Tuesday, December 03, 2013

A Smocked Necklace

We are really excited to have friend and talented artist, Liesl Gibson, joining us at Art of Craft this year! I met Liesl years ago when she was designing a collection of fabric for Moda. We learned that we shared a great friend in New York, someone I had known for almost twenty five years, that I met on a bus headed to Martha's Vineyard. Whenever you meet someone who knows an old friend, it's like you have also known them for years...so of course, we bonded fast! 
 Liesl earned a degree in fashion design from FIT in New York and worked as a designer for several global fashion brands before starting Liesl + Co. Liesl is also the chief designer of the Oliver + S, Lisette, and Straight Stitch Society brands of sewing patterns, all of which are available in the Oliver + S Shop.  She also has a fun paper doll on her site that you can dress up...
Liesl is teaching her Smocked Necklace Workshop on Saturday, January 11th from 2-5 at French General's Art of Craft.  We've indigo dip-dyed a handful of pieces in case you would like to make up a smocked necklace similar to what we made at The Makerie this past April....
Hope you can join us for this fun workshop that will teach you a lost sewing art....to sign up or read more about Liesl's workshop, please visit us at French General Workshops.


Monday, November 25, 2013

Renaissance Ribbon and French General!


I am excited to announce that we are designing ribbon for Renaissance Ribbon and our first two patterns have come off the loom and are available for the holidays!  Amy Butler introduced me to Edith from Renaissance Ribbons last Spring and we have been working on our designs ever since.  Rural, colorful, French-inspired ribbon that is perfect for sewing projects or tying up pretty packages.  Here is a cute project that uses the French General ribbon along with Dena Designs to create a handy eye glass holder.  We will stock the whole line at French General soon, as well as have it available on our website.

Friday, November 15, 2013

What Winter Smells Like....


We are excited to have my sister Lisa Meng return to French General with her trunk full of aromatherapy oils and scents.  Join us for Lisa's second workshop and learn to make some of your favorite body and home products using 100% organic materials and essential oils.  Lisa will guide you through the process of learning all about oils that are good for the winter months, including orange blossom, peppermint, eucalyptus, and pine.  Students will each make up four to five full size products, including body cream, bath salts, lip balms and home sprays.  Lisa is a wealth of information and you will be surprised how much she can pack into a four hour workshop...everyone leaves feeling like they have truly studied aromatherapy!

Friday, November 01, 2013

2014 Art of Craft Event


Once again, we are excited to announce our annual Art of Craft Event happening at French General in Los Angeles on January 10th, 11th and 12th, 2014.  We have gathered some of my favorite artists to visit French General and to teach their favorite workshops.  Filled with technique and beauty, the Art of Craft Workshops sell out fast and are always attended by friends and artists from near and far.  Come for one, two, three, four, five or six workshops....you chose your favorites!  Or, sign up for a Weekend Pass and come to all six workshops...there will be twenty Weekend Passes available.

Felt with My Heart by Evelyn Neily
We start the weekend, on Friday, January 10th with one of our favorite teacher's, Evelyn Neily, the master of wool felting.  Evelyn will be teaching a simple felted heart that you will be able to embellish with all sorts of hand-dyed ribbons and charms...a perfect token for you or a friend! 

Vintage Fleur Necklace by Kaari Meng
Friday evening will be a night of jewelry making as we learn to make layered flowers using vintage lucite petal, buds and leaves.   A garden-full of colors and materials will be available for oyu to make your very own Vintage Fleur Necklace or Bracelet.  Basic jewelry techniques will be taught, including flower making, jump ring work and wire looping.

Lovely Lettres and Cards by Brenda Walton
Saturday morning, January 11th, we welcome Brenda Walton, from Northern California, who will show us all how to use pen and ink to create artistic letters and calling cards and then embellish with antique papers and charms. 

Smocked Necklace by Liesl Gibson
Saturday afternoon, pattern designer and sewer Liesl Gibson visits us - all the way from New York City - to teach us her delicate smocked necklace workshop...you will love learning how to smock with embroidery floss and beads.

French Tapestry Cushion by Susan Fuquay
Sunday morning, my friend and wonderful artist, Susan Fuquay from Dallas, will show us how to warp a small tapestry loom and weave French stripes.  You will fall in love with wool weaving and have all the tools and information to continue making small tapestries.

