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Weaving A Different Kind of Necklace

March 30, 2015 by Leslie Gelber

 

Poster for Breastplate class

A few weeks ago I attended an afternoon workshop at the Museum of Arts and Design aka, MAD, in NYC. It was entitled “Weaving A Different Kind of Necklace.” At the helm, guiding us with her expertise, was none other than Debra Rapoport. Some of you may know her from Ari’s Advanced Style Blog, and the Advanced Style documentary,  plus a host of other on-line venues.

Rapoport puts new meaning to the ‘wow factor’ in everything she approaches in her life.  An amazing workshop, an amazing woman. She is the master of recycling materials and she brings all the supplies. Her warm spirit and generous encouragement led us to create magnificent pieces.

Debra Photo

Debra Rapoport

 

Now let me introduce you to the participants and their creations made during this workshop. You will see many links that further your reading and inspirational delight here on Just Another Mystery. The participants have huge talents too. Be sure to check out what they do when not in a workshop at the MADD.

Here is Penelope Cake. She has many talents, and much creativeness. Her necklace (Debra also called them ‘breastplates’), was so wonderful. The colors were happy, just like Penelope. She is a dancer too. Cake entertained us with a new dance routine about slowing down time. The words and her movements told the short story with ease. Telling a story in less than two minutes is not an easy feat. If you keep an eye on her blog, she might post a video of this dance. It does have the ‘wow’ factor if you ask me.

Penolope Cake full photo

Penelope Cake

 

And my word, Omi Gray was full of life and good fun. Her neckpiece became many things throughout the afternoon, even a hat.  She wrapped wire and other elements in the bits of yarn into the base. She enjoys teaching too, calling her workshops “Make It & And Take It”. Gray works with lots of mediums, ranging from jewelry, bead-weaving and an array of fibers. [email protected].

Omi Gray

Omi Gray

 

Alison Stein was quietly working away on her magnificent piece. She invented a great slender shape, and wove some very intricate work in blues with pops of orange. Stein is a published writer, traveler and teacher.

Alison Stein - Breastplate class

Alison Stein

 

Christine Jacobson joined me at my work table. I got to visit and watch her process up close. The light shinned on her perfectly when I snapped the photo. Rumor has it she was a dancer on broadway for many years.  Now she is diving into the world of fiber. Her work is beautiful. If you look close, you not only see her textured woven necklace, but also the masterful stenciling she created on her vest.

 

Christine Breastplate class

Christine Jacobson

 

This group, Amanda Dolan, Michael and Alice, had their creative table going big time.  Alice is far left. Her neckpiece was glorious. Adding the roving was unique. She even got the neck strap woven and it was complete! Then we have our leader, Debra. She is holding a sample she brought to class for our inspiration. And Amanda Dolan, she owns Spark Pretty, a vintage clothing business. Her finds are fabulous, do check them out. Her spirit is also fabulous.  Her neckpiece looked so perfect with her vintage blouse. And Michael, who is Alice’s son, and Amanda’s very very close friend, is an awesome artist.

Alice, Deb Amanda Michael

Alice, Debra, Amanda and Michael

 

Another shot of the MADA group, just as we finished for the day. Debra also made a breastplate during the afternoon. Can you guess what she used?

Michael, Amanda Deb Alice

Michael, Amanda, Debra and Alice

 

And little ole me. I did not even get close to finishing mine, but I had a blast.

Leslie breastplate

Leslie Gelber

 

Leslie detail breastplate

Detail of Leslie Gelber’s breastplate

 

When I re-read this post, I noticed all the smiles. And I didn’t take a ton of photos, these were impromptu, quick shots. A good time was had by all I would say.

I look forward to many more workshops at MAD with Debra as the magician of making. She will be offering evening workshops this summer at MAD. Maybe we will meet you there. It really is a wow, wow, wow experience.

 

Posted in Art, Art Garb, Buttons, Classes & Workshops, Fabric, Fashion, Fashion Sewing, Fiber art, Jewelry, Knitting, Museums, New York, Sewing, Silk Ribbon, Uncategorized, Yarn | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Jumping into Spring

March 11, 2015 by Leslie Gelber

It feels like winter may be behind us. The snow is melting in NYC, the sun is out. Time to put the puffer coats away and begin to think about Spring wardrobes.

