Notes for Sewing Enthusiasts from The Sewing Tree

Associate Curator, Tara Vose with Sarah Kioski, The Sewing Tree

Lily Belle Folsom Ayres "Going Away Dress" with detachable train

Astrida Schaeffer, SchaefferArts

Sketch by Sarah Kioski for "Thread" 

Dear sewing enthusiasts,

Astrida's class last week was marvelous.   Oh sew much to learn. http://www.thesewingtree.com/classesHistoricalSewingSeries.php  Her next series will be on Saturday afternoons, Oct 29th and November 5th.   Sew many wonderful techniques to express our individuality and bump our garment sewing up a notch.  I was enjoying my coffee reviewing 'sewing news' and came upon the following wonderful seamstress and her  garment. There are some amazing things happening in the sewing world, http://www.mlive.com/business/jackson-lansing/index.ssf/2011/08/dressmaker_ellyn_painter_striv.html  Ellen remarked during our recent class that she would like to meet the people who do the sewing in the haute couture houses.  This woman has clearly mastered some great techniques.

Many of us were inspired by the garments we saw during a recent, private showing of the Strawbery Banke collection. Don't forget that this year's big event at Strawbery Banke is Civil War Era Event.  There is a lot going on this fall so check out the schedule at: http://www.strawberybanke.org/home.html  Do visithttp://silkbrocadepassionforfashion.blogspot.com/ for some wonderful and inspirational blogging.  

A few months ago The Sewing Tree started a Jacket Junkies group.  This group was formed because Annette 'dragged' me to the Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, http://www.westernavenuestudios.com/  We saw some jackets that we knew we could make, but the embellishment was incredible and thus started our desire to sew for ourselves.  To date Faith has accomplished the most taking what she learned from Kenneth King's class on Moulage (where I met a new NHASG member), using fabric she had purchased at a yard sale and creating a one of a kind Chanel style jacket complete with fabulous welt pockets--she informs us it was her first attempt (and they are perfect).

This message is to let you know that sewing is alive and we are having lots of fun.   

Janith Bergeron

The Sewing Tree
603-664-6944
www.designsbyjanith.com
www.thesewingtree.com

Impromptu Invite - Clothing Swap

Celebrate Fashion Week with us.

Please drop by the Carter Collections Center for our first ever Strawbery Banke Museum clothing swap!

 Thursday, 15th September 2011, 4:30 pm

* Bring a maximum of two bags of gently used clothing for swapping. 

* Items not used will be donated to area shelters and to our community partner, Twice A Lady for consignment. 

* Funds raised will support our educational programs for “Thread: The Story of New England Fashion” and materials costs for our educational partners, the 4H Design Revue and The Sewing Tree.

Contributions welcome.

View our second floor costume showroom.

Ice tea & cookies served

Queries? Call Kimberly or Tara 422.7526/422.7524

Lily Belle-its all in the details!

More shots of Lily Belle

Lily Belle's Going Away Dress and Train

This sumptuous dress needs no introduction- the design and details say it all. Enjoy the details of this fabulous going away dress. Layered elegance and more than a bit of simmering sensuality. We are currently conducting research on Lily Belle Folsom Ayres and will share what we learn about this newlywed.

Visit to Tracy Theatre Originals and the Tuck Museum

Strawbery Banke Museum staff and friends were recently invited by Ann Carnaby, owner of Tracy Theatre Orignals (info@tracytheatreoriginals.com; www.tracycostumes.com) and Betty Moore, executive director of the Tuck Museum, for a behind the scene visit. This was a very special afternoon for exploring elements of costume design in relation to historic costumes, contemporary design and, at the Tuck Museum, examining close connections between area fashion choices.

Ann is also designing a very special piece for "Thread: The Story of New England Fashion" but hush, hush is the word on that!

Encampment Weekend at Strawbery Banke

Come on out and join us for Civil War encampment weekend and free concert tonight!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/THIS-WEEKEND-Aug-20-21--Civil-War-Encampment---Concert.html?soid=1101360702314&aid=3gpKLE7CBP8

Black and White Photo Shoot

Responding to a recent request for sponsorship information, Chief Curator, Dr. Kimberly Alexander pulled together an impromptu fashion shoot at the gallery of Blue Tree. Thank you to Brian Smestad for his good nature and fabulous photos and Associate Curator, Tara Vose; Curatorial Intern, Bridget Swift and Summer Intern, Alexa Price for their humor! Here are a few shots to preview. And now you know some of the members of the Thread team from Strawbery Banke Museum!

Top to bottom:

Tara in black & gray long dress from Twice a Lady

Tara and Alexa, in vintage Edwardian whites

Kimberly in ruffled White House Black Market dress

Kimberly and Bridget in black and white polka dots from Twice a Lady