The PIQF Wearable Art Call for Entry is open....deadline August 30, 2017

HERE is the link to the info.

Studio Art Quilt Associates TrunkShowTuesday for April 18, 2017

Sea Turtle Scarf

This extra long scarf of beautiful batik fabrics gives you a glimpse into the life of the Sea Turtle. The slivers of fabrics depict underwater sea life as well as the sand where they nest. Some of the fabrics are hand dyed Indigo and each sliver is quilted with a different free motion design.

If you are interested in the life of the Sea Turtles please visit the Logger Head Marine Life Center in Juno Beach, Florida

I really enjoyed making this scarf because I was surrounded by all these beautiful fabrics and wanted them all in one project. Once quilted and washed, it came alive with all its texture and softness. It is 72 inches long and 7 inches wide. This makes for a very versatile snugly scarf.





Fold the edge of the scarf to
create a littlecollar to show
the Turtles on the other side.
It kind of takes the place of a
vest/scarf.

Another way to wear it would
be to wrap it around your
shoulders as a decorative
shawl.


Because the length, it can be used as an Obi like belt or just thrown over the shoulder.
When not in use, lay it over the table as a runner. Totally multi use scarf.

Kimura Jacket at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Show 2017 Winner of Judges Choice Ribbon

My other entry in the "Full Ensemble" division won Best Use of Embellishment. 

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 This is my wearable art entry in the Jacket division at the
Mancuso Mid Atlantic Quilt Show which opens 2/23/17.

I wish I could be there. Remember when they did this show in Williamsburg? They used different hotels for each venue:
Quilts, Wearable Art, Fiber, Antiques and more. They had heated buses that delivered attendees to each site. There must have been over ten thousand happy people even when there was snow. I digress.

So I entered this new version of the jacket. I designed this pattern a long time ago. So, back in the day, we promoted bias tape makers, tube turners, and more. This jacket was embellished with meandering bias strips anchored with tube ribbons tied and tucked under the bias strips.

So this NEW version uses raw edged bias and tubes. Should be easier and edgier...right?

 The center back has a strip pieced panel with fan shaped appliques. The edges of the fans are finished with narrow raw edge bias strips.

The cuffs are made with the same strip pieced fabrics as above. A little free motion stitching enhances the cuffs. BTW, this time I quilted the whole jacket before adding all the treatments. The front is made up of my favorite batik. I added Sashiko Design stitching down the front (done on the sewing machine).



Then I made  faux Chinese knotted buttons using rolled up tubes. I used faux Chinese coins with the hole in the center for the "button" part.

I sell the pattern HERE on my website:  StephanieKimura.com 
I include the 3 coins to make the buttons.


Let me explain that the pattern gives all the instructions to make the jacket using the methods of bias tape makers an tube turners. There are no raw edges and every edge is finished. If you went to the show and saw this sample you will need new instructions. I am working on them so if you purchase the pattern and want to use the raw edges...you have to let me know when you purchase the pattern.

It was easier to make half inch raw edge bias strips to curve and meander over the jacket and finish the edges of the fans on the back. I finished all the edges of the jacket:  neckline, center front, bottom hem and back "V" hem with raw edge bias and I decided I prefer that to the pattern. In the pattern instructions, I say to make the entire outside of the jacket and the entire lining of the jacket and place them right sides together, sew the entire perimeter and turn right side out. But, you can decide to use any technique you prefer.
Good Luck and Happy Sewing!

Indigo Shibori

Indigo dyed canvas wrapped on a PVC pole. It wasn't too bad and took less than a half hour. Then left it wrapped in plastic over night. It was great to unwrap it this morning.

Self Portrait: Meditation and Koi.....starting a New Year

Self Portrait

Ice Dye Day

I've waited a long time for a decent cool day to Ice Dye some fabric. Previously, when I attempted to do this the ice was melting before I got the dye on it. Today it is a marvelous 64 degrees.

 

I'll keep adding the progress...

Designer: Asa Orterstrom

Beautiful embellishment found here:  http://boho-area.livejournal.com/308548.html

New Bio Photo

 

QiMono

Hey, where is this place?

See AMERICA...eyeglass case

This is another version of the Sweeheart Eyeglass Case made with upcycled denim jeans, plaid shorts, remnant leather and of course the metal frame with the kiss snap closure. The case was attached to the metal frame with the use of Beacon's Quick Grip glue and then sewn in with clear thread.

 

The back, like the front was created with denim pieced from different places of the jeans. A heart was cut from remnant leather and glued on to the pocket.

A thin bead of this glue placed in the metal frame channel allows you to hold the fabric till you sew the case into the frame. Don't want to sew? Use more glue.

 

 

I got the embroidered "AMERICA" from inside the waistband of a pair of jeans "American Eagle". I cut it out and pieced it with denim.

 

I cut two stars from a pair of plaid shorts. I placed them one on top of the other and stitched close to the edge and frayed the edges.

 

The small pocket was taken from the inside of one of the front pockets.

 

This is how the case looks before it is placed into the frame.

 The lining was layered with batting and a message was quilted into the lining.

 

Hand cut leather strips were wire wrapped to create a fringe tassel.

 

This is the 10 inch metal frame with kiss closure.

Make it now!

 

Coming Soon....kits!

Incredible Sewing Event with the Creative Clothing Club June 28th, 2016!

Vintage Lilly Pulitzer Pink Shell Tie

                                         Lilly Pulitzer made a collection of menswear with a label "Men's Stuff", Palm Beach. The fabrics are gorgeous and have held up over time.

 



 

I just love this hot pink shell pattern. This tie might be from the 60's and 70's. Living in Florida makes it easier to occasionally find these Lilly vintage items. I have a Lilly board on Pinterest.

 

Spend some time relaxing and sewing some running stitches with a lovely, chunky thread.

The only thing I don't like about Pinterest is that sometimes it's difficult to find the Artist's name to give them cred for the awesome handwork. Wish I had time to just sit and sew some running stitches. I used to travel and have hours and hours to do something like this but I always fell asleep waiting for the plane and sleeping on the plane.  Now it's great to just live vicariously through someone else's talent and enjoy the photos.

Debra Dorgan....Designer at Etsy

Just in case you aren't spending ten hours a day at Pinterest yet...I thought I'd start posting some incredible designs from these artists....

 

This designer's name is Debra Dorgan and click on her name to see her Etsy store. Very talented.

Hobby Lobby Coupon

This is one of my favorite coupons. When you use the link to their site be sure to "refresh" the page since they have a new coupon for each week. They still let you use it on magazines and books....so far. I used it to get my Octopus embellishment for "Turtle Walk", a new bag.

 

Here's the Turtles:

 

 

Here are some other embellishment I purchased:

Celebrating the New Year with Red

I had these fabrics in my stash for years. Felt the need to Celebrate the New Year by sewing my favorite fabrics and hanging them where I can see them every day.

Home Improvement Projects are not for sissies!

I'm taking a deep breath.....before I write more because what goes on the internet...stays on the internet. Ya hear me Contractor?

Celebrate America!

 

This is a small wall hanging I made for my friend, Mrs. Drew. She is an awesome artist in many mediums. She used to teach art as well as create art. She is retired now and teaches her grandson the art of Japanese calligraphy as he learns all the Kanji symbols. We became friends when I worked in Juno Beach. She is Japanese American and her husband was an officer in the Coast Guard. She loves America so I made these traditional quilt star blocks with red, white, and blue fabric. The square in the center has images of Kokeshi Dolls, a traditional folk art in Japan. Mrs. Drew hangs this on her condo door...it is an honor. Close up of the block below: