Politics

Of fabric, that is.

Now I could be completely off here, but I like to think that I've got a pretty good knack for knowing how to use fabric. To me, fabric has personality and a specific type will lend itself to one design versus another. For instance, material with a lot of drape will lend itself to designs with a lot of flow to them. More stiff material, like corduroy for example, seems to be best for more structured or fitted garments. Not only will the fabric's feel be a determining factor in what style of design it would best be used for, but the print may also be an indicator of what the end result of a garment should or could look like. Of course this isn't absolute. When it comes down to it, you can do whatever you want with fabric and it may or may not work. I've been known to use home decor material to make skirts. However, even in crossing over the "genres of fabric," I still try to make sure that what I produce is a good representation.

Since I'm always working with fabric, I think about this often. However, it was fresh on my mind the other day when I got my latest bag of gifted fabric. Around here at one particular Goodwill stores, it's like family affair. Many of the patrons (including myself) go there so often that over time we all came to know each other and know about each other. This is how I came to be familiar with a mother/daughter Goodwill frequenting pair. The mother, who's an elder, was thrilled to know that young people (such as myself) have an interest in making clothes.

I get these sentiments often from older people (and really people in general) and never really know quite how to respond. Sewing is like breathing to me, and I don't make a difference between the generations of seamstresses. However, it makes me happy that they're happy that I sew. :-)

So as I was saying, two yrs. ago they became aware of my interest in sewing and informed me that they had a whole bunch of fabric stashed away from over the years and that they'd like to give me some from time to time. Each of the dresses seen here was produced from fabric they gave me, with the first dress being from the most recent bunch. Now, these aren't necessarily fabrics that I'd go in the store and buy myself, but it's not because I don't like them. It really only has to do with me being drawn to plain solids or solids with some texture to them or fabrics with subtle designs on them. I'll stand and look at and hold a busily printed fabric for the longest in admiration of how beautiful or interesting it is. Sometimes I'll even get a sample just because I love it so much and could use it for inspiration. Usually, though, I won't purchase enough to make a garment. (And I say usually because sometimes I do.) Regardless I love to get fabric as a gift and always make it a point to take what people do give me (which is always good, quality fabric...elders always have the good stuff) and use them in a manner that I think would best suit the fabric's characteristics. Another reason I'm thinking of all this is because these two ladies have never seen anything I've made from the fabrics they've given me. I never have physical pictures of my work. Today I'm gonna make it a point to get some of these printed out so they can have an idea of what I'm doing with what they give me.



And while I'm on a roll posting pictures of long dresses, yesterday I finished up one similar to the black one I did recently.

donna empire style dress
(large-xlarge)

It's really cold this morning, and all I wanna do is be wrapped up in my bed. Plus, my throat has been acting crazy these last few days. I thought I was gonna die in my sleep last nigh from an extended coughing spell. I'm convinced this came from my guy who I had to nurse back to health last week. Thankfully, though, he didn't pass all that ickiness on to me. I only got the scratchy throat, and that isn't really that bad. Nothing a lil mullein tea won't cure....just gotta go get some.

But it's so cooooooold outside!

peace