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Handwovens into Garments

Maybe it’s just me, but based on many conversations with other weavers, I think there are many others out there — It is HARD to cut into my handwoven yardage to make a garment!  I look at that lovely fabric and really do want to make it into something that I can wear and show the world my woven creations. But, it is just too hard to make the first cut. I need some confidence to take the next step.

I know it’s silly, but I hate to “disappoint” the fabric I have created. I need to know my garment will really honor the effort I put into the fabric.

Perhaps I’m counting the pleasurable hours of winding a warp, threading the loom and throwing the shuttle too dearly. I know it’s silly, but I hate to “disappoint” the fabric I have created. I need to know my garment will really honor the effort I put into the fabric.

So today I’m sharing so ideas I have in helping myself overcome “Fear of Cutting”.  I came across a great tutorial for a Drop Shoulder Top from Fabric-Store. They offer a free pattern and a commercial fabric suggestion. Maybe a good way to wade in to creating garments from handwoven is to make the top first in a commercial fabric and THEN in my precious handwoven?

I am also delighted that the Houston conference team has added Michelle Belson of Lunatic Fringe to the instructor lineup at this years Biennial Conference. Her class, It’s All Very Basic: Designing Garment Patterns from Scratch will help us build our own skills in sewing with our handwovens.

With my fear of cutting in mind, I am delighted that the Houston conference team has added Michelle Belson of Lunatic Fringe to the instructor lineup at this years Biennial Conference. Many of us know Michelle from the gorgeous fibers and colors Lunatic Fringe brings to weavers, but did you know she is also an accomplished seamstress? Michelle has worked for many years in theater costuming. Her class, It’s All Very Basic: Designing Garment Patterns from Scratch will help us build our own skills in sewing with our handwovens. I know her class will inspire me to take the next step forward and let the fabric coming from my loom reach it’s full potential.

You can read more about Michelle, and all the other great classes at: https://www.weavetexas.org/conference/classes/   Will I see you in Houston ready to take the next step with your handweaving?