creativity practice. I post several times a week, and in honor of this newsletter, there will be a $100. fabric giveaway, so go to our FB page, and give us a 'Like' and tell us what was helpful or informative for you in this newsletter, and what would you like to see more of.
I use our Facebook page to share what is going on in the studio, announce the arrival of new fabrics, show current projects to post videos and links AND for giveaways. Please go to our Facebook page, become a friend and click 'Like' whenever you feel like it.
$100 Fabric Giveaway on Facebook Week of July 24-29, winner announced on Sunday, July 30
3 Days of FREE Shipping
To celebrate summer, the urge to sew for right now and plan some cool weather pieces, we are offering.....................
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS PLACED ON:
Friday, July 29, Saturday, July 30, Sunday, July 31
Here is how it works:
1. Place your order on the website as a PURCHASE ORDER, any time between Friday - Sunday, July 29, 30, 31. Orders placed before or after these dates are not eligible for free shipping.
2. Call us to (during those 3 days), and pay for your order using a Credit Card at 541-592-2969. . We are located in Oregon, please call between 8am-6pm Pacific Daylight Time.
3. If voice mail picks up, it is SAFE to leave your Credit Card # AND card expiration date. Please do this even if we have your card on file.
4. Free Shipping only in the continental US. Visa and Master Card only.
5. You will receive your order based on availability. Sorry, no phone orders or changes on orders during this 3 day sale.
6. We will pack and ship in the order received (by invoice #).
7. Allow extra time for shipping during this special free shipping time.
Have fun choosing!
Marcy, Shelley and Beth
541-592-2969
Summer School
This summer Katherine and I have gone back to school, enrolled in an online 6 month course called Conscious Entrepreneurship, conducted by Drs. Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks, who are quite simply, two of the finest teachers I've known. Discovering their work in the mid 90's changed my life and made me a much better teacher and turbo charged my creativity in the process. I learned things I had always wanted to know as well as learning a lot about what I didn't know I didn't know. Over the years, I've shared this with some of you in classes and workshops. When this new class/opportunity came up I had a big YES to participating.
This current course is expansive, challenging and BIG fun with twice a week online/phone classes, homework galore and an online community of 50+ others participating. I'm tuning up my business and internet skills, so watch for new programs and offerings on the website in the future. The video clips in this newsletter are a direct result of the program.
Drs. Hendricks have demonstrated their techniques on Oprah and hundreds of other programs; now they’ve created a program you can do at home, to fulfill all your relationship dreams. For years I attended many hands on trainings all over the country, learning and integrating their body centered and relationship work, and I'd recommend this experience wholeheartedly. I use what I learned every day of my life and in every relationship.
Click on the link below to find out more.
Married, single, widowed, divorced, in business; unless you lead the life of a hermit, we're all in relationship with someone. This program is a simple way to hit the refresh button on your relationships with others and with yourself. One big bonus I noticed is an increased flow in creativity and a relaxed sense of well being.
Marcy & Katherine Tilton Announce:
Our charming boutique hotel is just across the street from the Cafe de Flore, and our home base neighborhood is in the heart of St Germain des Pres.
ParisTilton Presents
The Left Bank Tour
May 5-12, 2012
While staying in the heart of the Left Bank,
our intention is to experience living like a Parisian,
exploring Paris with an artful eye.
We share our favorite places,
sources and secrets,
with entry to places
not open to the average tourist,
and when our week is done,
you will know how to navigate
the City of Light
on your own.  
Designers, teachers and sewing experts, Marcy and Katherine Tilton present a new version of their sellout ParisTilton trips:
The Left Bank Tour
May  5-12, 2012. 
Marcy has been exploring the nooks and crannies of Paris for over 30 years, happily guiding hundreds of delighted travelers on dozens of tours.  Katherine has been co-conducting ParisTilton tours with Marcy for 3 years, Marcy says, 'I love having Katherine as co-pilot, she brings her inclusive warmth, great sense of humor and playful creative sparks into the group, everyone adores her.'
Sisters, artists and everyday creatives, Marcy and Katherine each design patterns for Vogue Pattern Company, write, teach creativity and offer sewing retreats.  Katherine designs and sells a collection of one-of-a-kind clothing.  Together they create a warm and welcome space for an intimate group journeying through the City of Light with curiosity, inspiration and camaraderie.