I will begin Spring fashion with a felted tote bag I created in a workshop at the Tin Thimble last year. The large circles remind me of the sun. The boots are perfect for jumping puddles.

 

felted tote w:boots

Felted Tote by Leslie Gelber

Felted tote back

Felted Tote by Leslie Gelber

 

It is still a bit chilly, so I will toss on this boiled wool coat I found at Zara.

Zara Coat

 

Happy Spring.

Leslie

Posted in Art Garb, Classes & Workshops, Coats, Fashion, Felting, New York, Shoes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

The Art of Using Natures Bounty to Dye Cloth

March 1, 2015 by Leslie Gelber

Most fabrics today are dyed synthetically.  But people world wide have been using plants, insects and even sea life to produce color onto and into fabric for hundreds of years. I have read a few articles where it states that dying fabric dates back to 2600 BC.

I remember back in the 80’s I had pots of bark, leaves and flowers, plus muslin fabric, boiling on the stove top in my kitchen. Probably not a good thing for indoor creativity. But the results were pretty good.  The mixture produced a light pink in the muslin fabric. I cannot recall exactly what my magic mixture was. Not knowing much about mordants and other fixatives to keep the color in the cloth, most of the color washed out of that batch.

After taking many classes, both here in the US and abroad, twenty years after my attempt with my brew, I found the beauty of dying with bits from nature. Using leaves, bark, twigs, flowers, etc. I am back at it. The good news is I learned how to use fixatives to help the color seep in and not wash out!

A friend invited me to her studio for some experimenting. I gathered bags of various eucalyptus leaves, plus bark and pods from the trees, and some oak leaves. I think I had five varieties of eucalpytus from my parents property.   The bottom left corner was where the iron pipe produced a deep brown color. I managed a few yards of dyed crepe wool and created this jacket. The pattern is a Marcy Tilton Vogue 8982. A wonderful pattern for all your artful designing.

ecco jacket front

Natural Dyed Jacket by Leslie Gelber

 

ecco jacket back

Back of Natural Dyed Jacket, by Leslie Gelber

 

Natural dyed jacket detail 2

Detail of Natural Dyed Jacket – by Leslie Gelber

 

 

The art buttons I purchased from Counterpoint Buttons over 15 years ago. They seemed to work perfect on this little jacket and are like little pieces of jewelry. Pays to keep those treasures.

And while we were up to our ears in boiling pots and leaves and bark, I decided to add another piece. This was a scarf I had hand felted. It was solid off white before the natural dye process. I purposely felted holes into the edges to be able to add felted ropes for added interest.

Natural dyed scarf

Natural Dyed Scarf – by Leslie Gelber

 

 

Natural dyed scarf detail

Detail of Natural Dyed Scarf – by Leslie Gelber

 

There are many masterful artists who have written books and wander the world teaching the process of this magical dying from the natures bounty.  I am merely a student, and inspired by those who have taught me.

Until next time, happy creating to you.

Leslie

 

Posted in Art, Art Garb, Buttons, Fabric, Fashion, Felting, Nature, Patterns, Sewing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

A Shibori Stitched and Felted Wrap

February 22, 2015 by Leslie Gelber

During a recent workshop, taught by artist and teacher Melissa Arnold, a shibori stitched-felted wrap was created. The workshop was taught at The Tin Thimble.

Melissa’s class instruction included so many wonderful techniques. From carding the wool roving, shibori stitching, and felting your piece.

Here is a photo of my completed Shibori Felted Warp, with photos of some details. I have also included the process of carding and layout below.

 

Felted Wrap 2 no frame

Shibori Felted Wrap – by Leslie Gelber

 

 

The two Shibori stitches I used were Maki Nui and mokume. She taught us many different stitches, the choice was ours which one/s to use.

Textured Felted scarf stitching detail

Detail of stitching and texture. by Leslie Gelber

 

The sea anemone looking tendrils were big felted bubbles, then cut in a specific way and felted further towards the end of the process.

