1000 Artisan Textiles - revised!

I did a small post on this book earlier because I thought I should, being as I had been notified my 3 submissions were definately inside it. The initial post was before I'd seen the book, when I didn't take it seriously.

I picked my copy up today and OMG!

I feel like a pretender - the book is a high quality publication, beautifully presented, full of stunning work by acclaimed textile artisans from around the world.

Whoever put it together may have been desperate for pieces to fill gaps as I really don't think mine sits all that well with the caliber of work it sits beside.

I'm honoured and humbled and honestly can't believe it

...maybe I can

the Universe's at it again!

Thankyou!

THANKYOU
to everyone that came to hear what I had to say.

To those that came to hear about REinventing for the first time, to those that had before & did again and to those that were passing and couldn't resist.

It was the most rewarding 3days I've spent anywhere for a very long time.
The response has been phenomenal!

For me the interaction with the audience when doing the demonstrations and 'question time' were highlights.
For this lot of talks I had some handy props.
I managed to finish a couple of tops ready to wear for the event however discovered the shoe department lacking - I NEED tan boots that fit!

Day One
A top I made from scratch and embellished with others along the way.

Day Two
The bottom section of a linen dress which now has a strategically stitched rolled front neck and sleeves REpurposed from another top.
The skirt is a classic Origami made from denim.

The back is folded and stitched in place.

Day Three

The dress & cardy I've worn before however never together...or with pants.

I wasn't sure if I'd wear this newly REinvented crocheted cardy with the outfit on Day Three - glad I didn't.

I meant to dye it soft pink

Talk-fest!

Here we go again - only this time bigger and better!

Not only will I be standing there talking about what's possible I'll be demonstrating it, the audience have been invited to bring garments along for me to advise them on (one each please!) and the SALVOSs will be set up along-side so everyone can satisfy their REinventing appetites.

(click image for bigger)

Splice Skirts - a Pod

This skirt is the one garment in my wardrobe that still after 5yrs is guaranteed to get strangers talking to me about sewing.
It is also the skirt that made me wear skirts, as it's such a flattering, wearer friendly style.

I've never encouraged anyone to make it before, not because it's difficult, it's just time consuming, as precision is the key to its success and with it being at an Intermediate plus level on the Sewing Capabilities Scale it isn't for the faint-hearted either.

I'm introducing it as my first Sewing Pod.
A one day workshop dedicated to creating a Splice Skirt and guaranteed to have you wanting more.
Which brings me to the next exciting part of the 'pod' journey as it's my first commercially produced pattern with each student receiving one of their own because as I discovered, once you've made one you want 3!

Please email me if you are interested in joining us - jodypearl@westnet.com.au

In a Book

I've 3 felted pieces in this book so am looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.

My first ever real publication and ironic it's for felting not REinventing.
With winter on it's way and a lull in workshops for the next week I think I'll fire up the sander and spend a day or two felting....with maybe a quick trip south.

Asthma

Stella has had her first bout of Asthma for the year.
As alarming & disappointing as this was (I had flash-backs to last year) it was when she came home from the doctors loaded up with 2 different types of ventalin & steriods that I decided enough is enough!

We started in the bedroom - literally removing everything and starting again.

She now has a new bed - no longer the Ikea loft bed with desk.
The loft-bed allowed her to accumulate loads of stuff, due to extra floor space and the desk, being essentially just a large flat surface, attributed to piles of crap.

New bed + more effective storage + less stuff = easier to keep clean, which I'm hopeful will mean better breathing & less drugs.
It also equates to happier times because I'm not going off my head every other day about the mess.
Another reason to be joyous is that all that 'stuff' is off tothe swap-meet next Sunday where she hopes to boost the travelling-fund - we've promised a trip to Port Fairy later in the year.

Happy Easter!

I'd like to share this message I received in an email this morning because I couldn't say it better,

'Happy Easter, may it have whatever importance you place on it - in abundance!'

a Good Example

I hadn't worn this Tunic for at least a year.
It spends most of it's life in suit bags travelling from Fashion Talks to Workshops, as it's one of my favourite examples of REinventing

It proves that you can't make a mistake
when you listen to your intuition.

Bought from the Oppy as Fishermans Pants I had every intention of turning them into a skirt - using the fold-over contrasting top section as the feature on the skirt.
I was a tad dismayed when I discovered that the contrasting turn-over section, which was to sit around my hips/waist, was most definately not going to do me any favours - my tummy doesn't need highlighting with more bulk!

So I walked away - a REinventing tool I advocate strongly.

Upon my return I lifted the garment and I liked what I saw - it was going to work much better as a top bit than a bottom bit.

So with armholes strategically placed and some manipulating with folds & tucks I created a garment that I'm still wearing on occassion 5yrs later.

Pulling this out the other day also reminded me that there is nothing fashionable about REinventing - making clothes this way expresses who you are on a much deeper level.

Oh yeah, another thought, if you start with quality that's what you'll end up with...