Ready to MAKE Creativity at IWCE
- Trim Queen, Jana Platina Phipps
- Feb 21, 2018
- 3 min read
One of the things I love about IWCE expo is that it is full of creative energy. The exhibition floor is abuzz with exchanges of ideas between suppliers, workroom experts and designers. That’s the added bonus to coming to this trade, it’s not just about sourcing, it’s about learning, growing and sharing our knowledge with one another, in person and for future reference.
In my Trim Queen world, my favorite people to follow on social media and engage with are the makers. Seeing my trimmings in their hands, how they use materials, especially in ways I did not foresee, informs my design work and inspires me to evolve. I spoke to LuAnn Nigara about this on her podcast, A Well Designed Business.
This expo, it’s my pleasure to hit the Construction Zone with some of my materials and get hands-on with anyone ready to play. We’ll gather Tues at 11am and Wed at 2pm to make DIY Bespoke Embellishments. This workshop was born out of the idea that if you cannot find something in the marketplace, you make it yourself. No experience required, join me!
Handmade Passementerie
Frog closure on sofa skirt at Wesley Hall
Passmenterie on pillow at Eastern Accents
Let’s make passementerie -- This French word translates “to turn by hand”. In 16th Century France, the artist Guild of Passementiers was created, that elevated turning braids into embellishments like frogs and tassels into an artform. It took seven years for an apprentice to become a master and his thesis, a subsequent calling card, was an ornate tassel showcasing his skill. The French aristocracy kept these artisans busy covering nearly every square inch of their noble residences embellishing their fine fabrics and furnishings. We’ll start with some basic techniques that will translate to any materials you use in your work.
Tassel making technique
It’s Tassel Time -- There are some fancy tools you can buy to make tassels, but I use a piece of cardboard to wind the yarn into warp for the skirt. Tassels are all about the yarn, the color and the drape-ability. You can use solid yarns, mix yarns or use a metallic ombre one like I have here (I am crazy for a touch of metallic that catches the light in a room.) Trimmings are rightfully known as the jewelry of decor, the embellishment that pulls all elements together. We’ll have a blast making these although they won’t exactly get us our next royal commission. But you have to start somewhere!
Get Pompom Fever -- If your work is more Boho or perhaps you are embellishing kids’ furnishings, pompoms may be your vibe. Note my fancy tool, LOL, it’s a wooden fork! Again, I will bring my fancier tools to share but this household item does the trick perfectly. I used a vintage yarn I had in my stash, wool and acrylic yarns will puff up nicely and you may BYOY (bring your own yarn) if you like. Beware, pompom-making is addictive, and you may get pompom fever in the Construction Zone at this workshop.
Pompom making made easy
In between presenting my seminar Translating Fashion Trends to Original Designs with Staying Power and DIY Bespoke Embellishments workshops, I’ll be attending keynotes and seminars myself, shopping the exhibitors, reporting on social media and making new Fringe Friends. Please come and introduce yourself. I’ll be snapping photos for an Expo Recap and will be on the lookout for embellished IWCE stylemakers. I’m really looking forward to an inspiring show. So, until Tampa...keep #trimspotting!
Credit:
Jana Platina Phipps
Trim Queen
Comments