Returning to myself
From the time I was a little kid, I loved fashion. First, noticing what all the cool adult family members and people on tv were wearing, then, as I got older, I was interested in thrift store shopping and many different fashion designers. Most notably: Vivienne Westwood, but also Commes des Garçons, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Romeo Gigli just to name a few.
I dreamed of making my own clothes, but as a person who was adverse to following directions from the time I could verbalize, I really felt that it wasn’t in the cards for me. As a very small child, my aunt would come over regularly with her sewing machine, and I would watch as she and my mother would sew all day. Often playing with the fabric scraps that fell to the floor and dreaming about outfits for my barbies. As I got older, an overly ambitious junior high Home Ec project, which took me forever to finish put me off of sewing for quite some time. It just seemed to constrained and full of rules with no room for exploration, so even though I desperately wanted to make clothes, I thought there was no way that I could make the process work for me. Of course I would still shop at thrift stores and alter many of the clothes I bought, often lengthening pants that were always way too short for me. But that was about as far as it went, even though I still dreamed of making my own clothes.
So time passed, and I was busy with college, then grad school, working multiple jobs, moving whenever my lease was up, and not thinking about sewing that much, even though it was always there in the back of my mind. Then, years later, while I was studying to be a yoga instructor, I met someone in my yoga teacher training class who quickly became my friend (and still is). She changed my whole perspective on sewing that set me free. “You don’t need to use patterns,” she said. I was incredulous. How could I possible make something that would fit me that I could actually wear without using a pattern. She told me to just find something that I like in my closet and use it as a makeshift pattern. So I did, and I never looked back.
What I discovered in the process, is that it really is just rectangles and squares that you arrange to make clothes. Think about it. When you look at a top, for instance, isn’t it just basically a front, back, and sleeves? Yep, you guess it. . . rectangles and squares. Of course there are a lot more details that go into the finished product, and I definitely have learned a lot along the way. Usually because of all of the mistakes I’ve made over the years. I’ve tried to drape fabric on dress forms when I design clothes, but that has never worked for me. I have to work flat. I use this same concept when I crochet as well. My biggest inspiration was when I discovered a “pattern” for the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. She too approached the whole process in a very simplistic way comprised mostly of squares and rectangles. I crocheted the jacket for my son when he was a baby, and it was an eye-opening experience that guided me on my crochet journey.
The discovery of this method many years ago has truly set me free in my practice. Because I don’t overcomplicate things when I create, I’m able to remove distractions that weigh me down. This gives me the freedom to think about sewing and crocheting in new ways and experiment more. The constraints of only using thrifted or donated materials also works within this process. To be honest, if I had a large studio that was filled with bolts of fabric and shelves of yarn in every color, my brain wouldn’t be able to focus. I never know what I’m going to find when I go thrifting, and each donation box I receive is a surprise. It’s a never-ending journey of creative possibilities.
I plan on teaching crochet classes in the new year at my studio starting this winter. So, if you would like to learn how to create in this way, then come and join me.
"Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist." -Picasso
The way that I look at sewing and crocheting is basically the way I look at life and how I problem solve. It can be overwhelming when we look at the big picture sometimes. But, when you break things down, it can seem less daunting.
This week at a glance
I had an idea for some new earrings, and I’m very happy with the results. This isn’t always the case when you try something new.
I made about thirty pairs of earrings in different styles.
I crocheted many more accessories.
My family and I went on a hike at dusk, and by the end of the hike the sun went down. It was beautiful.
I stopped listening to books and podcasts when I walk the dog every morning. Walking is when I come up with my best ideas.
I heard the song These Days by The Velvet Underground with Nico on vocals. I hadn’t listened to this song in a very long time. That got me thinking about listening to their music on cassettes and then cds, which then got me thinking about how I miss that. Not only am I going to do a Velvet Underground deep dive and revisit, I might also consider getting a portable cd player. I don’t subscribe to any music streaming service due to the fact that I have a lot of concerns about their ethics. It would be nice to listen to full albums uninterrupted like the old days.
I had some delicious pastries for breakfast on Saturday.
I harvested the last of the hibiscus.
My son made a beautiful wooden sword. I’m constantly in awe of his talents.
My husband and I went to first Friday at Urban Arts House
We met some nice people and also ran into some folks who used to come in to our restaurant.
I was asked to do another show in December, so I now have six holiday shows and one that is pending.
I appreciate all of you who choose to be here and read my newsletter. Have a wonderful week. And, I hope to see you around the studio. Please, tell your friends.
xo,
Christa
November shows
The Find-November 23
The Millworks-November 29
Gifts That Give Hope Gift Fair-November 30
Links
Email: wildchildfibers@gmail.com
Website: https://www.wildchildfibers.com
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