Pret-a-Papier, Couture Paper

I had the great good fortune to see the exhibit Prêt-à-Papier at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens last week with a good friend who also loves to sew.  Artist Isabelle de Borchgrave has created a wardrobe of couture garments and accessories entirely from paper.  Employing techniques from painting to crumpling and pleating, each garment is a masterpiece.  Based on historical garments from the late 17th to early 20th centuries, each one is crafted with details likely found in the original.  Borchgrave uses a number of different types and weights of paper, some as fine and sheer as organza, others with the texture of fine brocade.  Here are pictures of many of the pieces in the exhibit which runs through January 24th.

The tour begins in the Visitor Center with a video about the artist and samples of the different papers she used.  These colorful caftans were part of the exhibit.

The bulk of the exhibit is housed in the Adirondack House.  This is the first piece that greats you on entry.  The inspiration was the coronation gown of Empress Josephine, 1804.  Jewels and beads are simulated with glitter.  There is even paper piping along the neckline (some of you know how much I love piping!)

Based on a court dress from England, c. 1755.

A French-styled dress inspired by the works of painter Jean-Antoine Watteau.

This gown is based on the one worn in the painting Self Portrain with a Harp by Rose-Adelaide Ducreux, 1791.  The underlighting was particularly effective on this piece.

The gauze-like scarf and layers of lace on the sleeve are created from very delicate paper painted with a lace design.

I took this photo to show how perfectly the stripes match at the center front.

Inspired by the painting Le Bal Pare, c. 1760 by Auguste de Saint-Aubin.

Even the elaborate jeweled closure is made from paper.

The blue stitches were actually sewn on the garment with thread.

Based on a 1777 engraving of Marie Antoinette by Jean-Michel Moreau le Jeune along with matching shoes.

Madame de Pampadour dress, from Francois Boucher's Portrait of the Marquise de Pampadour, 1756.  The dress has more than 120 applied paper roses.  The sleeves were absolutely stunning, the painted paper closely mimicing real lace.  Note matching purse.

Changing directions at bit, these three gowns were all inspired by Mariano Fortuny, who designed pleated gowns in the early 20th century.  Close up shots of each show more detail.

This gown had a beautiful, soft green pleated underdress and a sheer, beaded over dress.

More pleats and beads (made from paper, of course).

Three early 20th-century dresses, inspired by the flapper era.  The black dress on the right was embellished with glitter resembling ornate beading.

The garments in the Adirondack House were accesible up close.  It was possible to see the detail very clearly.  The remainder of the pictures come from the garments in the main house which were all roped off, so it was not as easy to get a close look at them.

Based on figures from the tapestry hanging behind them, these garments showed lovely detail from the sheer fichu (scarf) on the lady's gown to the buttons and bound buttonholes on the gentleman's ensemble. 

I truly wondered if this piece was a permanent part of the house decor.  The "fabric" looked so much like just that it was hard to believe it was paper.

Based on an evening dress from 1866.

While I did not care for this garment (based on a portion of the painting behind) I did find the jewels and headpiece remarkable, all created from paper.

This gown was commissioned for the museum, based on one of the resident paintings, and will become a permanent part of its collection. 

Note the lovely sheer "lace" and the jewel-encrusted "leather" belt.

There was a coordinating shawl with the most spectacular "fringe".  My friend and I were marvelling over what precision cutting was involved in this.

All in all, this was a wonderful and visually beautiful exhibit.  I hope you enjoyed the pictures.  If you ever have the chance to see these garments, do.  You will not be disappointed.

Trolls and Summer

Dear recent visitor to my blog:  while you were busy leaving your comment, the Billy Goats Gruff snuck across your bridge. 

I guess I should be grateful that in the almost-three-years since I started my blog, this is the first time I’ve had to deal with a troll.  An internet troll is someone who posts inflammatory or mean-spirited messages on a public forum with the intent of causing harm.  This morning I awoke to a comment posted on my blog that was a very unkind commentary on my work.  Very unkind.  I’ve had to deal with my share of spam comments on my site, the sort that invite me to purchase handbags or watches, but this was new to me.  This was from a real live person who, it turns out, I know (isn’t that friendly?).  Not that they left their name for me (trolls typically like to remain anonymous) but in today’s world I’m just two clicks away on the internet from identifying someone’s email address. 

