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Topics in this newsletter:
* Reporting on the Surface Design Conference
* T-Shirt Update
* NEW Collection of Cotton-Lycra Knits
* Summer Wardrobe
* Silk Screen Tutorial
* New Silk Screens
* Sell Marcy's Silk Screens
* Upcoming Schedule
* Cool Links
* Summer Reading
| | | | | Surface Design Conference | This mended vintage dress discovered in an abandoned Kansas farmhouse seems to be inhabited by the spirits of the woman who wore it and mended it. Artist Dorothy Caldwell uses hand stitching in her own work, and this piece was part of the lead-in to her show.
Click on image for a larger view. |
I'm home and catching my breath after a whirlwind week at the Surface Design Association Conference in Kansas City. Went with my sister Nandini where we had a vendor booth as well as participating in some of the conference events. It was exhilarating and exhausting and BIG fun!
The SDA conference is like the brainy-arty big sister of some of the consumer sewing shows --- a stimulating mix of serious fine art fiber artists, art school professors, art school students, serious hobbiests, a few men, and always some people from other disciplines who are intrigued by fiber and are looking for a way to incorporate that into their own work. Clothing designers, graphic artists and quilters are in the mix too.
One of the highlights of the conference is the Friday evening art walk in the gallery district where members sell their work.
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|  | | | Inspirations
| | Detail of Pat's coat, a gorgeous use of color and pattern punched out with hand stitching.
Click on image to enlarge
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| | Beautiful jacket by Suzanne Guin, hard to believe it is her first attempt at sashiko. Click on image to enlarge |
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| | | | Suzanne Perilman ( Suzanne Silk) is doing some of the finest surface design and clothing around. |
Suzanne has moved to Santa Fe and she welcomes visitors to her studio there. If you want an inside look at a working studio with an opportunity to purchase work directly from the designer you can visit Suzanne. Click on the link to see more of her work and for contact info. | | | http://www.suzannesilk.com/ | |
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| | Where Did You Get That T-Shirt? | Cotton lycra jersey with self-fabric strips used as design detail. Elegant and funky, I used raw edges on the self fabric strips and on hems and neck band. A sharp rotary cutter and straight edge ruler make it easy.
Click on image to enlarge. |
New renditions of the surplice wrap t-shirt for an upcoming Threads article. This style is super flattering, and once you have a pattern that fits, it is fast and easy to sew. Click on this link for more views and details.
| | | T-Shirt Gallery | | | | I used the reverse side of sheer polyester knit mesh for this t-shirt and cut the front and back hems on the fold so there are double layers for more coverage. |
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| | | | Where Did You Get That T-Shirt Fabric?
Lovely cotton-lycra jersey knits, my choice for T-Shirts. Great colors, the photo does not do the deep full colors justice. Comes from a supplier to a fine quality t-shirt manufacturer. 54" wide, $13.50 yd.
Black and Chili Red are slightly heavier weight, and would work for skirts or pants as well as tops.
For samples, send a SASE with 2 first class stamps and $2. to: PO Box 2161, Cave Junction, OR 97523
Colors left to right:
Black
Stone- a warm rich grey
Chili Red - a warm deep rusty red
Moss Green -
Aubergine Purple - the color of a ripe eggplant
Paprika - a sophisticated tone of orange
True Teal Blue - the most universally flattering color
Clear Red - a cool clear Chanel red | | | Click to buy Cotton-Lycra Knits |
| Where Did You Get That T-Shirt?
CD-Rom
My CD-Rom is the result of over 30 years experimentation and refining simple ways to head off trouble when making a t-shirt.
Just pop it into your computer and it is like having Marcy with you in your own sewing studio, a private tutorial that will get you inspired to make your own distinctive t-shirts without fear of failure. 8 video segments, (nearly 1 1/2 hours in 5 - 20 minute segments) on fit, construction and design details and a gallery with a close up look at hand made t-shirts. Also included is an extensive list of fabric and other resources complete with with hotlinks, a slide show and informative handouts you can print out. Click on the link below for more information. | | | T-Shirt CD Rom |
| Emma One Sock
People ask me where to find good knits. Here is an internet fabric store where I have been buying knits, especially the rayon double knits. | | | www.emmaonesock.com | | | |
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| | Summer Wardrobe Ideas | Distinctive Little Tank | A simple little tank can be a key piece to wear underneath. The knit fabric was just a bit flat, so I added tone-on-tone silk screening. The screen is called Riffle from my new EXTRA LARGE silk screens.
