Textile Show: Spring & Summer 2009

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWP8vJaq6EluFgm-6E0e2Ziy6RvCn_3FkmAmCpYH7dYHyGQYCDTsNBH_ODrGkvdFZjVWSGTOmxg3BxgVFDqlwyKyun0iYJ5pg173p7YnodSQyLdczEfzTtedsyiFuMy1QKBzhzksNDP9i/s1600-h/R.Kaufman.2008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190361982924504066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWP8vJaq6EluFgm-6E0e2Ziy6RvCn_3FkmAmCpYH7dYHyGQYCDTsNBH_ODrGkvdFZjVWSGTOmxg3BxgVFDqlwyKyun0iYJ5pg173p7YnodSQyLdczEfzTtedsyiFuMy1QKBzhzksNDP9i/s400/R.Kaufman.2008.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div>We went to the L.A. International Textile Show this week. We were hoping to locate our cotton manufacturers and others there, which we did. There were more natural fiber and organic producers than ever. It's no longer 'impossible' to find the more odd bamboo and organic cottons these days, more manufactureres are out there now.<br /><br /></div><div>Since we were looking for cottons and patterns that have a vintagey feeling, we gravitated towards those companies we know well: Robert Kaufman, Michael Miller, and Alexander Henry. Where once these companies provided mostly ditzy prints for quilters, they are now hot on the trail of the craft and sewing trends. </div><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190361978629536754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWGly1774AnUq81cEm9cKPO8fCnBVd7siStC4_ylvDn6lED_I2CHp2vQm2IXsvWhcOjhjwknhGhgjw2b8O4Q7SHqu8Oxl1QhK2k3mhr9o1yD7_dEVkS4MyddjO3axgB3xPrt8BnTxOgoH/s400/michael+miller.2008.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>We were overwhelmed by the flood of gorgeous prints that are too numerous to show here, but overall, it looks good for fashion and craft sewing in Spring/Summer 1009. Along with vintage inspired patterns, we found the up and coming 'shadow' prints and nature designs so popular at the indy level these days. </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190361970039602146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERDxSLMXsG8GP766Lo2M2s3hHDrq889eWPFPFZwwP-uk9DQp4DTuWHibbKs5h9UmnFaSHHNDaR2aOu90KpvOSHHThZ5GQ6v3jOUIgV6nd3VfoDENQQkwQ5EP_P0qlvTiTDQpFtOgTiQAX/s400/alex.+henry.2008.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><br /></div><div>Shadow prints are those designs that have a simple flat background printed with single-tone shadow graphics (no outlines or shading to the image). These are 'flat on flat' in appearance. This trend comes from the crude beginings of stenciled designs and single-color silk screen prints first produced by indy artists and designers several years back.</div><div> </div><div><br>Fabric Collages: top: Robert Kaufman, middle: Michael Miller with Frency interior insert, bottom: Alexander Henry.</div><div><br /></div>

Textile Show: Spring & Summer 2009

We went to the L.A. International Textile Show this week. We were hoping to locate our cotton manufacturers and others there, which we did. ...

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An Apron to go with everything

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPkNBqwHf2scw01LlyCzaMjgtutzhD4vlfAl9KNVWoTwZJLVCyqRSLe4ORuHodyXutr_XvBQWD3xCXHDv_B9O_hCBIuT0h9Si3wXKil1mZ_aLq3VqxvLodRhkEeDHNwqrEz0Tp3tO0QFC/s1600-h/001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185768155166915138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPkNBqwHf2scw01LlyCzaMjgtutzhD4vlfAl9KNVWoTwZJLVCyqRSLe4ORuHodyXutr_XvBQWD3xCXHDv_B9O_hCBIuT0h9Si3wXKil1mZ_aLq3VqxvLodRhkEeDHNwqrEz0Tp3tO0QFC/s400/001.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />It's been awhile since aprons were on the scene. When last spotted, they were gracing lithe young mommies whipping up Betty Crocker brownies. Now they are low slung and sassy. Whether worn for protection (oh my, better cover my silk shirtwaist) or decoration, an apron can spice up any outfit.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa2TNitTyM_dZKc_LxrRqSox05IFBgiZRscFIWSxdh6GhCE1aJGun_p9cV17sbh7VJKc5aIezsH6aoo6y2TjAsJyauZTAMsD0ieMoeBHWAVDJC8xmZTndHtuN6z_nxJfq2vsAI_LGFHsL/s1600-h/004.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185766329805814322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa2TNitTyM_dZKc_LxrRqSox05IFBgiZRscFIWSxdh6GhCE1aJGun_p9cV17sbh7VJKc5aIezsH6aoo6y2TjAsJyauZTAMsD0ieMoeBHWAVDJC8xmZTndHtuN6z_nxJfq2vsAI_LGFHsL/s400/004.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div>These aprons date from 1966, yet they are so 1950's in style. We love the ginghan check look, so full of Americana, homey and perky, don't you think? Each sports a nifty pocket for kleenex and imaginative boders of rick-rack and hand sewn cross-stitching. It wouldn't be too difficult to capture this same effect with several colors of rick-rack alone, creating a great did-it-myself look to a modest creation.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Sewing an apron is also a great way to get familiar with your sewing machine. Few things are easier to sew-and hey, all the seam lines are straight! Generations of junior high girls whipped them up in their home ec. classes through the 1970's (before moving on to their second semester cooking class, where the apron would actually prove to be useful). So get creative and sew one up soon.<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div>