I try to keep the mood on my blog upbeat and positive, to use this space as inspiration for others and to uplift and support everyone who loves to create things with their hands.  So, dear readers, you’ve been given notice:  if you post mean comments on my blog they will be removed.  And, unless you are willing to pose naked, so to speak, and share your own work for the internet world to see, you have no right to criticize my work.  This doesn’t mean you cannot disagree with me; but please do it in a way that is true to the spirit of this space.

Well, now that I’ve gotten THAT off my chest, let’s move on to the last day of summer.  Which it is.  Tomorrow my oldest starts kindergarten, and one week from today my youngest goes back to preschool.  And I can’t wait for the extra time I will have to put my hands to work.  But, the summer had some lovely moments.

We spent a wonderful week with family on our little island in Maine where I managed to get some stitching done

and other family members got in on the craft action, too.

We swam

boated

climbed and skipped rocks

played board games

and ate good food.

Mostly we unplugged and relaxed.  It was great.

I also took my boys on some local-to-home adventures where we experienced nature up close and personal.

Now the days are getting shorter and it’s time to refocus our attention a little closer to the hearth and home.  I’m looking forward to sharing some of the things coming out of my sewing studio with you soon.

Color Me Cool

Today was an interesting day.  The DC area was hit with a tremendous storm yesterday that knocked power out for 1.5 million people.  Our house was affected, though we were pretty lucky that much of the surrounding area was not, so we were able to hit the library and some restaurants.  We were also lucky that our power came back on tonight after only 17 hours.  Many will not be so lucky.  Adding to the misery are the current temps near 100 degrees.  And it's only June.  Sigh.

While I was spending my low-tech day catching up on some magazine reading I came across an interesting ad which I had to wait for power to check out.  Sherwin Williams has a new feature called Chip It! which allows you to create a customized paint chip card based on any image.   Here's how it works.

First, you have to install the Chip It! button on your tool bar (drag and drop, simple).  Then, when you come across an image on the internet that you like (or on your own computer) you click on the Chip It! button and roll over the image.  A chip card will be generated based on the colors in the picture.  Here are some examples on some of my previous blog pictures.

Couple this with the internet's current sweetheart Pinterest and you could really have some fun.  Last week my monthly sewing guild's program was all about color, and I think this might be a great way of creating a color scheme for sewing projects based on images that are pleasing to one's eye.  Try this one out for yourself.  It's easy and free.

I hope wherever you are that you are cool and comfortable (or warm and cozy).  Tonight I have much to be grateful for.  An extra special thanks to all of the hard-working storm crews who are getting my city back on the grid.  And the fire fighters in this country who are working overtime to combat all of the natural disasters.  I wish all of them an extra dose of cool and comfort tonight.

A Place to Create

My big project over the last few weeks was cleaning/reorganizing my sewing studio.  It had really reached critical mass.  I found I couldn’t easily work in the room because of the clutter and items that had no home.  Since I did not have any projects with critical deadlines I thought this would be a good time to completely deconstruct the space.  I set up a new bookcase which helped and tried to purge some unwanted items though a lot more needs to be done.  I found I had a lot of bulky fabric in the form of wool, recycled t-shirts and sweaters which I sealed up in Space Bags and am storing elsewhere.

What a difference a clean room makes!  I’ve been getting back into sewing some projects and find it is so much nicer to sew in a clean room.  I’m taking the time to put things back where they belong (wonder how long that will last?)  This exercise has once again solidified in my mind that I don’t need any more fabric or sewing supplies.  In fact, acquiring more “stuff” is almost an unpleasant thought.  I need to work on using what I have.

Here are pictures of my clean space.   I’m hoping they will act as inspiration for you and me, as well.

This dishtowel was a gift from my friend Linda when we traveled together to Alabama for our Alabama Chanin workshop.  I hung it on the wall in my studio to remind me of those good times.  Linda, I know you are reading this:  my studio is finally clean enough for you to come and play!

Projects hot off the press coming soon!

Happy New Year

I spent the most magical weekend with my extended family in Virginia Beach to ring in the new year.  The weather was a balmy 60 degrees, mild enough to spend several hours on the beach each day.  Who would have thought?  Since I don't have any projects to share, I'll just share some pictures of my two little boys being carefree kids.  I'm wishing everyone a happy and creative 2012.

The view over the tips of my toes.