Shamanic Nights exhibition at the Totnes Costume Museum
Curated theme - 'Innovation and Fashion' - 23rd May- 14th June 2011
Exhibition Curator Hilary Burns I remembered from 1970s Textiles Degree course. She studied weave; myself silk screen printing. Now a basket weaver, she had also moved to Devon. It was uncanny how she spotted my work at a craft fair and chose for the exhibition.
Museum receptionist, visiting Spanish student, models Linen Cruise
'Linen Cruise' (sold) Robe in white linen and viscose prints shows black underside lapel of white linen collar and front edging (cut two collars contrasting) and two patch pockets. Front has silk painted panels. Robe is loose T-shaped structure in patches with no traditional tailored 'armhole'. A diamond gusset is inserted under arm, under the 'T' join. Patchworks are large and long as they were intended to be a bed quilt, until I changed my mind.
'Linen Cruise'
Large rectangular patchworks in viscose and linen. White linen wide front band and collar (see museum model shows black embroidered under collar). Sash belt same: white/black.
Silk painted panel lower right of robe; design taken from another patch, changing colours to navy background to coordinate with navy viscose print bottom left front.
'Oriental Cruise'
Exhibition featured first Robes made: using white, cream and ecru linens with viscose and cotton printed patchwork rectangles.
Upper left sleeve shows silk painted panel. Design was copied from a small scale print on robe, seen below arm, but with enlarged scale, and keeping same colours.
Robe sold. A very pleasant scheme which may get revisited.
See more early original robes at Robes Summer Coats Originals
'Mandarin' (sold) Modelled by fashion student at Cockington Court Crafts Fair
Short heavy (furnishing weight) cotton kimono dress: deep no-fit sleeves and 'mandarin' Chinese style stand up collar, sleeve turn-ups and bound edged side pocket.
Patchwork contrasts of white/black toile design and orange poppies/olive leaves. Black and white striped lining. Unusual colour contrasts for me, but used up similar heavyweight cottons
'Mandarin' - Making
Named for a Mandarin-style collar made with a strip on a curve (cut x 2 on bias): Piped edge in black; also on pockets. Patchworks of equal 8 inch x 4 inch. For attractive 'turn-ups', use contrasting fabric. Sleeves have faux turn-ups by adding black lace layer below last black patch layer, which turns back to be stitched also 2 inches up inside lining, to reveal black/white striped cotton-satin lining. The seam formed when stitching to lining, gives a thicker strong line, which will enable a turn-up to sit at the fold-up nicely.
Dress hem is same black lace as end of sleeves. Adding a bottom hem layer 'frames' the garment together; cut double to stitch down inside, encasing the edges of the upper patchwork. Dress uses same striped fabric for front facing lining for interest.
'Bluebird' (sold)
Dress was also chosen for the Totnes Museum Exhibition.
Features three fabrics: olive silk, royal blue linen, with 'bluebird' printed cotton.
Independent fabric colours were a perfect match for each other, the green silk blending well next to the printed cotton.
Modelled by keen browser in rainy Exeter crafts market.
