raiding the ragbag and sorting the stash

It was such a joy sharing with students from all over the planet in my first-ever online class (the Alchemist's Apron)  that I found myself dreaming up another one.

I know so many lovely dyers who simply cannot resist putting another morsel in the dyepot...and then    build up great mountains of delicious samples that rarely, if ever, see the light of day again. Which set me thinking.

It's time, my darlings.

Time to raid the ragbag for beloved discards from which you can harvest, and to sort out your stash and get ready to join pieces together to make fabulous frocks that are unique to YOU.

The class is called Conscious Clothing.  I'm literally dancing with excitement in my armchair about sharing my dressmaking tricks with y'all and I can't wait to see the gorgeous dresses that will be growing in the hands of makers around the whirled.

I've made the list of necessaries (and a wee video about dyeing while wandering) accessible to help you decide whether the class is for you. If you do dive in, the class is yours for life and there's also a Facebook sewing circle as extra support...the lovely thing is that you all bring so many skills to the table, and even though have a few reservations about FB, the fact remains that it is a very accessible means of connecting us all.

and as part of the first lesson, I've included a downloadable PDF of the wee pattern-cutting booklet I published (in a very limited edition of 100) some years ago. It contains the essence of how I make my clothes.

Will I see you there? I hope so.  At very least...do please click on the link above to read about the class. I'd love to know what you think of the idea.

humming happily

i'm humming along happily in New Orleans

as a guest of the Joan Mitchell Center

working on a project for an exhibition next year

under the supervision of an old friend

the silk for the project was a kind donation

from my longtime friends at Beautiful Silks

and i have the offer of back-up studio space at NOCCA 

through my lovely friend Nikki Jackson

+

one thing often

leads to another

 and when i need a break from stitching

music is never far away

later on, wandering home

i step into a flower shop

and am given another present

a twig of Eucalyptus polyanthemos

which, oddly enough

was just what i needed

 

the weaver of grass

since coming to Newburgh i've hardly been able to tear myself away from the river

but i went to Perth for a day

to see an exhibition at the Perth Museum and Gallery

'the weaver of grass'

the work of Angus McPhee

whose sad history can be read here

the works speak for themselves

 

there was a "touchable" sample at the exhibition

made by Joanne B Kaar

whose own work is also fascinating

i'd also like to add a virtual bouquet for the kind gentleman on the desk at the museum who, when i tottered in and inquired about the exhibition practically took me by the hand to lead me thither. what a sweetie.

good news for students

i've noticed a few people complaining of dry skin

and sore hands

from immersion in dyepots 

and learning how to tie brutally tight bundles

so

i began a conversation with my favourite supplier

of lovely balms

to enquire whether they might supply us with some small samples

am delighted to say their response was more than generous

AESOP

will be sending tubes of their lovely

Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

to be used by students in class

as well as

other sample packets of their gorgeous products

for me to pass on

so now our already fragrant workrooms

will smell even nicer

and

we can soothe our hard-working hands

at the end of the day

the manicurist's nightmare

Joy McCallister, participant of the St Louis workshop, kindly sent me some images from our week together
thought i might share
even though [like those of Lady Macbeth]
they'll ne'er be clean