Chanel and That Jacket

I'm not sure when my fascination with Chanel jackets developed but as long as I can remember, it's an item that I vowed to one day put in my closet.

Several years ago I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to Palm Springs to observe Claire Shaeffer's class, Chanel and That Suit. This is a very high end hands on class. For five days a select group of students learn about Coco Chanel, her life and contributions to fashion, examine Chanel designs from Claire's personal collection as well as slides from private and museum collections, learn to select and adapt patterns and choose fabrics, and learn the techniques that make Chanel, well Chanel! Decorative trims, the three piece sleeve, unusual and contrast linings, unique hand buttonholes, chain weights and quilting. You work on a half scale model of a jacket but focus on techniques so you can go back home and spend the next weeks (months?) creating your own. I was inspired and loved looking through her collection. She is a wealth of knowledge and a wonderful woman.

I was so pleased to recently learn that she has published a CD-based album exploring her wonderful collection of Chanel garments, inside and out. Here is a quote from her blog about it:

"I doubt there's ever been such an extensive collection of full-garment and close-up, full-color photos—over 600 images—detailing the work and influence of a single designer, so readily available; all thanks to the wonders of the pdf format. It's been quite a mammoth task, shooting, editing pix and commentary, designing, building, proofing, testing… But it's finally done!"

"If you've ever wondered what all the fuss was about regarding couture garment-making, prepare to be amazed at the astonishing skills and efforts that emerged from the Chanel workrooms. Each pdf page is 11x17 inches at 100%, so the slides can be zoomed in on for great detail. The couture blouses are particularly spectacular!"

I just ordered my copy and I can't wait to receive it. In the meantime, Decades Two in Beverly Hills is having their one day a year Chanel consignment sale. I think I'll have to check it out..........

The Art of Sewing : Cirque Du Soleil: Kooza

I had the pleasure of attending the latest Cirque Du Soleil show in Santa Monica this past weekend and what a show it was. Kooza tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world. As a lover of clothes, the costumes in Kooza held a special fascination. The Costume Designer, Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt, states "My costumes draw on....everything from graphic novels, the paintings of Gustav Klimt, Baron Munchhausen,the Mad Max movie, time travel movies to India and Eastern Europe." And boy, does it show. Here are a few of her sketches.


Cirque pays special attention to their costumes. I read that they actively seek out new materials which can be used. A "technological watch team" tracks global advances in adhesives, batteries and miniature lights to see how they could be incorporated into costumes. The team looks beyond boundaries of standard textiles to encompass fields such as avionics, plumbing, water sports and even dentistry for components that achieve the imagined task.

The artisans of Cirque Du Soleil's Costume workshop custom-make all the costumes, dyeing the colors in-house or painting costumes directly. They mold each individual hat on a plaster model of the artist's head for a perfect fit. They consider comfort during these shows too: the wig-making team, for example, builds wigs one hair at a time to achieve optimal ventilation. The attention to detail is staggering: the juggler's suit in KOOZA consists entirely of mirrored squares, like a disco ball.

Anyone who wonders why they should learn to sew or why it's so special should just take a look at these costume sketches. The creative process, the gathering of materials, the time spent constructing and the pleasure the audience has in experiencing - these are all reasons to sew. Whether your "costume" is a Holiday outfit, special slacks or cozy jacket, the personal rewards are the same. Just create!

Successfull Venice Swap!

The Venice Swap was a success! Thanks to all the volunteers who generously devoted their time and skill. We made trick or treat bags, costumes, and silk screened skulls and daggers.

Felicity Huffman and daughter were in the house transforming their new found clothes. Who says thrift is only for the poor?? Swap focuses on recycling, transforming, creating and being "green."

Make it Yourself!
Stay tuned for our 2010 events.

October, our favorite month of the year!

Who doesn't love October? The crisp air that fall brings, Harvest Moon, fresh apples, changing leaves, and of course Halloween.

Take the time this fall to create something for yourself, you deserve it. It can be as simple as a new set of napkins and matching placemats or your own Halloween trick or treat bag. Our DVD's will guide you.

This October is special because Susie and I will be traveling to Italy to help our father celebrate his 80th birthday in the town his father grew up in. How special is that!

Susie will be blogging on her site Sweetie Petitti about the food during our trip.

May October bring special gatherings your way too!