Iconic Shrine by Molly Meng
Last but not least, on Sunday afternoon, our very own Molly Meng arrives with all of her antique ephemera and shows us how to create an iconic shrine - loaded with meaningful bits from the past. Learn to create a unique piece of history using antique hemp, linen, glass pearls, metallic thread and beeswax paper.


Friday afternoon we will serve afternoon tea and Friday evening we break out the Lillet and snacks. As always, a fabulous lunch will be served for students on Saturday and Sunday and we encourage all students to return for our Sunday evening Soiree held from 6-9pm.  The French General Soiree attracts all sorts of artists and friends that are in town for the Craft and Hobby Show held annually in Anaheim.  A great night for connecting with old friends and meeting artists that you have admired from a distance.


Come for the Craft, stay for the day!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Tassels and Pom Poms and Indigo...Oh My!

Join us this Saturday, October 26th for a Tassel and Pom Pom Workshop at French General!  Taught by master crafter Robert Mahar, this workshop will show you the ins and outs of wrapping simple pearle cotton and wool to make beautiful tassels and pom poms that you can tie onto gifts or use to hang in your home.  Robert will also be making up an indigo dye vat and will let you experiment with dip dyeing your cotton and wool pieces.  By slowly dipping your tassels into the dye vat at different increments, you can make beautiful ombre designs.  For more information or to sign up for this workshop visit us here.

Monday, October 07, 2013

A Few Vintage Kits....and a New Jewelry Book to Come!


After making jewelry for the past 20 plus years....I am always a bit surprised to find that I am still making jewelry and designing kits with vintage materials.  Walking into some of my favorite warehouses in New York and Los Angeles I am constantly surprised to hear the owner say "And look at what I uncovered last week...thought you might want these early Italian glass cameos"  Um...yes!

I started buying vintage glass beads twenty-five years ago, on a whim, because I liked the colors better than the new beads.  I never imagined that all these years later I would still be buying beads and designing jewelry...I really thought it was a hobby!  But, I guess that's the great thing about hobbies...if they turn into your life work...you are lucky!

One of my very favorite quotes is: Let the beauty of what you love be what you do...by the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi.  I have attempted to follow that quote in my day to day activity and I think it has turned into a wonderful ride...one that I am thankful for everyday.

Not only do we have some new limited vintage kits available on our website - in a retro Fall palette - we are also working on our next book....a jewelry book similar to our first book, French-Inspired Jewelry.  Filled with lots of colorful inspiration, this book will cover a year of jewelry making - highlighting all of the French holidays and festivities.

Meanwhile...if you need to learn how to make jewelry, check out the workshops at French General...we are always adding in a monthly jewelry workshop to keep you up to date on different techniques and styles.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Whooo's Felting Now?

We're excited to be hosting another Evelyn Neily Felted Workshop at French General on Saturday, October 12th.  I first met Evelyn while teaching at a CHA Workshop in Anaheim a couple of years ago...you can read all about that moving experience here.  So far, Evelyn has taught three of her charming animals at French General...and the Wooly Owl will make number four...for those of you that are collecting them all!  Evelyn also brings her collection of wooly friends and offers up a trunk show at French General all day on the day of her workshop.  Sign up for Evelyn's Workshop or stop by on the 12th just to see her beautiful work!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Lucky Ducks!


Thanks to everyone for following the Moda Blog Hop these past few weeks...and for leaving so many wonderful comments!  The overwhelming majority of you love sewing LAP QUILTS!  I never knew!  I think it would be fun to design a series of lap quilts so that you can make one a month for a whole year...Penny are you listening!?
So, to celebrate the Blog Hop, we have picked a handful of winners...who love to sew!   If you are one of the lucky winners, please drop us a note at notions@frenchgeneral.com with a copy of your comment and your address....and we will get you some of our new Fall 2013 collection, Josephine, faster than you can make up a lap quilt....I think!

Debbie from Lomira, Wisconsin
Deb from Rochester Hills, Michigan
Christine from New Mexico
Karen from Breezy Point, Minnesota
Laurie from West Texas

Merci!!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Color Inspiration Workshop with Amy Butler

