New York Fashion Week is in full swing right now which means that the designers are showing their best & brightest ideas (at least for this season!)
I think that fiber artists can learn a lot from different fashion construction techniques – check out the spectacular tailoring on this jacket:
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The stitching and construction almost turn it into a piece of sculpture.
How about the precise applique & piecing on these dresses:
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Check out the fabulous fabric flowers on this piece!
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I just came across a book that can help you master some …read more

I find movie-making fascinating – I guess that comes from helping with films, creating props for films, having family & friends that are film-makers…
There’s also the childhood that I spent sewing teensy-weensy little clothes, toys, quilts and even embroidering pillows for dolls and miniatures.  I like playing with little things like that!
I love seeing how things are done behind the scenes – for instance, check out how much work it is to create hair for a puppet from “Coraline”:

That reminds me of needle-felting…
Tangled Thread isn’t a knitting blog, but I find these little hand-knit sweaters to be incredibly enchanting:

Can you …read more

It’s the fear of buttons!

I’m a big-time fan of buttons… as we speak, I’ve got a big glass jar of vintage buttons sitting on my computer desk, not to mention the plastic tub that’s sitting next to me on my sewing table.
Scared of buttons?
Never!
Apparently some people are… and enough people that medicine actually needed to come up with a name for it.  Of course, after seeing “Coraline” yesterday, I can understand that more people may be creeped out by buttons than before.
It’s an amazing movie, but not for the faint-hearted…

There are just too many wonderful things happening out there – I just had to share them all!

image: Fiberarts
Fiberarts magazine is holding a Valentine’s Day postcard challenge.  You’ve got until January 15th to complete an original Valentine’s Day-themed art postcard and send it to their office.   There are three challenges and the winner could win some great goodies!
Check out this amazing online art exhibition: “Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota“.  It features 40 intricately adorned kimonos, with information about the different processes used to create them. The exhibition is only making two stops in North America, so …read more

I think this is such an amazing project – and a great way to try out some new fiber art techniques too!
“I am very pleased to announce the next project at hand for the 2008-2009 year for the International Fiber Collective.  The title of this sculpture is called Interdependence. We will create a full sized tree that will be on display in April 09′ at Big Springs International Park in Huntsville, AL.
Much like a live tree is interdependent on it’s leaves/roots for survival, like minded societies are interdependent on the greater whole, family units, communities, countries.
The collective is calling for …read more

I get a kick out of seeing what designers bring to fashion week – it’s a chance for them to show off their creations.
Now, I’m not sure how wearable these clothes are right now (which isn’t the point of fashion week anyhow) but they put a smile on my face, so I just had to share!
The collection shown here is from Agatha Ruiz De La Prada’s Spring & Summer 2009 collection:
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images: PicApp

Have you heard about the “2nd Skin: Imaginative Designs in Digital & Analog Clothing“?  It’s a runway fashion show at San Francisco’s Exploratorium this Friday night (but the entire collection will be on exhibit for the next five months).
Check out some of the clothing from the show – there is some amazing technology combined with beautiful textiles – very cool!

I knew I had heard about another tour company that specializes in textile tours!
Tactile Travel specializes in tours through Italy, especially for us fiber hounds

Their website also has goodies like podcasts, links to fiber sites in Italy… even a few photos.
So, when can I go?

Lark Books has put out an artist’s call for a new book in their “500″ series;
“500 Wearable Art Pieces”
Doesn’t that sound amazing!
Just click on the link to get all the details & to submit your own work!

I just found out about an amazing tour through parts of Europe, that focuses on embroidery & fiber art.
Which got me thinking – if there’s one company doing tours specifically for fiber artists, there’s got to be more, right?
Oh yes
Fiberarts Magazine has compiled a list of fantastic tours available.  There are trips to Japan,  (hand-embroidered kimonos!) Peru (hand-woven Inca artifacts!) or India (where do I start?)
Yes, I apologize.
I’ve added more things to your must do/see/spend money on list