Katherine says, “Marcy’s passion for all things Parisian is huge and infectious. Exploring Paris with Marcy is a grand adventure with new discoveries, delicious food, irresistible inspiration and lots of laughs”. Marcy says, “When Katherine and I were in Paris together celebrating her 60th birthday, I had a dream of the two of us sharing a similar experience with other women and ParisTilton is the result of that dream. As collaborators we make an energetic travel team and love sharing our Paris savoir faire with others.”
You don't have to be a sew to come (tho we WILL take sewists to our favorite fabric/notions sources). This is a marvelous experience to share with a friend, sister, mother or daughter. Or come alone and travel with a group of kindred spirits. Spouses are welcome too. They are on their own during the day, but are included in all group meals and receive metro and museum passes.
Each tour has a different flavor, depending on the group and the time of year, but they are all aimed at creative women who enjoy fashion and design in the company of kindred creative spirits. This Left Bank ParisTilton Tour lands us in a new hotel and neighborhood....and Paris in the Spring. We are creating it because some of our repeat Paris participants requested it, and our French friends insist that this is a wonderful season to be in Paris. Plans are in the making: dates set, the hotel is booked, and....Giverny is on the list. More info to come, will post details on the website in the near future.
If you are interested in this trip, contact us by e-mail:
marcy@marcytilton.com
katherine@katherintilton.com
Or call: 541-592-2969
We love to talk about Paris!
Paris Apartment for Rent in an Ideal Location
Owned by Marcy's friend Martine Deret
Perfect for women or couples traveling together.
Click on the photos for information about Martine's Paris Apartment
You can now find information on Martine's apartment right on the navigation bar on the website under: PARIS APARTMENT
Shelley's Dress When the Skirt Panels arrived, Shelley took one and held it up with the top of the 'waist' around her bust and said, "I see this as a dress, and look, one panel would be big enough!" ....and 1 panel worked perfectly.
Shelley describes her process below. See our collection of Skirt Panels in New Fabrics.
When I saw the black & cream skirt panels I loved the long elastic at the waist and thought it would make a nice base for a dress. I thought it would be simple to add a little sleeved bodice and call it good. I searched thru all our knits to find a fabric that was the same color tone as the skirt panel, something subdued so it would look like the skirt panel and bodice had been all one thought.
I wrapped the skirt panel around my body and pinned it into shape around my mid-section. I wanted the pleats to begin just above the waist to give a smooth flattering line. In so doing the elastic ended at the midpoint of the bust and I decided to add a mesh to bring the line up a little higher.
Then I didn’t like the line across the bust so I thought to add a 2 inch wide row of a mesh fabric to move the eye up, choosing a black with taupey abstract lines that again picked up the striping of the skirt panel. (our Ventura Stripe fabric for the top).
Of course adding pieces later to a pattern is a bit more work than if I had planned ahead and put it in at the start. I tried it on and it worked.
I wanted the neck plain but not quite as austere as it was without a collar so I added a little 1 inch band that ended asymmetrically at the neck and picked up the black line mesh again by making a soft airy 3 inch cuff to pull it all together. It is cool, comfortable and a nice little dress to wear in the summer or fall to go anywhere.
For the top of the dress, use Vogue pattern 8582 or any basic well fitting T for knits with set in sleeve, natural shoulder.
I cut the bodice just under the arm and the skirt panel joined easily to the smooth mid-weight microfiber. ( I had thought the 2 fabrics wouldn’t join well because of the difference in weight.)
Beth's Everyday Style
Meet Beth, who along with Shelley, we affectionately refer to as the ArtBarn Divas. I took this snapshot of Beth as she arrived to work on her bike looking great and wearing a new skirt she had just made over the weekend.
Beth is taking an online 'Cloth Whispering' fiber arts workshop from artist Jude Hill (see link below), which is all about hand stitching as a creative and meditative act. Also below see details where Beth used a combination of silk screening, applique and hand stitching.
Spirit Cloth and Jude HIll
Click on the images above to go to Spirit Cloth, Jude Hill's beautiful soulful website
Hand Sewing
Perle cotton. Embroidery floss.
