Sewn Arts Sunday: Taxidermy, and a Bridge

Source: Morbid Anatomy

As weird as it may sound to some, I totally consider taxidermy a sewn art. Among other things, as I know that there are plenty of other aspects to the work as well. I just heard of the Morbid Anatomy classes on Anthropomorphic Taxidermy, and am quite smitten by the idea. Not enough to enroll, but still smitten.

(And don't worry, they're ethically obtained animals.)

If taxidermy is too much, perhaps you'd prefer a fox lamp?

Source: Matsutake

Matsutake offers a tutorial and free fox pattern.

Or, you could enjoy Mellisea's little hot dog:

Source: MrXStitch

Or you could just go for something completely different:

Source: Craftzine

I'm not sure how you do needlepoint lace, but Dorie Millerson does it with amazing skill and ambition. I love this bridge! She also has other fun works, including a streetcar and vintage-inspired scenes between people.

Sewn Arts Sunday: Islamabad Fashion Week

So, I may love my own clothes, but I can't say I'm much of a fashionista. I know what I like, and I often do not discern the nuances of the runway that so many other folks seem able to do.

Source: Daily Messenger

However, this past week was the Islamabad Fashion Week, and when I saw a post on it I really wanted to share it with you. The principal reason for this is that we are often so bombarded by Western fashion meccas and their fashion weeks, that we don't realize just how many amazing fashion designers there are out there. We also take for granted that all fashion is for skinny (read: gaunt) models who don't like to wear much in terms of fabric. Working with traditional fashion concepts within Pakistani culture as well as modern fashion concepts, the designers for this fashion week reminded me of just how much more there is out there to play with. And how modest things can be while still being provocative. And how many shirtless male models there are world-wide.

Enjoy the shots below, but certainly check out the website for Islamabad Fashion Week. Pakistan Music Mind also seems to have an extensive level of coverage as well. :)

Source: Ianslive.in

Source: Pakistan Music Mind

Source: ATS Fashion

Source: Clothing for Women/All Pakistani News

Source: pmm.net.pk

Sewn Arts Sunday: Science Love

I could do a post on Easter, I suppose.

But my sister's birthday was this past week, so I thought I'd celebrate her a little bit today.

I have two sisters, both of whom are pretty amazing, strong, highly intelligent women. My younger sister just turned 29 this week, and I must say that there is much that I admire about her. She is a science teacher at a high school, and she is good at it. Having tried to teach an SAT class to overly privileged youth one year, I can say that there is an immense gift that is given to a good teacher. I honestly do not know how they do it.

I would hate it. But then, I am sure there are things that I enjoy doing that my sisters would never want to do for the long term.

In honor of my lovely seeester, I immediately thought of sharing these amazing anatomical sculptures by Karine Jollet:

Source: Craftzine

Source: Craftzine

Source: anatomanie

Source: Karine Jollet

The nerd in me rejoices at such stitchery! And the all of me rejoices in having an admirable and mind-blowingly astounding younger sister!

Sewn Arts Sunday: Spring!

So, last week, I tried to find inspirational sewn arts related to Spring, what with the vernal equinox action, the cherry blossom festival in DC, and Easter fast approaching. And I really found very little that was worth noticing, much less talking about.

This week, as expectant mothers are wont to do, I thought I'd just dwell on the them of babies. And instead found this awesome show, Stitched Ground, which has textile artists who portray the land in their works. Perfect for Spring!

Behold, the works of Terese Agnew (my have because of all that greeeeeeeen):

Source: The Daily Page

Source: Design Gallery

Chris Niver (Places that make me wish I was out hiking and adventuring):

Source: Frank Juarez

Leah Evans (Farmland makes me think of Spring all the time):

Source: Desoto Park Studio

Source: Design Boom

and Sarah Gagnon (look at those little corner details of plant like things in an urban setting! and rocks too!):

Source: Midwest Textiles

I had intended to post my latest Moon Munkie Make yesterday, but didn't get to it. Got caught up in a sewing project. So, I will try to get it up tomorrow. :D

Sewn Arts Sunday: Maligayang Kaarawan, Oa!

This is my grandmother with her mother. I think she's 3? I know she's adorable!

Today is my grandmother's 80th birthday. So not only am I showing off how amazing the dress my great-grandmother is wearing in this picture, I thought I'd also share some links on Filipino textile arts. As with any culture, particularly island cultures that encourage significant cultural variation, there are many many crafts and textile arts to mention.

The one I want to note in particular is the embroidery and use of pina fiber to make clothing. Linked with the historical experience of Spanish imperialism, pinya shirts and dresses represent Filipino identity for many. I would recommend looking at this post by Traveler on Foot for some beautiful examples and a great description of the work involved in this amazing craft. You can also look through this pdf on traditional outfits if you like. Much of my family have chosen to use barongs for the men in our weddings; beautiful artisanship and so much less stuffy than the Western tuxedo!