A couple of years ago, at a quilt market in Houston, I ran in to Amy Butler and her husband David and in passing I asked Amy if she would ever want to come to France with us to teach.  David immediately answered for her and said, YES!  Then I said, what about two weeks, and David said, YES, again!  So, for almost three weeks this past summer, Amy joined Kick, Molly, Mogull and me as we welcomed guests from all over the world to our little corner of the South of France.  We had such a good time with Amy in France, before our weeks were over, I asked her if she would like to come teach at French General someday.  Not knowing when it would happen...we both loved the idea and decided to work at making it happen.
Fast forward just a couple of months...and we have a plan!  Amy is coming to Los Angeles to teach her Color Inspiration Workshop at French General on Saturday, November 2nd, 2013.  We will start the morning with Amy's colorful talk about how she creates her beautiful patterns and fabric.  Amy includes tips on where to look for color combinations and finding inspiration everywhere - whether we are traveling or sitting in the garden.   We will break for lunch and in the afternoon, begin to put together our own color palette books - filled with fabric swatches, paint chips, and magazine clippings.  Amy will teach how to pull out color from theses collages to create our own personal color palette - which can be used in our homes, our wardrobe and our art.
This promises to be a special day at French General with the unique opportunity of creating with Amy Butler....I hope you can join us!  Seating is limited.
For more information and to sign up please visit our workshop page.
Merci!

Monday, September 02, 2013

Moda Size Matters Blog Hop and Giveaway!


Today is the kick-off day for the Moda Size Matters Blog Hop and Giveaway!  This has been a long time coming...and I'm excited to start the blog hop on day one, along with Edyta of Laundry Basket Quilts and Brigitte of Zen Chic!

Our latest collection for Fall 2013, Josephine, is coming soon!  Filled with our deep reds and pinks, rich browns, and naturals, the Josephine Collection is inspired by Napoleon's first wife, Josephine de Beauharnais.  The first Empress of France was a lover of all things botanical and kept a rose garden at Chateau de Malmaison that rivaled the best English gardens of the time.  For our Josephine Collection, we included beautiful old florals as well as fantasy florals and small petite prints - perfect for mixing into a quilt!

Last Spring,  Lissa Alexander, Moda's master marketing gal, asked each of the Moda designers to chose a block to create.  At the Moda Schoolhouse, we each stood up and presented our block, along with a story of how the block fit into the chosen theme: Size Matters.  I took the theme quite literally...I made my block bigger....


and better.....



When I stood up to present my block, I told everyone I really thought that the point of the project was to make our block bigger - and better!  Little did I realize that everyone else had a block that was actually useable...6x6, 8x8 or even 12x12.  Oh well, my block was designed to be turned into a portable picnic blanket - complete with tie - so you can wear it over your shoulder as you walk to your perfect spot to picnic!  That's Molly's Stella up there sitting on the blanket...she's always ready to picnic!

Download Instructions For Our Block Here


We've also designed a beautiful, large Flying Geese inspired quilt with our new collection, Josephine.  Designed by myself and JZ, sewn by the talented Penny Tucker, and quilted by Cheryl Yamamoto...this quilt, as well as all of our quilts, is truly a team effort.  As many of you know, designing quilts has not come easy to me...but this quilt seemed to flow...I loved the combination of the classic style and the ability to show off the fabric at the same time.



Order the Josephine Quilt Pattern Here

Over the years six years of designing fabric for Moda, I have learned that size really does matter!  Once I settle on a theme for a collection, I go digging in my fabric archives for inspiration.  I look for a couple of large scale prints, a few mediums and a handful of small, or ditsy prints.  Being fairly new to the quilt business, I have learned how important the variety of scale is.  Too many large prints and there is not enough depth or diversity - too many small prints and the design of the quilt can begin to lose itself.  I am so thankful for friends and teachers that have helped me learn this along the way....it's been an important tool for me while designing collections and the accompanying quilts.

Thanks to Moda, I have a handful of giveaways to accompany this blog hop, as well as some cute Josephine Hankies, so go ahead and leave me a comment about your favorite size quilt to sew...is it a lap quilt, a baby quilt or something larger?  Sofia will choose the lucky winners within the week and we will send out some prizes! Thanks for playing along and hope to see some of you in Houston!