An Apron to go with everything

It's been awhile since aprons were on the scene. When last spotted, they were gracing lithe young mommies whipping up Betty Crocker brow...

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Don Loper & a Green Silk Jacket

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u7I2chqIXuQa1TdvsSyXUV-0Uac5oJGoWr9TIpeJwypr2HCaVwRy2IBvHZNd-aFRL3AsFDutZKYBAchdUnVdCrtRlsb4ZFRs0cePkYg-WVHQKc7C2lbKYQj50zkw37fRkI9u8jAT8JP-/s1600-h/don+loper.green+jacket.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="446" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184899480851429858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u7I2chqIXuQa1TdvsSyXUV-0Uac5oJGoWr9TIpeJwypr2HCaVwRy2IBvHZNd-aFRL3AsFDutZKYBAchdUnVdCrtRlsb4ZFRs0cePkYg-WVHQKc7C2lbKYQj50zkw37fRkI9u8jAT8JP-/s400/don+loper.green+jacket.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 378px" width="384" /></a> This jacket is worthy of a complete stop in converation. An open mouth gape at the pure luxury and blatant exhibitionism of the collar.<br /><br /><br />It encircles the neck like a scluptured cape. With dramatic notches far back near the shoulder seam line, it is truely regal in the crown shape of the crescent shaped roll line around the shoulders.<br /><br /><br />This masterpiece was designed by Don Loper. Probably better known now for his appearance on "I Love Lucy" during the mid-1950's, where he presents a showcase of his fashions, and poor Lucy is morose, unable to wear fashion, having a severe sun burn.<br /><br /><br />Don Loper had a brief career as an actor during the previous decade. His resume reads like a survey of TV and film positions. There was little in Hollywood that Loper didn't give a try to.<br /><br /><br />But it is the glamorous fashions he created that put his name on the map. Working with the best textiles, he demonstrated a skill and understanding far beyond what might be expected from someone with a lack of training or mentorship.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4feixFWsX6f-qpGRVd08lu2YEO1Kd57-S4OSzFlZCe6W30lulC3Wqgi5TrGeYbiku1BGDxWPVOQrGK1I54nE0GjJjs0m8PG2Cn5HOdSNYnzaX3BV6JGcEQTVtp0h6J6nMlXKcLq87aio_/s1600-h/don+loper.+green+jacket.back.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="462" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184899480851429874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4feixFWsX6f-qpGRVd08lu2YEO1Kd57-S4OSzFlZCe6W30lulC3Wqgi5TrGeYbiku1BGDxWPVOQrGK1I54nE0GjJjs0m8PG2Cn5HOdSNYnzaX3BV6JGcEQTVtp0h6J6nMlXKcLq87aio_/s400/don+loper.+green+jacket.back.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 378px" width="407" /></a><br /><br />This simple green jacket, with its small bodice and 3/4 length sleeves from the mid-1950's departs from the norm in a way that sets it apart from just about any other jacket of its era.<br /><br /><br />To copy this would be quite a challenge, but the result might be fantastic.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOSqRK-SDU702K_cFQnZfS4rlgktXj1bQzX3C7vPcDei5pfEMNrtoxZTeb4Sv3Ae5OUXZPdXUfINIgzqeDb3c4d5u7HeNGMHrcgUJRi3SCndiGHFZngDpmHzERHsLWrNXxUm6htSVEjZy/s1600-h/don+loper.label.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="171" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184899485146397186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOSqRK-SDU702K_cFQnZfS4rlgktXj1bQzX3C7vPcDei5pfEMNrtoxZTeb4Sv3Ae5OUXZPdXUfINIgzqeDb3c4d5u7HeNGMHrcgUJRi3SCndiGHFZngDpmHzERHsLWrNXxUm6htSVEjZy/s400/don+loper.label.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" width="314" /></a>

Don Loper & a Green Silk Jacket

This jacket is worthy of a complete stop in converation. An open mouth gape at the pure luxury and blatant exhibitionism of the collar. It ...

Read more »