A Show of Hands!

We have just finished a 5 day Glove workshop at The Academy. Making gloves is so much fun! The students had a great time and their finished gloves turned out perfect!

I was able to find a source for world famous Pittards glove leather. The hand stitched gloves are so soft, they feel like butter! Students custom fitted their patterns and learned how to assemble gloves completely by hand.

Handbag designer Amy Steele http://www.amysteelebags.com/shopping/ attended the workshop and hopes to soon expand her line to carry gloves.

The workshop was so successful that I intend to offer it again in 2012.

Gloves, gloves, gloves

Next week is the start of a 5 day Couture Glove workshop. I have purchased fabulous skins for the students to make their custom fitted, hand stitched gloves from. I was able to find a good selection of glove leathers by Pittards, a renowned English glove leather producer. There is also some slink, or shearling to make warm winter gloves. Here are some of the samples I have been working on. I will post photos of the student's finished gloves later next week.

Reversible Tote

Metallics are so hot right now! Here is a reversible leather tote I made up from a skin I purchased recently in New York. One side is brown, the other is metallic silvery brown. I made a small wallet with a cell phone holder and zippered pocket. All hardware is a gunmetal color. I drafted the pattern myself. Perfect for summer!

Koos van den Akker

I am just back from the Springtime in NY trip. NY is always inspiring! The trip includes fabric, button and trim shopping, visits to museums, designers and Soho. We had a great group this year. All came away with tons of inspiration.

Here are photos of our visit to meet Koos van den Akker. Koos is so creative! Always coming up with new ideas and techniques. His garments appeal to women of all ages. Koos will be coming to The Academy of fine Sewing & Design Sept. 7-11 to lead a 5 day workshop. Contact The Academy for more information and registration forms.

Koos was creating a new caftan which one of the young students modelled and here I am wearing a fabulous taffeta tulip scarf.

Jon Moore Couture Jacket workshop

The Jon Moore Couture Jacket workshop was a huge success! Students loved Jon's technique for working the collar and notched lapel. The jackets looked terrific come day five!

Jon will be returning again next year for a Trouser workshop.

Couture Tailoring with Jon Moore

Today is day one of a five day Couture Tailoring workshop with Jon Moore of London, England. Students accomplished a lot as they began work on their jacket fronts. Their softly tailored jackets will have a lot of built in shape. Pad stitching is used on the reveres and the edges were taped. Tomorrow we will begin the facings and collars. By the end of the week, students will be inserting the lining by hand.

This is my sample made from a beautiful piece of Donegal Tweed purchased on our Paris/London trip last year. Jon worked up a sample out of English Tweed for the students to reference.

Custom Made Buttons and Machine Knitting

I recently attended a machine knitting workshop with Carolyn Barnett of Kingston, ON. Carolyn does wonderful machine knit sweaters with custom made buttons http://www.barnett-knits.com/

Here is my first machine knit sweater. It has an asymmetrical hemline with contrasting hem and sleeve facings. It is made from fine merino wool. I made buttons to embellish it as well as several other buttons for future projects.

Carolyn will be coming to North Bay to teach a one day button making workshop and an introduction to machine knitting workshop. For more information contact my daughter's yarn shop Stix and Stones 705-223-8245.