Garment and Competitions
Quite a few years ago I was an active competitor in several of the nationally recognized shows with juried-in garment categories. I had the time necessary to devote to the garments; in many cases several months worth of time.
My fabrics were always my own hand dyes - I mean if you’re going to do it, I figured I’d do it all. Besides with the fur-kids help, I’d usually end up with some rather unique patterns on the fabrics; a cross between furry tails and my planned (yeah right, planned) effects.
I’d use linens, cottons, and poly blends; several kinds of salts, wintergreen rubbing alcohol, and hand-applied dyes. I’ve never gotten into vat style dyeing, I apply my dyes to the fabric one at a time with a brush or some other hand technique.
Then we get to the beads or fancy threads - sometime both. Hand sewn beading effects: seed and bugle bead patterns, bead fringes and rayon cording. Decorative threads: candlelight, heavy metallics, sliver, and yarns couched in seams and over specific sections.
I played. A lot.
Mostly I created two-piece garments, a jacket and skirt with a plain blouse as to not detract from the outer garments. The one rule I adhered to, mind you this was my rule - not any of the competitions, was that the garment had to be wearable, not what I considered a costume.
I needed to be able to wear it out in public and feel comfortable. It might be only for a really nice evening out, but it was still completely wearable. I quite simply did not want to put forth all that effort, all that time, to not be able to wear it in a real world situation. I need to enjoy my creations, not hang them in a garment bag forgotten.
Well after about four years of competing and not winning, I asked one of the judges why. If there was a techique I was messing up, I wanted to know!
Nope. The response was my pieces were technically wonderful, but not ‘flashy’ enough. My one hard-fast rule, doomed me to a non-winning status.
So what did I do? I decided to stop competing and sew for my own enjoyment instead. And you know what? I haven’t regretted that decision once.
May 15th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
I distinctly remember one jacket & skirt you made that I absolutely loved. All the other so-called garments in the show were costumes, in my mind. Your outfit was so classy and gorgeous. The jewel toned, hand-dyed fabrics looked like suede and even felt like it, too. The beading was subtle and sophisticated. It was one beautiful outfit. Shoulda been best in show.
June 8th, 2007 at 5:47 am
I am so sorry that I’ve never seen any of your work up close and personal, so much of it I would liked to have been involved in.