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Nothing like a trip on the horizon to kick me into gear. For me, summer means lightweight layers in basic colors. This sewing adventure lead to the development of a new series of Super-sized silk screens. The pieces you see here: the tank, the black cardigan, the cropped pants and the silver bag are the core of my summer wardrobe. Add a cream pant, a black tank and a cream mesh jacket (in the works), and I am good to go! | | | Click to see Riffle Silk Screen | |
Casual Chic Sheer Summer Cardigan | | Everyone who tries on this black knit cardigan wants one for herself. Stay tuned for more info on this style. The secret ingredient for making the tucks in the band on this thin knit is using Sulky Tearaway stabilizer. |
| | | Go With Everything Bag | | Each summer I like to find a lightweight go with everything bag. Some years it is straw or fabric. This year it is a silvery mesh tote. I use colored mesh smaller zipper bags to organize my stuff. |
| | | Silver Bag | | | |
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| | | | | Simple Little Summer Pants
| Left to right: C, A, B
Marcy's pant pattern, Vogue 8397 is among the top sellers since its release! High-style high-fashion pants with elastic waists AND panache. All are trim lined and designed to flatter the figure. Parisian inspired view A has shaped front and side seam with a clever square corner. This pant not only slims but makes legs look longer View B is slim lined with side panel and button tabs. This is the pattern I use for my own bias cut pants, which was the topic of a Threads article a few years ago. View C is a no side seam pant (just one pattern piece), with a tuck and darts at the hem. I cut this version on the crossgrain and use the selvedge edge at the hem, either as a finished edge or turned to the outside.
All are super quick to sew. |
| | | Vogue 8397 Pants |
| | | View A might look a bit odd in the pattern photo, but the drape works miracles, lengthens the legs and slims the figure. I tried cropping the length for summer, trimmed 5 inches off the bottom after I had cut and sewn the original length. I narrowed the hem, taking a 2 inch deep pleat at the side seam. The fabric is a light and drapey microfiber. I LOVE the results, wore it several times on a recent weekend trip. |
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| | | Click here to see more current sewing projects |
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| | Silk Screen Tutorial |
After nearly 4 years of experimenting and trial and error with silk screens, I now I have over 100 designs, nearly a dozen kits, and a skilled assistant who makes and mounts the screens---though I still do some of this too.
Kids and teen-agers love silk screening too, and in the summer I work on the deck. Even if you have never tried it before, you'll find complete easy instructions on using silk screens in On The Surface CD-Rom | |
Pad the Work Surface
I've discovered that padding my work surface makes a big difference. Cheap acrylic craft felt is perfect, the color does not matter. Experiment to see if you like one, two or three layers. You can silk screen with yardage or cut out pattern pieces directly on the felt. | | |
Tips for Silk Screening Sheers
If you are working with a sheer fabric like organza, cover the felt with plastic, taped firmly so the surface is taut. Then, you can either allow the fabric to dry on the plastic (does not take long in summer heat), or carefully peel it away and air dry. If you move the fabric while the paint is wet it can smear. To prevent this, I put a couple of clothes pins at the bottom edge of the piece and then attach it to the clothesline or skirt hanger, securing along the top. The weight at the bottom keeps the light fabric from flipping in the wind and smearing wet paint. | | | |
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| | | | Tone-on-Tone Colors
I have been using more and more tone-on-tone paints. One combo I like is Nova Black Pearl and Stainless Steel on black fabric, punched out with a touch of silver metallic foil. I use both Lumiere and Nova paints, but find the Nova paints are a bit thicker than Lumiere. Lumiere is made especially for use on fabric, it is a bit thinner so it results in a lighter feel. I use both brands but each takes a slightly different touch.
Nova paints are all purpose acrylics, and they are thicker, so they have a slightly heavier hand on fabric. The thickness of the paint makes it easier to screen. I mix the two brands without any problems.
I especially like Nova's Black Pearl and Gold Pearl colors. I use the Gold Pearl along with Pearl White and Lumiere Metallic Bronze for tone-on-tone with white, ivory and ecru fabric. Do send for the Nova color chart, they charge for it and it is worth having.
www.novacolorpaint.com/ | |
Lumiere's halo colors are gorgeous, but tend to be more runny than the other metallics. If you have problems with seeping, experiment with using a softer lighter touch when pulling the paint across the screen. Test to see if a sponge brush or credit card give better results.
http://www.jacquardproducts.com/products/paints/lumiere/ | | | |
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| | | New Silk Screens |
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| | Join the Silk Screen Sisterhood!
Sell Marcy's Silk Screens
For those of you who teach, conduct workshops participate in guild events or have other related fiber-art businesses, I am offering the opportunity to sell Marcy's silk screens on easy consignment terms.
