Art Unraveled 2019

Student Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Type of Workshop: Process and Project
Prerequisite: Basic sewing skills and sewing machine
Workshop Category: Clothing Design, Fabric, Sewing, Textiles

This class last year was such a success I am bringing it back with a few changes.

Many high fashion designers are repurposing garments, now it is our turn to follow suit. I've been upcycling garments for several years and find it fun and challenging to use unloved clothing as the base to create wearable art. It also keeps garments out of the landfill. I like to add vintage lace, linens, etc. to these unloved garments so they are truly refashioned, repurposed, and upcycled. In this class we will go through the process of recreating a garment from purchase to finish. I will give you design tips and ideas: make ruffles from other shirts or skirts for a hemline, cut button panels to sew on other shirts for trim, use vintage embroidered table runners and make pockets, etc. This is not a tailoring class so think of a garment being more artful, that raw edges and flaws might be part of the intended design. Basic sewing skills are all that is required. I am limiting this class to 12 so I can spend time with each individual to create your own style garment, from lacy and feminine, to grungy and edgy.

The garments we will create will be made from shirts so the end result is a shirt/top/tunic/jacket.

Day One: We will spend the first hour looking at sample garments, discussing what to look for while shopping, and making some notes. Then we will go shopping! We will visit a Goodwill store and then an antique mall to look for vintage linens i.e. lace, trims, buttons, fabrics in an air-conditioned, chauffeured van. We will be gone about 3 hours. When we get back if things need to be laundered we will do that, it's part of the process. Then we can begin to design our garments.

I will have snacks and water in the van but be prepared to eat a late lunch or bring food with you.

Day Two: We will spend designing and sewing our garments using what we purchased or brought along to use. I will have items to purchase in class i.e. vintage pieces, collars, extra shirts, trims, etc. and some free stuff . At the end of class we will have a fashion show at the manager's reception happy hour. It's really very fun but if you are shy and don't want to model we can find someone to do it for you!

Please be prepared to send me your email addresses so I can communicate with you before class. I will have some links to web pages where you can gather ideas of what you want to create and what you may have at home that you want to bring with you.

Kit/Materials Fee (payable to instructor at class time):

• No kit fee but you will need money for shopping. Think an average of $5.00 per shirt at thrift store. Purchase at least 2 maybe up to 5. Money for miscellaneous items i.e. lace, trims, buttons, thread. I will have embellishments for sale in class too, many vintage items. Class fee includes shuttle service but please plan to give the chauffer a tip.

Instructor Provided (for use in-class, and to share):

• Garment racks and hangers
• irons
• shuttle service for shopping
• snacks and water while on shopping excursion
• handouts

Student should bring:

• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Straight pins and pincushion
• Dritz disappearing ink marker
• Light such as an Ott light
• Sewing machine, please know how to thread and use if you rent or borrow one
• Paper and pen/pencil to take notes and sketch

Optional:

• buttons
• laces
• trims
• flounces
• doilies
• embroidery thread and needles
• any embellishments you might want to add to your finished shirt. You might have already have shirts you want to bring.