Warning: private human body parts are depicted in yarn (be aware if clicking on links)
sorry guys but it IS alt craft month after all - this is stubby stanly by knit goddess and is a modified version of beanis from the anticraft
Natural Dyes (Textiles Handbooks)
This in an interesting technical guide to natural dyeing. Lots of information in one place - with extensive info on mordants and dyestuffs as well as some information on the process, materials and health and safety. The bonus is that the second half of the book has sample boards of the different dyestuffs used on various materials and used with different mordants.
My only complaint (well two really) I am not exactly sure about the accuracy of the colours, some pages seem to dark or dull or else overly bright - and as this is a book giving examples of what various plant dyes look like this is a bit of a downer. Another annoying thing - is what appears to be a design fault with a printing error at the top of every page.
Note cards made with just one simple punch. - After the frustration of shopping and the seemly high price of each component I needed to make a few note cards, I challenged myself to make cards using common things I had, a black pen, glue stick, a hole punch and flower shape punch and gathering things I usually throw away, junk mail and sample paint chips.
I started with a simple design. Using junk mail to punch out flower shapes. It is surprising what a cute flower chicken nuggets can make.
tech knitting has a gauge tutorial
knitting on impulse her own pattern - an experiment in garter stitch, modular construction, short row shaping, and incorporating handpainted yarn into a sweater that fit my fashion aesthetic.
so much yarn Garter Mug Cozies from Interweave Knits Holiday 2007. I used up a bunch of cashmerino scrapes…and because of the shape of the mug I did a little decreasing…that didn’t really work out and turned out was not really necessary. But whatever…it is fine. Keep the coffee warm, that’s it job! -
knitting tattoo [via craftzine]
from the Texas 5th annual Stitch Fashion Show and Craft Bazaar [stitch tastic]
superbowl hat from dogged knits
this is a modified version of the zodiac pattern from knitty by Jacquelyn Landry
This quilt was inspired by an article in the New Yorker magazine about recycling steel. The picture accompanying the article showed a wall of crunched steel packed together that immediately brought to (my) mind a stack of wrinkled fabric.
After years of sewing I have an enormous stash of fabrics and this after many many spring cleanings and purgings. There are always pieces I can’t part with because I know I’ll use them. Someday.
I started by cutting/tearing rectangles out of a linen like fabric I had plenty of, to use as the backing fabric. I don’t like measuring or cutting. I prefer to tear fabric. I love the rough unfinished edge of it. After I tore a small pile of them, roughly the same size rectangles, I grabbed whatever fabric was at the top of the pile, tore it to the approximate length of the linen rectangle and started sewing it to one edge of the rectangle right side up, as a starting point.
I then folded the fabric over the stitched edge and sewed down another seam very close to the first stitching, creating a flap, making an effort not to sew a straight line and angling the fabric at one end.
I wanted this to be rough and wrinkly and it took some trial and error but I finally hit on a sewing technique that gave me that wrinkled surface I was after. As I sewed down each “flap” I not only angled but created creases by pulling the fabric one way, sewing a little ways and then pulling it another way and continuing the stitch. This crooked line created little “ditches” that were perfectly wrinkled once I turned the flaps down.
Each flap was ironed down after sewing with the flaps concealing the previous sewn line. Then a new piece of fabric was sewn underneath the previous flap so on and so on until the entire rectangle was covered with these wrinkled uneven flaps. I then ironed them all down and trimmed off the edges.
I call it Intoxicated Sewing. It was amusing to me how difficult it was to sew in this manner. All those years of trying to sew straight careful lines could not be banished as easily as I’d thought but once I got the feel for it, it was very liberating.
Once I had enough rectangles to sew together, I laid them out being careful not to place the same fabrics next to each other. I sewed them together right side to wrong side, as I didn’t want a normal seam which would have created too much bulk with all that folded over fabric and like I said, I like the rough edges. I started with the top row and sewed the other four rows in the same manner and then sewed those together to form the quilt. I could have sewed on a backing and maybe I will but I like all the wacky stitches in the back and since this will be hung and not laid on a bed or used in any other way, the back is fine the way it is. I’ve also considered whittling down some of my trimmings stash and adding it to the mix but I think I’m done. For now.
About the maker: Yolande blogs at hand and spirit studio, she sews, knits, makes jewelry and is currently painting her house. She is working on a new website to somehow contain it all.
crochet from plastic shopping bags - I love the colours used here - really nice version of this type of bag - by the knit nurse
Knit.101: The Indispensable Self-Help Guide to Knitting and Crochet (Vogue Knitting)
My initial reaction to this book was that it is trying a little too hard - the patterns are just slightly unusual enough to not really appeal to a wide audience, yet not quirky enough to appeal to the young/hip/punk audience. They sit uncomfortably somewhere in between. (Also I found myself really annoyed by ‘K.1′ appearing in most of the patterns.)