Be sure to visit all of the Moda designers throughout the Moda Blog Hop, including Edyta and Brigitte today:

Laundry Basket Quilts
http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/blog/index.php
Zen Chic   
http://www.farbstoff-bridge.blogspot.com
September 5th
Bunny Hill           
http://bunnyhillblog.com/
Basic Grey                         
http://blog.basicgrey.com/
Sweetwater                            
http://sweetwater.typepad.com/makelifesweet/
September 6th
Jan Patek  
http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Pat Sloan         
http://blog.patsloan.com/
Pieces From My Heart                     
http://piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com/
September 9th
Deb Strain                 
http://debstrain.blogspot.com/
Barbara Brackman                                     
http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/
V & Co.                      
http://www.vanessachristenson.com
September 10th
Lauren & Jessi Jung     
http://laurenandjessiblog.com/
Kate Spain             
http://katespaindesigns.blogspot.com/
Me & My Sister                      
http://meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/
September 11th
Kathy Schmitz Studios                              
http://kathyschmitzstudio.blogspot.com/
Minick & Simpson          
http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
Primitive Gathering                                
http://lisabongean.wordpress.com/
September 12th
Fig Tree                                    
http://figtreequilts.typepad.com/my_weblog/
A Stitch and Dye 
malka@stitchindye.com
Thimbleblossoms                                        
http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/
September 13th
Blackbird Designs                                           
http://blackbird-designs.blogspot.com/
Cotton Way                                 
http://cottonway.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Ryan Design Studio            
http://www.stephanieryandesign.com/blog/
Kansas Troubles                                       
http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/
Aneela Hoey     

http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/

A quilt assembly pattern will be supplied on Moda's blog,
http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/ on September 16th.
Have fun!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Learning to Make Jewelry


We've just finished our Fall 2013 Josephine bracelet and necklace kits, and have planned a workshop on jewelry making for all those who have been dying to make up one of our kits, but haven't learned the secret to opening and closing a jump ring or looping wire.  Come spend the day with us and learn the basics so you can make up your own beautiful, vintage-inspired jewelry.  All of our kits use antique glass, charms and findings - frustrating to some and exclusive to all!  Each student will choose their favorite kit and have the option of making the kit as a bracelet or a necklace.  Sign up today to reserve your seat!  If you are one step ahead and already know how to make up our kits, you can purchase our Fall kits now at www.frenchgeneral.com
Merci!



Monday, August 05, 2013

The Beauty of Lavender

If you have ever walked through a lavender field, you know immediately how calming and intoxicating the scent can be.  Short of taking everyone to France to visit my friend Nadette who grows over eight varieties of lavender on her land....we thought it would be fun to offer a workshop at French General that brings the history and uses of lavender to you.
Come spend the day with aromatherapy specialist, Lisa Meng, who also happens to be my sister - and learn about the healing, calming and historical properties of lavender.  Lisa has been growing and using lavender and other essential oils for over twenty years to help people learn to relax, sleep through the night and cure headaches....just a few of the magical properties of lavender you will learn in the workshop!
Lisa will guide you through the history of lavender, the uses of the plant and then show you how to create your own lavender salt scrub, massage butter, lip balm and body spray.  A variety of essential and carrier oils will be introduced for you to make up your own unique scent.  All materials are supplied for the workshop, including packaging ideas and sources...in case you get hooked and want to make up a batch on your own!
 Join us for this special day - the perfect way to treat yourself!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Nina Bagley is Coming to Town!


Ten years ago, my good friend Holly from Key West called and said she was headed to Montreal to take a workshop with an artist named Nina Bagely.  My first response was "You're going where...to do what...with who?" And then she told me she was going to take Molly Meng with her for the week....
Back then, living in New York, owning French General on Crosby Street,  I didn't know anyone teaching workshops - except the local art center or knitting store.  But Holly was a visionary and knew that there were artists out there that were extremely talented and were sharing their work in intensive workshops.  Molly and Holly came home form Montreal with a whole new set of techniques and ideas....they just sucked up the creativity that Nina was offering and their artistic talent and eyes flourished.  
Last summer, while we were in France and I was learning all about Instagram...Nina's name popped up....again.  I hadn't heard about her in years, other than Molly constantly saying "Oh I learned this in Nina's workshop -  and I learned that from Nina in Montreal - oh and that little trick...I learned it from Nina."  Who was this woman?  So, I wrote to Nina (rhymes with China) and asked her if she would ever consider coming out to Los Angeles to teach at French General.
To my surprise....Nina wrote back in a flash and said she would love to teach at French General!  Quick panic set in as I didn't really know what Nina would teach!  But within days, Nina had sent me not one, but two wonderful workshop ideas.  Using her metal and charm techniques, Nina will teach two jewelry workshops - and although each workshop can stand alone - both will build on each other.  
Nina's first workshop, will be an evening of fun, on Thursday, October 17th from 6-9.  Nina will focus on teaching us how to build and layer vintage charms and amulets.  Techniques include: learning how to coil wrap wire, drill mother of pearl and build a birds nest using wire and pearls.  All materials and tools will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring any old bits and pieces that you would like to turn into a jewelry charm...old mother of pearl buttons or buckles, beads or broken bits to precious to live without.
The second workshop, on Saturday, October 19th will be a full day of learning.  We will gather at 10 in the morning and spend the whole day creating a multi-wrap choker or bracelet.  Filled with Nina's own unique techniques, this workshop will allow you to use all sorts of vintage buttons, beads, textiles and leather to design a richly detailed jewelry wrap.