Felted Textured Scarf detail

Detail of more texture, by Leslie Gelber

 

This is the reverse side. You can see how the Shibori stitching gathered and textured the finished piece. After the felted piece is complete, the hand stitched threads are pulled out (or not). The texture stays in permanently upon completion.

Felted Scarf backside detail

Reverse Side, Shibori Felted Wrap, by Leslie Gelber

 

 

 

As a ‘maker,’  I am wild about the process.  So here is a little over-view of how we arrived at our completed felted piece.

My textured wrap started with hand dyed, wool roving that we carded (blended) together.  Melissa taught us the magic of using the carder.  In her words “carding wool is aligning all the fibers so they can then be easily spun or felted.” So we basically started from scratch with the raw roving, together with instruction and guidance every step of the way. I commissioned Melissa to hand dye this roving for my wrap.

Dyed Roving before carding

Hand Dyed Roving, by Melissa Arnold

 

Here is the blended mix on the carder. It is so beautiful and meditative watching the color/s blend, as you lay whips along the teeth as the drum rolls.

Roving on drummer

Roving Blended on Carder

 

These are my finished skeins of roving. The wool roving is gently lifted off the carder. These skeins are ready to be laid out and felted.

Carded roving

Skeins of Roving after Carding

 

This was the reverse or inside of the wrap. The layout, prior to pre-felting.

Black fram layout

Layout of carded roving. By Leslie Gelber

This is the felted wrap all Shibori stitched, just after the pre-felt process.  After the stitching is complete, we finished the felting process. The white thread ends are clipped after the final felting is complete.  You could use a thread with the intention of leaving ends showing, as part of the design elements.

Felt wrap with shibori stitching

Felted Wrap Stitched

 

If you ever get the opportunity to take a workshop with Melissa Arnold, I encourage you to do so. She is masterful beyond your wildest dreams. You will be inspired,  you will be happy and more than likely learn more than you ever imagined!

Leslie

Posted in Art Garb, Classes & Workshops, Fashion, Felting, Spinning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Faux Fur, Vogue and Verve

February 13, 2015 by Leslie Gelber

Here is a little faux fur jacket I created this winter. It came in handy with the bitter temps in NYC in February.  A larger coat slipped on over it just fine. The faux fur fabric I found  at H.M. Fabrics in NYC. They do not have a website, the street address is 257 West 39th.  The faux fur has luxurious drape, and was an excellent price.

Me in faux fur

Faux Fur Jacket by Leslie Gelber

 

Emma One Sock’s tip on how to cut faux fur was most helpful too. Cut wrong side up, and cut only thru the backing, do not cut the fur. Worked like a charm. And a vacuum cleaner at the ready was helpful too. Fur does fly no matter how careful one can be.

Vogue pattern 8142 is now out of print, but a really good one if you can find it. I used View E.  The 3/4 length sleeve makes it interesting to wear with elbow length gloves.  I have used all the different views and they are easy and all work great. And using faux fur is an option, you can use other types of fabrics easily too.

Faux Fur pattern 2

 

The dress peeking out from under the jacket is Vogue 8691. The pattern is actually a top with flounces. For the dress I do not use the added flounces and either bind the hem or turn under for traditional hem. You can also stitch up a slip (leaving sleeves off) using the same pattern, or even if you want a double layer. You could also layer two dresses, making one longer to peek out below. I have also made a longer jacket with this pattern, using the zipper front and adding a cowl collar. A wonderful pattern to play with layering. The top with flounces is also fantastic.

So we’ve covered Faux Fur, Vogue and now for Verve. This is my favorite shoe and accessory boutique in NYC. In the above photo, I am wearing my first pair of shoes I purchased at Verve, about four years ago. The designer is Chie Mihara. I wear these shoes when I wear my faux fur jacket.

Here is an extra added treat if you hung in here reading. Best for last perhaps? Today I’ll be thrifting with my lovely friend Debra Rapoport.  Check out the fab t-shirts. I got the ‘gold’ one myself. More ‘my’ colors. And I’m off to bundle up!

Until next post,

Leslie

Posted in Art Garb, Coats, Dress design, Fabric, Fabric Shopping, Fashion, Fashion Patterns, Fashion Sewing, New York, Sewing, Shoes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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