However getting all of that out of the way - there is a small audience of groovy teens or quirky dressers who will love this book. Also it has some really good basic instructions (illustrations and photographs) that are pitched at the beginner. The projects also take you through the various steps, beginning at easy and moving on to more difficult patterns. The first project in the book - is in fact a bulky scarf titled ‘guy’s scarf’, strangely modeled by a half naked man pretending to knit with gigantic needles. As more advanced stitches are explained and illustrated the projects and patterns are appropriate to the knowledge gained.
As mentioned above this book does have more than your average awful projects (knitted clock and oversized cowl neck sweater for example). But sometimes unusual can be good, like the novelty laced up leggings and the pedicure socks (pictured), I also really liked the shape of the cropped sweater (not sure about the intarsia guitar sweater though).
The first half of the book is knitting the second half crochet, and as with the knitting half, knowledge is not assumed. Again there are some hideous projects here (mesh poncho) but equally some fun ones too (cat toys and crochet felted checker board - pictured below).
Overall, this is a book with not too serious projects but some serious instructions. Appeal more to a younger audience.
‘My World: The New Subjectivity in Design’ Featuring the work of Alison Willoughby, Danny Brown, Committee, Doshi Levien, Neutral, Peter Traag, Wok Media (this review is limited to Alison Willoughby – 10 Skirts) at Pratt Manhattan Gallery (finishes Feb 23)
photo courtesy of Zacheta National Gallery
Alison Willoughby did her BA in Glasgow in Printed and Knitted textiles from 1996-1999 and her MA in London at The Royal College of Art in Mixed Media Textiles from 1999-2001, where she completed her dissertation on the kilt. Study of the Gaelic garment eventually led her to the circle skirt, a simple garment made from just one perfect circle. Lain flat, Willoughby saw this as a canvas for applying materials: badges, pins, pieces cut from fabric, silkscreens. When a circle is cut out of the middle of the original large circle, the flat canvas suddenly becomes a 3 dimensional wearable object even without subsequent shaping – a skirt.
Her approach is perfectly illustrated by the piece “One”, a 3’ tall stack of fabric circles cut from old bedspreads, shirtings, batting, corduroy, twills – all skirts-to-be:
photo courtesy of Zacheta National Gallery
This piece reveals the underlying concept of the 10 skirts in the exhibition (a part of “My World: The New Subjectivity in Design” at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery), which are hung from the ceiling of the gallery, all the better to witness Willoughby’s penchant for layering more than one circle for a petticoat effect.
Embellishment is what really sets her skirts apart, and she frequently carries the circle theme through by creating concentric circles of colored pin badges, or by sewing on smaller circles of fabric, or by sewing on other shapes of fabric in circles.
49 Sensational Skirts: Creative Embellishment Ideas for One-of-a-kind Designs
The show at the Pratt gallery is a nice opportunity to see her work in person, but Alison Willoughby doesn’t just want you to see her work – she wants you to make it yourself. Her new book, 49 Sensational Skirts compiles some of her ideas and techniques and makes them friendly to the home crafter – even to those with no sewing experience.
While first and foremost a book about embellishing skirts, the book does include a basic circle-skirt paper pattern, a glossary of sewing materials and simple machine techniques, and complete information on making or applying closures (ties, snaps, and clips). She also includes a tutorial on silkscreening, transfer foiling, and fusible webbing. The projects range from simple embellishment that can be done in a matter of hours to those involving hundreds of folded fabric pieces sewn closely together in geometric patterns.
Though she gives clear instructions on reproducing her designs, one thing that rings clear throughout is Willoughby’s desire that people make the skirts their own. She encourages the use of second hand ready-made skirts as a basic canvas and of being creative with embellishment. Though all of her ideas and the color photography illustrating them provide inspiration for wearable skirts with a strong sense of individuality, she wants you to use them as a point of departure for your own explorations.
Read more: Recent interview with Alison at Whip Up
To celebrate Alt Crafting month - win a copy of Alison’s book by leaving a comment here answering the following questions: (comments will close Sunday Midnight)
what is the most innovative way you have decorated/embellished an outfit?
If you decorated/embellished an outfit such as in the vein of one of Alison Willoughby’s skirts would you want to wear it or hang it on the wall?
as seen on happy things - love love these
The American Craft Council to Present 25 Searchlight Artists at The American Craft Show in Baltimore February 19-24, 2008
14 emerging artists nominated by the nation’s leading universities, museums and galleries will make their debut at the show in a stunning new gallery space. The work of Searchlight Artists will be presented together in two separate gallery sections of the show: 10 will present at the Wholesale Show (open to the trade only, February 19-21, 2008) and 15 will present at the Retail Show (open to the public, February 22-24, 2008), both at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Our investment in bringing these striving artists from across the country and their work to market –some for the very first time – is a means to further promote the understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft. We look forward to the contributions this particular group of artists will make in years to come.
