In 2003, someone asked me if I would be willing to take the notions and fabric from her mother in law’s haberdashery. The shop closed temporarily when she had a health problem, never to open again. They were remodeling and just wanted all of this carefully stored inventory to disappear – and be appreciated.
The only caveat? I must take everything.
Two station wagon trips later, my Via Volta studio was full of notions and fabric. With friends, we dissected this treasure trove, giving away, selling, and enjoying for ourselves everything from embroidery floss to shoulder pads, silk velvet to snaps.
My old stomping grounds on Via Volta, Monza
Those were wonderful days! When I left Monza, my fabric and yarn friends made me a wonderful scrapbook of those days. During my March Madness painting spree, I enjoyed paging through this wonderful work of love. But I digress…
I’ve made incredible progress on this gift, but it makes sense to #payitforward again. Here’s a list of the notions and fabric I’d like to give to another creative soul or business.
I’m giving it away, and it’s definitely something that can fit into a small car (it’s about 2 medium moving boxes). I ask that you enjoy, make beautiful things and perhaps consider donating to Follow Your Art Community Studios in Melrose if you are able.
Leave a comment below, or find my on Instagram or Twitter so we can arrange delivery. Everything’s been in boxes for more than a month (kind of like me!), so the quarantine time for textiles has passed.
Mihoko learned Saori technique while still in Japan, bringing her skills with her to Worcester in 2000. Founded in the 1970’s by Misao Jo, the Saori Weaving philosophy seeks to establish a worldwide movement to
weave and learn together in search of our true, hidden selves.
The practice encourages everyone to:
Consider the differences between machine and hand made
Be bold and adventurous
Look out through eyes that shine
Inspire one another and everyone in the room.
Mihoko brought the portable Saori Loom for demonstration
I’ve admired weaving and weavers for years, but kept my toes “out of the water.” When Mihoko opened up the Saori loom, I felt myself tiptoeing closer. Oh, I could have all the fun I want with this loom and it wouldn’t dominate any space in my house.
With my winter focus on the Master Knitter Level 3 portfolio, most of my free time has been dedicated to fitting into tightly defined parameters. This soul needs opportunities to wander and explore. A Saori weaving day will be in my future, perhaps with other Codders?
I still need to finish the last written details and pattern checking on my Master Knitter portfolio, but it’s very near completion…
I honestly thought that the portfolio would have shipped last week and had signed up for a free Pebeo demonstration at the Fenway Dick Blick store on Saturday. There was a bit of internal discussion… don’t go, focus on the portfolio…go, didn’t you learn anything at the Saori talk last night? You are so ready for a shot of creative playfulness. I’m so glad I did.
Tristina Dietz-Elmes led the group through 2 hours of possibilities using some of the new multi media. She shared a few of the results on her Instagram DietzArt account. As you know, I’ve enjoyed using Pebeo setacolor on silk and cotton since my days in the Castelli Romani. The session opened whole new playful doors. I had a great time watching Tristina mix, dip and dabble. As one who loves textiles, most of the mixed media products would send me into other creative zones, but that’s ok. Pebeo’s mixed media line allows acrylics to mix with resin or reactive paints. And they have new liquid resin panels where you can pour, stir, spread and watch cool things happen.
Wow! What a shot of energy that was for my compartmentalized black and white knitting soul. It gave me great energy for Sunday’s session with StitchMastery and assorted reference books. Can’t wait to play with the Pebeo Mixed Media line some sunny evening soon.
Drip, drip, drip…
A lifelong avid reader, a doodler and occasional journal writer, my book attraction has broadened over the past few years.
Drip… While working at the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, I loved the insights and discoveries of Anne Marie Eze, who at the time was a curatorial fellow (she’s become part of the curatorial staff since then). Mrs. Gardner was a dedicated book connoisseur before she launched into other art forms. Anne Marie brings the cultural background of many books to life as she explores the collection.
Drip… Pam Parmel mentioned the embroidered caskets collection at the Museum of Fine Arts during her talk at the Common Cod Fiber Guild in 2012. As a member of the Textile and Costume Society, I had the chance to observe more of these incredible works, learning that many book binding techniques were used to assemble the pieces.
Drip… Stacie Dolan published Book Art Studio Handbook and I started thinking about all of the opportunities to mix my love of textiles with book binding.
Drip… An email from the Folk Art Museum leads me to a very cool way kit, which I just have to share on Twitter.
: V Cool gift idea: Book binding kit (I know you need a new craft idea) http://t.co/GjhMsJKnEd from @FolkArtMuseum 1:15pm, Dec 13 from HootSuite
FolkArtMuseum: @Tactile_Travel Our staff loves that kit. What sort of book do you think you’d make? 3:09pm, Dec 13 from Web
Long pause. I don’t know. I just want to try the putting together. No idea about the content.
Peg and Awl lead you through the book binding process with their Anselm kit.
My darling hub gave me the kit for Christmas. As I attempt to stay focused on completing the master knitter portfolio, I can’t dip in just yet (however, I keep a stack of books on the topic near my bedside table!).
Today’s Writer’s Almanac (January 22, 2014) gave me direction on the book inspiration. It is enough by Anne Alexander Bingham. Add this to my collection of cherished poems.
Time to develop my book. I wonder how that paper will handle being stitched….