Contact Marcy for details. 541-592-2969
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| A Word About Shopping on Marcy's Website
Purchase Orders and Credit Cards and Shipping
I appreciate your support and your purchases of the products I offer online.
Purchase Orders are an alternative option to Paypal for ordering online. Here is how it works. If you place a Purchase Order, it is a promise to pay, either by sending a check (to me at PO Box 2161, Cave Junction, OR 97523) or by calling with a credit card number. We cannot ship until payment has been made---and there has been some confusion lately about how purchase orders work. When we receive the e-mail message that you have placed a purchase order, we pack it up so it is ready to ship when your check arrives.
Credit Cards Now a Payment Option
We are now able to accept Master Card and Visa for your purchases. (sorry, not for workshops or tour payments). Call to place your order: 541-592-2969. Do not e-mail your CC# or info.
Shipping is done via the Post Office. We do all we can to keep shipping costs down, and ship via 1st class or priority mail. However, shipping and handling includes more than the just cost of the postage---labor, transportation and cost of supplies are additional factors. If you have any questions about shipping costs, send an e-mail or give a call. |
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| | Marcy's Summer and Fall Schedule | American Sewing Guild National Convention
Sacramento, CA July 26 - 29, 2007
Come see Marcy and her sister Nandini (Katherine Tilton), in vendor booth 410.
Marcy will teach an all day workshop, Painting on Fusible Web, on Thursday, July 26. Other teaching topics include: The Everyday Creative's Closet and Where Did You Get That T-Shirt?
For more ASG Conference information | | | http://www.asg.org/html/conference.html |
| | Design Outside the Lines
Design Outside the Lines Taos
September 25-29, 2007
This retreat is full, waiting list only.
Design Outside the Lines
2008 Dates - Registration is now open
Santa Barbara at La Casa de Maria
February 4-8, 2008
Taos, New Mexico at Mabel Dodge Luhan House
September 25 - 29, 2008 | | | Click here for Design Outside the Lines Details | |
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| | | | | Original Sewing and Quilt Expo
Minneapolis, MN
November 8, 9 & 10
Sheraton Bloomington Hotel
Marcy will be a vendor and teacher at this event. |
| | HiddenParis
December 2-10, 2007
Come to Paris With Marcy
Design, Fashion, Art, Cuisine
with
Marcy Tilton and Shermane Fouche
December 2-10, 2007
8 magical, inspring and art-ful days in Paris | | | Click here for more info on HiddenParis Tour | | | |
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| | Cool Links | Paris Blog
Shermane Fouche has an intriguing new blog from Paris with new postings each week. Shermane's Paris Blog
http://parisstreetchic.blogspot.com/ |
| | Shermane Classes in Michigan in August
"Elements of Style - Color, Shape, Form, Texture and Transparency" A workshop with Shermane Fouche.
Saturday & Sunday, August 18-19, 2007
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Want to hear and feel "you always look so pulled together!"?Spend a few hours with Shermane Fouche. Shermane is a spirited American designer and style maven who lives in Paris and has a finely honed eye for what looks good on you or your customer. Shermane's experience, her love of simple fashion, eye for detail and ability to give feedback on what works best for each individual will translate into a fresh attitude toward what you wear, buy, sew, and design. Shermane incorporates your ideas with her fresh perspective giving you new tools to create and develope your own personal style.
For more information contact Mary Valerie Richter of the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild at
fibercats@comcast.net | |
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| | | | The Future of Sewing ?
A peek into the future of sharing and learning on the internet, this is one of the first video blogs on sewing from the next generation. My friend David Coffin pointed this out to me. | | http://www.threadbanger.com/ |
| American Chic Show at the De Young Museum in San Francisco
Coming this month to the De Young Museum in San Francisco, a show featuring the garments and style of San Francisco native, Nan Kempner.
Nan Kempner: American Chic displays nearly 75 of the thousands of ensembles and accessories she possessed. More than 25 of the garments are exclusive to the de Young exhibition. The late fashion editor and arbiter Diana Vreeland said, “There’s no such thing as a chic American woman…the one exception is Nan Kempner.” This exhibition displays Kempner’s seemingly effortless chic style and ability to mix designer labels and formal and informal clothes.
Information on Nan Kempner show at the De Young |
| | Finding Your Own Visual Language
FABULOUS!!! A new privately published book on the creative process that is at once practical and soul expanding. Finding Your Own Visual Language by Jane Dunnewold, Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan. Click on the link below for Jane's inspiring website with information on ordering this must-have book!
www.artclothstudios.com/ | |
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| | Summer Reading
Highly Recommended:
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