Both workshops will have a limited amount of seats so that students have the opportunity to get up close and personal with Nina.  This is a special opportunity and we hope you will be able to join us.

Thursday, October 17th from 6-9

Saturday, October 19th from 10-4

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Down and Dirty Indigo Dyeing


I've really taken to natural dyeing over the past few years and I am excited to finally teach a workshop at French General this summer.  As well as building up indigo vats in the back alley at French General,  we will be learning classic Japanese Shibori techniques, like twisting, binding and tying, to create resist patterns on fabric.  

After building the vats in the morning, we will spend a couple of hours sewing and clamping our patterns onto summer hemp cloth and silk scarves.  At noon, we will break for lunch and then in the afternoon, head out back to dip our fabric into the vats.  


Simple enough for everyone, down and dirty indigo dying is really a very simple technique that allows you to experiment with different fibers and see how they react to the indigo dye...I am always pleasantly surprised when I see my work after spending time creating the pattern.


If you would like to spend the day learning about this exciting process, please sign up here or call the shop, we still have a few spots open!  We provide everything you need for the workshop, just be sure to wear your blues!

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Teaching at French General.....


I love a good teacher.  And for the past ten years, all of the teachers at French General have been women.  I'm not sure why or how or even when...but somehow, when we began the process of building the workshops at  French General, we connected with women that were skilled at their craft and willing to teach in a remote area of Los Angeles.

We've had some of the best come through these doors to teach...including Charlotte Lyons, Pam Garrison, Rebecca Sower, Arlene Baker, Molly Meng, Jenny Hart, KC Willis, Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray, Pam Keravouri, Evelyn Neily, Denise Lambert...just to name a few!  Coming soon are Ulla Milbrath, Brenda Walton, Nina Bagley and Amy Butler...just to name a few more!

Robert Mahar walked into French General one day and changed the temperature....here was this extremely talented man that wanted to teach at French General...and we wanted to have him teach!  I met Robert at a Family Dinner - a monthly gathering planned at a local Eastside restaurant by a talented 'unnamed stitcher' - although Robert claims we met years earlier at a party at French General.....no matter.....we met!  Robert is a master of craft and can almost do anything he puts his mind to!

Robert has brought his craft of precise detail and impeccable taste to French General with his crepe paper flower workshop....which he is offering once again this Saturday, July 13th.  If you know Robert or are curious about his creative style...join us for his summer workshop....and you too will enjoy the charm!

Meanwhile....if you are a talented woman or MAN that would like to teach a workshop at French General...please be in touch!  We are a retail shop, which offers a creative workshop every Saturday...except when we are in France!

Monday, July 08, 2013

Jewelry Making at Quilt Festival!

A couple of years ago at The Creative Connection in Minneapolis, I met a wonderful women named Judy Murrah who convinced me to come and teach at the International Quilt Festival.  At first, I thought...why would I teach at a quilt festival....I don't quilt!  But what I have come to realize over the years, is that quilters just don't quilt...they do paper arts, they make jewelry, they knit, they even love to dye with indigo!  So, I jumped in, had a wonderful experience meeting women from all over the country.....and once again, I will be back teaching at the Quilt Festival in Long Beach this summer!  


I'll be teaching two different workshops - both jewelry and both easy enough for someone that has never made jewelry before.  The Button Jewelry Workshop uses handfuls of old mother of pearl buttons and vintage crystals to create beautiful button cuff bracelets as well as an eyeglass holder...something more and more of us need these days!


 The Embellished Cuff Workshop, uses over a yard of chain and 72 beads, buttons and charms to create a weighty cuff bracelet filled with treasures.  I will be offering this workshop in a variety of colors...russet red, turquoise blue and natural linen....something for everyone!  

In our classroom, we will be setting up a French General petite market where you will be able to buy our latest Moda collection, Josephine, as well as a handful of new jewelry kits, paper art kits and even pieces of our document fabric collection.

