Waechter's Blog

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Wearable Art -Waechter's Way

Have you always wanted to add your special signature to the clothes you make? Would you like to learn techniques for special details on couture fashions? If so, you'll want to have a front row seat for "Wearable Art...Waechter's Way" on Saturday, May 1 at 11 a.m. The presentation is free. However, space is limited, so call today to reserve a place for you and your friends.

We have had a blast giving demos and mini-classes about once a season here at Waechters. We're doing a artsy fun and fiber-y day filled with some of our very own favorite fiber artists:

Laura will introduce considerations for wearable art,
Karen will share how she jazzes up jackets,
Elizabeth will show how she combines fabrics, trims and creative details for children clothing
& Julie will present a fun and flirty scarf with silks and ribbons.


P.S. Did you know that Waechter's Fine Fabrics is again sponsoring the Wearable Art category at the Asheville Quilt Guild's Annual Quilt Show, August 6-8, at the NC Arboretum. Anyone may submit an entry in the show and the wearable art entries are not required to be quilted. The top three winners will receive fabulous gift certificates from Waechter's. For information and to download the entry form, visit AQG's website: www.ashevillequiltguild.org The deadline to submit an entry form is June 15.

We hope to see you there!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Heaven

We love rolling the dupioni onto boards. We pile it in a chair and the sun filters down from the skylight and we just drool. We thought you might like a little eye candy too.




Silk dupioni just glows - I have a theory that every young gal who takes up sewing goes through a stage where they have eyes only for this glorious stuff. You can wash it to make it lose some of its stiffness -even after detergent - silk dupioni retains its sheen and luminescence.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Elinor Peace Bailey

We had the amazing, talented, and just a down-right-hoot - Elinor Peace Bailey in the store for a wonderful teaching session a few weeks ago and we thought we'd share some pictures and a first rate account of the experience by our very own Laura Casey.


Here are her words:

"It started Monday night, as soon as I saw the turquoise & black striped leggings coming down the escalator I knew Elinor Peace Bailey had arrived -complete with a bright new red hair color all over her head -Kool-Aid red. She topped it off with a gold and black velvet beanie. We got the dolls in the car - two huge suitcases of them and a little travel bag for Elinor, what does a girl need but her dolls! It was late, she was tired, a bit of rain ... she headed for bed.

Tuesday - better known as Asheville Quilt Guild Day when it's the 3rd Tuesday of the month. She and her dolls were off to the Folk Art Center for our monthly meeting. Elinor Peace Bailey was FABULOUS -she recited poetry, sang and we all laughed with her and her dolls. Every minute was a delight. I rushed home to get the table set -my quilting bee, The WeeBees, planned to entertain her over dinner - delight in her presence and enjoy the evening. Thank goodness it was a pot luck! Quilters are good cooks if you can get them pried away from their sewing machines, but with Elinor in town -that wasn't a problem!


We toasted to friendship, brought every doll to show and tell and wore doll pins, it was a fantastic evening for all of us.


Wednesday, Saint Patrick's Day, and the first workshop of the week. Elinor was in bilious green from head to toe and ready to go as we headed down the mountain at 8:30 am. She had her dolls in tow and I scampered off to pick up her patterns from Waechters where they had been flying out the door all month! After delivering the patterns to her class, I went off to the gym to work off the feast from the night before! Elinor arrived home a tired puppy. A nice quiet dinner was in order so we went to The Stoney Knob, a great restaurant, full of unique charm, just like Elinor. Stoney Knob's lamb shanks are amazing and one of EPB's favorites.

Thursday was the next full workshop day for Elinor. The sewing areas were ready and students had their patterns and fabrics ready to go. Joyce, our fearless Waechters leader, introduced Elinor with a flourish and EPB took over and was in her element ... she's just amazing! I must mention that Elinor was a vision of orange, complete with a fabulous new beanie. I have her beanie pattern and I think I'll whip one up, if nothing else, just to adorn my studio.

Elinor painted each doll face, she just called out the doll name, which she knew by the bald/faceless head sitting in front of her and the maker would arrive to determine the color of the eyes and to sit and talk with Elinor as she effortlessly sketched a unique face for each doll.


In the midst of all this fun, Elinor allowed us to interview her for SewWOW, designed a dress for SewWOW, and managed to buy lots of our new Kaffe Fasset rayon prints. Her favorite was #14127.


Friday, our first day to sleep in. We had a little breakfast, and then off to shop and do! We headed to the River Arts District, full of working studios. We bought flower bouquets from the button florist and talked with many textile artists who have etsy stores - Elinor Peace Bailey was immediately recognized and embraced. She's a legend, truly. We also toured some of the older neighborhoods in Asheville with gracious homes and B&Bs full of color and landscaping. To complete her Asheville experience, we had lunch at 12 Bones. Pulled pork sandwiches, jalapeno grits, buttered green beans and tall glasses of water. We were almost ready for the airport. Our last stop was to pick up some book binding materials for EPB's handmade journals. We stopped at Bookworks, where they recognized her right away. A finishing touch of a full and wonderful week. Elinor is a delight in every way, gracious from head to toe. To learn more about her, visit her website: www.epbdolls.com"



Laura Casey's very own masterpiece from the doll class

Friday, April 02, 2010

Colette Patterns and Anna Maria Horner Voiles!


I've been waiting and dreaming and hoping and at last - they are here! We have 7 new patterns by the talented Sarai Mitnick who is the mastermind behind Colette Patterns. As we all know - women of every size and flavor are talented, beautiful and sparkly - which is why we love Colette patterns. Sarai creates great patterns that are incredibly well made for sizes 0 (33" bust) to 18 (46" bust). I mean very well made and with great instructions -and coming from a pattern drafter, that is high high praise. All of the different versions of these patterns that I have seen fit and flatter. The patterns lend themselves to many different fabric interpretations which leads me to Miss Anna Maria Horner...


We have 4 of her beautiful lightweight, airy and silky smooth voiles and I'm telling you - combine them with the different colors of linen/silk ribbed fabric we keep in stock and you will dazzle! In particular might I suggest the Macaron dress with voile on top and linen/silk rib on bottom?

Or how about the Beignet Skirt in a Japanese Cotton or a twill with voile-covered do-it-yourself buttons and narrow belt.

Anna Maria Horner voiles are great for children's clothing as well of course! I am also thinking of making a soft and light sarong for beach days -or secret swimming hole moments. I love the pink one with buildings and willowy trees.


And a ribbed silk/linen:



Happy dreaming, combining, and sewing!
-Sarahbeth