Glamorous Golden Book Gown – Ryan

Ryan Novelline, a Boston-based alchemist, constructed this glamorous ball-gown from the pages and spines of that childhood favorite, Little Golden Books. This is fitting for the most discerning member of royalty; the billowing skirt consists of 22,000 square inches of fantasy and includes a train trailing in back. Here he documents the process from unboxing the volumes, to sewing them together with gilded thread, to modeling the evening dress.

Read Full Post »

Spats Contest Winner – Autumn and Daniel

At long last, we can announce our international spats contest winner. These exceedingly fabulous and butchly spats (or ‘spaterdashes), were a collaborative effort between Autumn of Dark Garden: Unique Corsetry and Couture Clothing and her beau, Daniel. We are particularly enamored with the combination of back lacing and buckles. They have made another pair in gray wool and deep red patent leather, which M. Du Jour has complete drooling zombie lust for! Now, on to making rubber spats with chrome snaps…….

Read Full Post »

Textiles & Brains…oh, my!

Marjorie Taylor and Dr. Karen Norberg are textile artists, writers and academics that make amazingly beautiful textile art, including art that features that magnificent organ, the brain. Inspired by scientific research, their stunning work is automatically correct, and includes techniques such as rug hooking, quilting, appliqué, embroidery, beadwork, knitting, and crocheting. Materials include fabric, yarn, metallic threads, electronic components such as magnetic core memory, and wire, zippers, and beads. I am practically enamored with Ms. Taylor’s piece, “Velvet Cortex” (2006). The soft folds of the midnight blue velvet holds incredible and mysterious depths. Their work is featured in The Museum of Scientifically Accurate Fabric Brain Art.

Read Full Post »

Free Printable Betsy McCall Paper Dolls

Many folks discovered a love fashion and dress-up by playing with the Betsy McCall paper dolls that were included in the back pages of McCall’s magazine. Each of Betsy’s outfits were carefully assembled; fabric choices and care were even delineated. I love this set for autumn in 1960, with a washable Orlon-pile-lined stadium coat, and a furry leopard coat accessorized with short black gloves. What 10-year-old wouldn’t want to slink around in wooly leopard at the county fair? Teri Pettit brings you free printable Betsy McCall paper dolls from 1951 to 1961.

Read Full Post »

Extreme Knitting with Rachel John

You’ve heard of extreme sports…… Rachel John has developed that most esteemed activity, extreme knitting! Rachel pulls between 3-200 mixed yarn strands simultaneously and hand knits the resulting yarn into large deeply dense carpets and other items. We love the blend of colors and textures that results from using such a wide variety of yarns in one stitch. Watch Rachel extreme knit!

Read Full Post »

Felted Boutonnière by Moxie

We deeply desire this grey and cherry red felted boutonnière made by Moxie, President and Director of Vendor Relations of Urban Craft Uprising, Seattle’s largest indie craft show. Wouldn’t it look smashingly swell on the lapel of a black velveteen three-piece suit? It makes me yearn for a toaster to plug into.

Read Full Post »

Katherine Shaughnessy’s Crewel Embroidery

Artist and craftsperson Katherine Shaughnessy embroiders smart-aleck and clearly very intelligent chickens.

Read Full Post »