If you are in the area or happen to be coming to the Quilt Festival in Long Beach, please join us for one or both of our workshops...sign ups are open for another couple of weeks through the Quilt Festival Website.  See you in Long Beach!

Friday, July 05, 2013

The France I Know....


After taking women to France for the past five years, I have come to know a side of France that is all together different than what I used to know.  I used to be intimidated by the French, worried that they saw me as a tourist...or worse...someone who was unable to communicate with them and therefor, they were not willing to communicate with me!


But now, after showing over 150 women the France I know, I have become very comfortable and see France as a second home.  I love walking through the markets with women who have never been to a French farmer's market - seeing it through their eyes for the very first time.  Exploring all of the spices, vegetables, fruit and cheeses...everything has a unique smell and a texture and everything is fresh.


The French market baskets are another favorite highlight of the market...everyone needs at least one in their life...but many seem to need a handful!  All hand-made, these baskets are sold by the men and women that weave them and are a staple at every market.


Our trips would not be complete without the daily visits to the brocantes or vide greniers...the second hand shopping of France!  Over the years, we have gotten to know many of the dealers and they now open up early for us or even pay a special visit to the chateau to sell their wares.


Some of my favorite finds are not the ones that are priced out of my budget, but the small forgotten pieces of the past...a porcelain tart dish, a well-worn straw covered flask, a hank of chanvre, a strand of hand-knotted mother of pearl beads, or a repaired grain bag from Paris....


When we returned this week from France, a couple of us actually thought we had lost weight...is that even possible!?  I think it's from eating so well - everyday!  All of our food is made fresh from local, organic ingredients - nothing processed or frozen....it really does make a difference!


Although I am always happy to return back home to California, I try to hold onto the simple life that I have enjoyed on our Chateau Getaway month.  Planned a whole year in advance, we are already taking sign-ups for our 2014 summer trip....maybe you will join us one day!

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Just in Case You Missed the Sunflowers in France....

Five years ago, we started taking groups of women to the South of France to learn to live like a rural Frenchwoman...while living in a 17th century chateau!  We have just returned from our month in France with Amy Butler who was our guest artist for the month of June.  Everything was going according to plan, except for the sunflowers...who were barely visible...due to all of the rain in France this past winter and spring.  A highlight of our summer trips, the sunflowers were sorely missed!  To make up for our lost beauties, Arlene Baker, the master flower maker, will be joining us at French General this Saturday, July 6th for her Ribbon Sunflower Workshop.  Sign up soon to reserve your spot..this class is not to be missed!
More soon on our trip to France..including some of our beautiful found treasures that will be listed in our petite brocante at frenchgeneral.com
Merci!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

In the Blue at Sew Makerie

A couple of weeks ago, I packed up my indigo and shibori bag of tricks and headed east to Colorado for a wonderful weekend of creating at Sew Makerie - a new addition to the annual Makerie Retreat that happens every year at the historical Chautauqua in Boulder.  The Chautauqua, built in 1898, is the only Chautauqua west of the Mississippi River still continuing in unbroken operation since the heyday of the Chautauqua Movement in the 1920s.
Ali, the organizer and master planner of The Makerie asked if I would teach a shibori and natural dye workshop.  Originally I thought it would be fun to experiment with cochineal, fusticwood and rosemary...but once I realized we would be dyeing in the tent outside, I settled on cold water indigo vats.   We began learning a bit about the history of indigo, both around the world and right here in our own backyard...the plant was introduced to South Carolina in 1839 and widely used to color all of our natural fibers.

After we had twisted, clamped, tied and sewed all sorts of shapes and lines to create a resist, we placed the fabrics into the dye vats that had been made up earlier in the morning.  Everyone loved seeing their fibers turn from murky green to brilliant blue in a matter of seconds once the air oxidized the fabric.  
Here is an indigo scarf I made using the nui stitched shibori technique - with over 48 wave lines - and then dipped in the indigo vats three times for a very deep blue color.  I worked on this for weeks while watching Sofia swim at her swim meets - I think I thoroughly embarrassed her!
Here is a sample from Liesl Gibson's Smocked Necklace Workshop - she first ombre dipped the cloth into the indigo vat and then stitched it together - the result was truly beautiful!

If you get the chance to attend a Makerie Retreat...don't hesitate!  The weekend was not only relaxing but so inspiring and living in an old cabin was the icing on the cake!  For more information and to see when the next event is read more here.