For my part, here are some pictures of my grandmother and grandfather (apologies for the small scans; I got them from my grandmother's Facebook page, so I can't really get better resolution):

Below, my grandparents were demonstrating tinikling (a dance involving hopping around two clapping pieces of bamboo). You can see (barely) some traditional Filipino outfits for these dances. I really do love the plaids you find for patadyongs.

This one below is of their wedding day; my grandmother was donated this dress by a model from a recent Filipino fashion show in DC to use for the ceremony. My grandparents eloped, so my grandmother did not have the luxury of getting her own dress.

The photo is small, but you may be able to see the wings of the sleeves, often seen in traditional Filipino wedding dresses. Another example is my mom's dress:

I wouldn't describe either of these dresses as strictly traditional, but they exhibit some aesthetics very much in line with Filipino tradition.

So, today I wish my Oa (Lola) a happy birthday! Maayong pagsaulog sa adlaw nga natawhan! (I don't speak Ilonggo Visayan, so I had to pull this from online, and it's Cebuano Visayan... *sigh*)

Sewn Arts Sunday: FiberPhiladelphia 2012

This is the opening weekend for FiberPhiladelphia 2012. I only just discovered this through Mr. X-Stitch (who happened to recently post an interview with Karen Reimer, who I wrote about recently for this series).

Some eye candy from contributing artists to what looks to be an overwhelming and fascinating show going through May. Ehese pieces may or may not not be part of the show, but are at least past/concurrent works.:

Robin Schwalb

Source: Daily Barn

Nancy Crow

Source: Nancy Crow

Erin Endicott

Source: Mr X-Stitch

Joetta Maue

Source: Apartment Therapy

Myrna Tatar

Source: Kathryn Clark

Migalli Rizzo

Source: John Paul Morabito

Sewn Arts Sunday: Twins

This weekend, I'm off galavanting around with my other half. Not Buddy, but my cousin who is like my siamese twin with a different mother. So, I thought it appropriate to share lots of fun Etsy finds that were twin-related.

Skeletina

Mary's Granddaughter

Outlaw Heart Creations

spazzy wonder

greenpeastudio

Monstrosity

Milk-fly

Gutter Gypsy

The Monster Cafe

And though they aren't sewn, I couldn't resist these two:

Stayhome Cupcake

Callaco Corner

Sewn Arts Sunday: Nike Schroeder

Unsurprisingly, Colossal has once again turned me on to some impressive embroidery art. This time, by Nike Schroeder.  I am finding myself intrigued by her freely hanging loose threads and the chaotic filler stitches that she uses to create shading/color in her line embroidery.

'Nuff said. Let's look:

Source: Colossal

Source: Nike Schroeder

Source: Nike Schroeder



Source: Nike Schroeder



Sewn Arts... Wednesday?

Sorry folks, I'm slow. It's been that kind of month, but it's not for naught. I'm working on a post for Sew Grateful that will show on Saturday... riiiiiiight around the time of the gift exchange party when I actually give it to the person it's for. (I've been wanting to post progress pics this whole time, but it's a secret gift exchange and some folks from that group follow me here. Could it be their gift? Who knows? Not them!)

But, in line with this gift exchange and my slowness, I am posting on one of my favorite animals: the three-toed sloth. A few years ago, I received a sloth purse at one of these gift exchanges. I'd post pics, but that would mean I'd have to actually have my act together by now.

I LOVE sloths! The internet has certainly spread the sloth love, but here are some great sewn versions I've found out in blogland:

Source: Tricky Hickson

Source: Oops, I Craft My Pants

Source: nonesuchgarden on Etsy

Hope you enjoyed them as much as I do! Back to sewing, now. Like I said, I've got a post I have to get done by Saturday.

Sewn Arts Sunday: Well, Not Exactly

I thought I'd share a couple of recent finds that (except for one) aren't really sewn. But I love the looks and I love the work involved.

Enjoy!

Source: Etsy

This little dragon by SewLolita didn't make last week's post, but is too cute for me to not mention somewhere. How cute is he? She? It? The best part is that you can buy a pattern to make one of your own. :D

Source: Flickr

Here's some amazing felty goodness by Vital Temptation. Her work--whether it's felted, knit, crocheted, or leather--is so beautiful, I'd feel like I was from nyadic world wearing them. Magical stuff!

Source: Flickr

You should definitely check out her blog and Etsy shop!

Source: Du Fuchs

Another super fun and magical world by Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam, who makes crocheted playgrounds! Apparently, she orders her yarn by the ton for these amazing creations.  I would find every excuse to go to the playground if I had one of these beauties close by my house. I hope that doesn't make me creepy.

Source: Playscapes

Source: Playscapes