I think that fiber artists can learn a lot from different fashion construction techniques – check out the spectacular tailoring on this jacket:

The stitching and construction almost turn it into a piece of sculpture.

How about the precise applique & piecing on these dresses:

Check out the fabulous fabric flowers on this piece!

I just came across a book that can help you master some of these very precise fiber art techniques.  “The Art of Manipulating Fabric” by Collette Wolff has detailed step-by-step instructions for creating advanced fabric surfaces.

The book is geared towards an intermediate or advanced artist, and provides years worth of techniques to master!

images: PicApp

disclaimer: Amazon.com link is not an affiliate link and I receive no benefits from it.

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Fiber art inspiration from the runways

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 imagine knitting a sweater on needles the thickness of a human hair?

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More goodies from “Coraline”

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…

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Do you know what “Koumpounophobia” is?

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 it’s definitely worthwhile checking out online!

The New York Times has a fascinating peak behind the curtain at the New York City Ballet’s costume department.  The ballet employs 17 full-time stitchers, not to mention the dye-master, shopper and shoe-makers!

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Fiber art news round-up

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 participants around the world to create leaves to contribute to the creation of the tree. In total I am looking for 30,000 leaves.

Your leaf can be fiber/fiber technique related. Example: you can think about the ecologically interdependence of societies and then think about recycling and reusing of materials. (Plastics, Old Fabric, etc.) You can be as creative as you will for what materials and techniches you use, you can paint, stitch, crochet, patch, quilt, knit, glue (water resistant glue), just keep a fiber twist to it in some way.

Each Leaf should measure roughly 2 1/2″ wide (at it’s thickest point) x 4 1/2″ from end to end. You do have the option to give it shape and dimension.”

Need some suggestions on creating your own leaves?

How about…

• Use plastic needlepoint canvas or cross-stitch paper and embroider leaves (need a pattern?  Here’s several free ones).
• Paint heavy weight, non-woven interfacing in leaf colors and cut them out – this would be a great way to make a lot of leaves!  Heavy weight interfacing is sturdy enough that you can even machine embroider it too.
• Crochet or knit leaves – I did this for an art quilt I made a few years ago.
• Fuse two fabrics together and cut out leaf shapes – this is another method that would work for machine embroidery.
• Paint water color paper and hand-embroider the edges of the leaf – this could be a great family project too.

image: Stock.xchg

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Call for participants – 30,000 fibre art leaves needed

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:

images: PicApp

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colorful inspiration from Milan’s fashion week

Check out some of the clothing from the show – there is some amazing technology combined with beautiful textiles – very cool!

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2nd Skin fashion show

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?

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more textile tours

“500 Wearable Art Pieces”

Doesn’t that sound amazing!

Just click on the link to get all the details & to submit your own work!

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artist submission for Lark Books

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

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fiber art inspiration from traveling