Artists include: Tanya Aguiniga, Stephanie Dearmond, Hisano Takei, Megan Auman, Maggie Casey, Chase De Forest, Andy Paiko, Elizabeth Perkins, Lacey Jane Roberts, Munemitsu Taguchi.
Stephanie DeArmond: Ceramics
Megan Auman: Chair from living room - powder-coated steel 35″ x 23″ x 27″ 2006
Lacey Jane Roberts: cold world, knitting
Whip Up is now taking article and tutorial submissions.
We are looking for tutorials and submissions that fit within our feel - read our Manifesto for more information.
We are looking for thematic articles and tutorials to fit within the months themes - see monthly themes below - but also timely articles outside of these themes will be considered such as exhibition and pattern reviews, craft memes, fun, frivolous and extreme ideas, etc that cannot wait and do not fit within the theme.
Submissions now being accepted for January, February and March 2008
- February: Alternative crafting
- March: Toys (changed theme for March)
- April: Home
To learn more about how to submit an article read the submission guidelines here
ps. What is alternative craft? Making unconventional choices (materials + methods); taking different approaches to the problem, not conforming to accepted rules or standards; out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird.
pattern at through the loops
from press release:
New Section at the Baltimore Show to Feature 15 Emerging Artists New York, NY (February 1, 2008) – The American Craft Council has opened the doors of its most prestigious show, The American Craft Show in Baltimore, to the New Wave Craft community – artists typically labeled ‘indie’ as they usually exhibit and sell their work at small local craft shows.
The Council invited 300 artists of the national New Wave Craft community to apply to a special section of the show: out of 100 applications, 15 have been juried in. Their handmade items are varied and include: lampshades made out of cocktail umbrellas; colorful adult and children’s clothing made out of vintage and reclaimed fabrics such as sheets, drapes, table linens, and lace; and jewelry incorporating Barbie parts; among others.
Amy of Soda will be there
caption: robot girl with handle, item # cl-106, celadon center and clear glazed porcelain cup with etched design [left]
ciahats [right]
Margaux Lange [smile ring]
[cylinder moka pot] circa ceramics
by lisa at steal this sweater I am pretty much in awe of how fabulous this sweater/skirt combo is. WOW! link
Part of our alt craft month we will be bringing you ideas, inspiration and patterns that might be considered ‘alternative crafting’ that is crafts that fit within: Making unconventional choices (materials + methods); taking different approaches to the problem, not conforming to accepted rules or standards; out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird. if you have some ideas or want to contribute email me whipup[at]gmail.com
this crochet uno dress won the Craftster Total Board Game Re-vamp Challenge, by kitty creates - there is no pattern but she explains how she made it at ravelry. First, I hole punched the Uno cards (invest in a good hole puncher for this, or your hands will hurt). Then I made half double crochets around the edges, making 3 in each corner, then joining and making another row of hdc’s. …
caption: “Pressure Cooker / Tower “, which is in Quilt National ‘07 and on the cover of the Quilt National book.
Susan Shie of Wooster, OH, is a well-known quilt artist and teacher, yet she considers herself to be an “Outsider” artist, her work lying “outside” the circles of traditional painting and quilting. Her earlier quilts were funkily stitched and highly embellished ” … huge amounts of hand sewing … lots of tiny glass beads. It took many months to finish most of my pieces then.” Her recent painted quilts emphasize storytelling with the visual embellishment of stream-of-consciousness diary writing. “… now the sewing has become secondary to the painted composition. The detail created by my airpen writing and drawing intrigues the viewer, and … the tiny writing itself makes a new texture, which … doubles as pattern.”
Katrina Blues
Susan Shie, well-known Outsider quilt artist and teacher, will speak about her work at the February meeting of the Textile Study Group of New York. Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 Time: 7 PM
read more here about her work
WILMA “PEACE VOODOO”
new feature to Indie Fixx called Tutorial Tuesday - and the companion Tutorial Tuesday flickr group. Join and share photos of your projects based on the tutorials from Tutorial Tuesday. post your image from any Tutorial Tuesday project to the Tutorial Tuesday flickr group before March 12th for your chance to win the following book: Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Lacy Crochet published by Chronicle Books.
Karin from orangeflower and Juliette from chickpeastudio have teamed up to create this pattern for a cute and simple crochet basket.
all things original- a shopping website that
launched in November 07 and features established and up-and-coming designers
from across the UK.
Check out the annual Brighton craft fair (renamed MADE 08 this year) a very high quality fair with designer / makers selling direct to the public. currently calling for entries for fair dates 21 - 23 november 2008.
this is a modified version of the baby cap and mittens from Minerva, by WIP insanity - she used a hi-res screen capture of these charactors to create her own charts. (via ravelry)