It must be in the air. Beth is doing hand sewing on her own and through her Cloth Whispering course, and Katherine took a reverse applique workshop from Natalie Chanin (of Project Alabama) at the Surface Design Conference in Minneapolis last month. I've been working on a series of handbags using hand stitching and adding hand embroidery to re-fashioned knit cardigans.
In the ready to wear and home decor world, anything that has hand stitching on it increases the value. I found a collection of Kantha cloth shawls and scarves which are made in west India by women from recycled saris stitched together by hand. They are so appealing, we nearly sold out in 3 days, and some customers are using them as fabric.
Summer is the perfect time to put together a little hand sewing kit and something to embellish. Here are photos of some of our projects....
Katherine's reverse applique pillow front from Natalie Chanin workshop.
See links to Project Alabama books below - highly recommended!
Marcy's French knots on re-fashioned cardigan which is dye discharged. I keep practicing my French knots.......
Little gray shrug cardi started out as a pullover plain T, tweaked, silk screened with dye discharge, keep adding bits of embroidery with perle cotton. Fun to do, and this has become a summer basic....cold summer here in Oregon!
Marcy pays homage to the running stitch on vintage French mattress ticking and tea towels.
Kantha Cloth
Kantha describes the simplest stitch in the language of embroidery...the running stitch. Using recycled vintage silk saris, women in Bengal sew together a double layer of silk, covering the entire surface with running stitches: in some cases, the hand stitching threads are pulled out of the sari itself. The colors morph and blend due to the artful combinations of thread and fabrics. The meticulous artistry transforms re-purposed fabric into extraordinarily beautiful scarves and shawls which feel incredible, are smooth and supple so they can be draped and crushed.
Click on the images above to see our current collection of Kantha cloth scarves and shawls.
Vogue 8752
P
The line drawing shows the silhouette and details. The hood is small and darted to fold flat like a collar and frames the face in front, but it does function, just in case of cold or rain.
ockets galore in this new jacket. The fit is easy, designed to fit over tops or a light sweater. Stripes are an ideal choice, but I am also seeing it as a rain jacket or done in a double knit so it would work as a sweater. Use denim, linen or cotton for a transitional cover up. Divine in cashmere, lovely in a double sided fabric where you could use both sides to show off the pocket detailing.
For the pattern envelope, I used an orange silk (cut on the cross grain), and an Italian wool woven pin stripe that had been printed with a fine etched design.
Below I've posted process photos to illustrate the tricks to sewing the pockets. This is a fun garment to sew and makes a great little toss on jacket.
The Indian orange silk is from our collection last season, sorry, sold out. The stripes are formed by weaving strips of torn up/recycled old saris into the silk. If I EVER find this fabric again, I'll buy it.
The Italian wool came from our collection last season, sorry, sold out. The final cut was the end of the bolt and the printing did not carry all the way to the end, I LOVED that, and used that piece for the back pocket.
Staystitch the curved edge
Clip to the staystitching as needed. Every fabric is different, but you want to be able to join the 2 opposite curves and this is the secret.
Both curves are the same length.
Sew with the staystitched & clipped side on top, sewing just next to the staystitching line.
Right front pieces ready to assemble.
Left and right fronts constructed and the jacket is ready to assemble.
Pairing V8752 Pocket Jacket With Our Fabrics Recommended fabrics from our current collection.
Millenium Stripe Stretch Woven
On the Road?
Want to Shop at the ArtBarn?
While we are not a retail store, we do accept shoppers, but please call ahead to make an appointment and get directions. Best days are Mon, Tues or Thursday as Shelley and Beth are working at that time. Approximate ETA is fine, and other days can work too, tho we need advance notice so someone is here....it IS summer and we might be out galavanting around too!
Give a call: 541-592-2969 to make plans for shopping.
Driving Cave Junction is the nearest town, located on Hwy 199, about halfway between Crescent City, CA and Grants Pass.
From Grants Pass, go south on Hwy 199 to Cave Junction (about 28 miles). Go south through town, over the river to Rockydale. Turn left on Rockydale and go to the end of the road (about 7 miles), which ends at Waldo. Turn left on Waldo, go about 1 mile to a stop sign at Takilma Road. Turn left on Takilma Road. We are the 3rd driveway on your left: 8020 Takilma Road.
From Crescent City, go north on Hwy 199, across the Oregon state line to the little town of O'Brien (about 40 miles). Turn right on Waldo, go about 5 miles to a stop sign at Takilma Road. Turn left on Takilma Road. We are the 3rd driveway on your left: 8020 Takilma Road.
