Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Vogue

I finally got around to watching "The September Issue", a documentary that follows the process of what it takes to create an issue of Vogue. Fashion has always seduced me, however I have a love/hate relationship for the fashion world. I admire the artists that create some of the most spectacular things and literally create walking sculptures that are meant for wearing. Couture is my favorite kind of fashion, to look at, admire, and study. The hours that go into some of the garments, and the textiles that are used to make them are brilliant. Haute Couture is true craftsmanship at work. 


The movie was a really interesting look behind the scenes of what happens at the photo shoots, what makes it in and what gets cut. I love that part of the magazine the photos that showcase the most beautiful attire in the most un-realistic, imagined scenarios. Essentially what separates it from just being clothes and turns it into art. 
Anna Wintour is a powerful woman and definitely knows what she is doing. I was happy to see that she does have someone that challenges that at times and makes her re-think why something should stay, go or be changed. Her co-worker from the start- Grace. 
I did find it humorous that Meryl Streep played her so well in "The Devil Wears Prada." It was a fun comparison, and while she may seem cold, she is a business woman and at the end of the day she does her job brilliantly. An interesting documentary and well worth watching. 


Friday, March 16, 2012

inspired travels


While I was in Puerto Rico I fell in love with this building in Old San Juan. I made it a point to walk by it at least a dozen times. The tiles are so beautifully painted and layed the pattern and colors so traditional. The bottles in the tile even look like they are made from glass (which I think they could be). Last night while watching t.v I was so happy to see it as a back drop for a Gap commercial! I have no idea what they were trying to sell, probably jeans of some sort... But I could care less because there was my building again! I have dreams of what I would do with this building... a shop perhaps, antiques, art supplies, home wares, fabric... It is the perfect combination of old and beautiful and yet such a common thing is shown, bottles. At some point a factory, what a beautiful factory that must have been! 






finishing touches/inspiration

I am sure that I am not alone when I say that the finishing touches are the most tedious parts of making a quilt! I have been working on this for months, a traditional log cabin pattern. Finally I am seeing the end, it is so close I can almost feel this soft blanket on my bed... However there are those pesky little finishing touches that are so necessary to making a quilt last and structurally well crafted. 


I am using a traditional tying method to complete the quilt, I love doing it this way because it maintains that hand-finish, considering that this is all machine sewn. I use a soft pearl cotton to tie everything off, it is very strong, and wears well with all of the other cotton on the quilt. 



So until it is finished I will be tying away... and having this monster take over the studio table, ironing board, and chairs so that it stays flat-ish and off the floor. I have a huge pet peeve when it comes to making something dirty before it is finished. It could be the OCD in me, but it just seems so wrong to let this soft new cotton get dirty. Usually when I work on a project this long I am ready to put it away and never look at it again, (or at least for a few months). 
That's what happened to my circle quilt, it was hidden for almost a year until I was ready to look at it again. This one is different though, I am still in love with the color combo and the log pattern, I almost want to make another one with different fabrics (on a smaller scale). 


Now that I am almost at the end of this project I think it is fair to share what made me fall in love with this color combination and inspired the pattern. Below is the picture from a magazine, if memory serves me it was from "Beautiful Home" but it was about two years ago so I am not sure. I loved the textures in the frames so neatly put on the wall, but did not want so much on my walls. That is where the quilt came from. My bedroom is a cool true-grey color and I think the pairing will be such a soft and nice place to retreat to. The book "Modern Log Cabin Quilting" by Susan Beal, was also a great source for the technique and a look at other log cabin patterns. I followed the traditional method but came up with my own design inspired by this page torn out of a magazine and the book.