Cyndi Souder, Lynda Prioleau, Kathy Lincoln
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could combine the activities we love and then spend time sharing them with friends?
I’m a big fan of tea. No, not drowning a teabag in a mug of hot water; I mean tea in a china cup with delicate munchies and wonderful friends with whom to share it all.
I’m also a big fan of special clothes. I love clothes, but I have a hard time finding things that I think look good on me while being appropriate. I think Stacy and Clinton (You know who I mean!) would have a field day in my closet.
When my friend Judy Gula of Artistic Artifacts started talking about offering clothing patterns in her shop, I was very interested. I started sewing a very, very, very long time ago by making a pink short sleeved dress with a stand up collar embellished with a floral ribbon. Honestly! I continued to sew until I realized that I liked quiltmaking more. Flat is easier to sew, believe me. Now I think it’s time to revisit that decision and try to find time to make some of my own pieces.
Judy rolled out her new program, which she calls Artistic Couture, a little while ago with a tea and pattern party. Many of us made garments for the occasion and I managed to create a top. The pants and jacket are off the rack, and the top represents more un-sewing than I’ve done on one project for a long time.
The pattern is the Mimosa Top from The Sewing Workshop Collection. It’s sleeveless and comfortable. It should have been really easy to make, but I’m clearly out of practice. Okay, details. The fabric is a lightweight rayon from Britex in San Francisco, purchased ages ago. Great drape, nice hand. The band that forms the neckline is made from ombre silk (brown to black), pintucked and topstitched — and bought that way from Bohemian Elements last year at the Houston show. The silk wasn’t wide enough, of course, so I had to figure out how to piece it while maintaining the little rows of tucks. Sigh. More ripping commenced. I added length to the front and back and will probably sew the fronts together (eliminating potential gaps and slippage) before I wear it again. All in all, I like it and I’ll use it. And I’ll probably go on to make something else. It was fun.
And, yes, I know that’s the face my grandmother warned against making, lest it freeze that way. Sorry, Nana!
Great Post Cyndi!! I love your top. I think that this will be a great opportunity for all of us and anyone who wants to creat some special garments for themselves that really speak about who they are as artists and people!! I am very excited about the whole deal!!
See you soon!
elizabeth
Elizabeth, I couldn’t agree more! I always find unusual and wonderful things at Artistic Artifacts. Now if I could just find some more time…
I wish I lived closer to Artistic Artifacts and you all! I should take a stab at some close-making…like you ~ I used to do it all the time. Looks fabulous!
Kathleen, you could come visit! Judy’s website (www.ArtisticArtifacts.com) is full of fun stuff, but the store has to be experienced. She’ll have a booth in Houston this year. Will you be there again this year?
So this is what all SWMBO’s work was for… very interesting. She disappears into her workshop and show me the end results… but now I understand the bigger picture. It looks like you all had fun. It appearst the hardest part is deciding which tea to drink, Earl Grey, Orange Peko or a nice Tazo?