Video Clip of A Visit to the ArtBarn
ArtBarn Fabric Consult with Marcy and Katherine
Workshop/Playshop AND The Arty T 2.1 Talk and Trunk Show
With Katherine Tilton
At the Textile Center in Minneapolis
September 16-18
Design Outside the Lines Retreats
with Diane Ericson
and Marcy Tilton
We change our theme each year and vary the focus for every retreat.
Our theme for 2011:
LIVING THE CREATIVE LIFE
TAOS 2011 RETREAT IS FULL
(Call to be put on the wait list)
September 25-29, 2011
Mabel Dodge Luhan House, Taos, New Mexico
February 5-9, 2012
La Casa de Maria, Santa Barbara, California
Diane Ericson
Faultlines Pattern #118
Perfect for sewing now and on into fall....
Diane describes her Faultlines Pattern
"Fault Lines is a short, bias jacket with a bias undershirt that creates a fluid, shaped silhouette . The jacket has a beautiful sleeve design that is highlighted by striped fabrics. The sleeve can tapered in (included with pattern directions), and used on the Undershirt. Pattern pieces can be cut several ways on the fabric to take advantage of a unique stripe or border design. It makes a great vest too. The collar (with directions for making it detachable) is a bias tube so your favorite scarf threads through.
The bias cut undershirt, has complimentary lines to the jacket and can wrap on either side. It can also be made from the same fabrics to give a layered jacket look to your silhouette. Easy construction with attention to detail and beautiful lines are making this one of my favorites. Ideal in linens for summer too! !"
Hip & Chic at any age!
My friend Helen Papke made her mod-rocker artist's version of the Faultlines jacket and Undershirt in a combo of stripes and hand embellished fabrics.
SCRAPPLIQU?â¬Æ and Fairy Trims
From 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.
Fairy Trim - 3 yards - $30, $12 shipping = total $42
10 yards - $80, $12 shipping = total $92
Order directly from Giselle at the image link opposite.
Click on the image to see (and buy) more of Giselle's beautiful trims.
SUMMER READING
Cool Links Do check out these favorite sites, blogs and sources
Euro-Linens Last month I went to the once monthly Alameda Flea Market held at right on the tarmac at the old WW2 naval base and discovered a source for divine vintage French linen. If you can't make it to the flea market, check out their site or visit their California shops. I fell in love with the vintage mattress ticking (still had feathers
Spoonflower Fabrics Spoonflower custom prints fabrics in your own design, or you can choose from hundreds of their prints. The fabrics are beautiful. I just used two of their Jane Dunnewold prints in cotton/linen for handbags....the would make stunning pillows or upholstery too. Quilters lover Spoonflower fabrics too, in fact their fabric choices range from quilting cotton to canvas to silk charmeuse to cotton voile. Beautiful quality, custom printed in the US. DO take a look at their website, this is such a great concept and the owners are wonderful to work with.
Jane Dunnewold's Website Give yourself the gift of browsing Jane's rich, diverse and crammed full of inspiration website. Take in the visuals, absorb the quotes, be sure to go to her blog. If the textile arts community in the US recognized National Treasures, Jane would be on the short list. I am a huge fan!
India Flint's blog: Prophet of Bloom Australian fiber artist India Bloom uses natural organic materials (flowers, leaves etc), wraps them in cloth and the results are gorgeous. Her blog is pure inspiration, her books are stunning eye candy, and we hear that she will be back in the US in 2012.
Inspiring One of a Kind Clothing from Juanita Girardin Juanita Girardin is one of our fabric customers (always interesting to see her choices), and due to a postal glitch we got to talking, and I discovered her website, thought you would enjoy seeing the way this talented artist expresses herself through fabric and clothing.
Urban Burp Vintage Fabrics in San Francisco Tucked away between North Beach and the Jackson Square area is a fabric shop devoted to vintage modern fabrics, a passion of the owner who started collecting as a teenager. The shop is a visual treat, cozy, colorful and friendly. I was immediately taken by the 'wall' of bark cloth, both new reproductions and vintage. I got a piece which I used for a handbag for a future Vogue pattern. Urban Burp is a great find, check it out online or stop by when you are in San Francisco.
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