Welcome, YMIB Sewing Circle Members!
I’m pleased to announce that our first Sewing Circle event is ready to launch! I met Ericka Taylor, the founder of ymib and a friend of CE, several years ago at a trunk show I gave in Atlanta and we’ve been in touch ever since, helping each other on various projects & activities. When Ericka announced her plans to start a Sewing Circle at ymib, I knew we had to get involved, and we look forward to exchanging ideas & creative inspiration along the way!Â
To get things started, we’re offering one lucky winner a choice of any one of my how-to project books: African Accents, On The Go!, or Global Expressions. All you have to do is post a response to our survey question below. Then take a few minutes to check out the CE website.  You’ll also receive a subscription to Cultured Expressions’ free e-newsletter, featuring new products, upcoming events and more. Post your response by May 5 and you’ll be entered into the random prize drawing.Â
To enter the first Sewing Circle / Cultured Expressions prize drawing, please share with us:
How do you incorporate cultural style into your sewing projects? Maybe it’s through your fabrics, colors or silhouettes. Or do you like to use special types of beads, buttons or other embellishments with cultural significance?Â
I choose colors that represent aspects of life that my ancestors apreciated such as nature. Turns out these browns deep reds sunflower yellows greens and even white go beautifully with shades of brown skin. universally colors can translate almost any cultural message or intention.
by became become becomming — April 6, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
When I am developing a new project I always start with a simple concept and work in things that remind me of my culture. The one thing I try to work in an African print, either as the main fabric or as an accent. The second thing is that I always sew the adinkra symbol “Duafe” into my clothing. I found a great shop on http://www.etsy.com that created these beautiful iron on lables so it is so easy to add them to everything that I make. I love this symbol because it reminds me of all the beautiful women that I get my creativity from and it connects me to the motherland. I think I am going to hit my sewing machine up now. Happy Sewing!
by Toeanzar — April 7, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
I agree with bbb: COLOR— it’s the whole anti beige thing…. My culture reflects the rich tapestry of life, and it can’t be captured in a beige room. So paint is my friend. It’s inexpensive and gives an instant lift. I also include pictures of family, treated with the same respect as fine art… framed, matted and grouped. And, I adore “hand me downs” from family members and family friends… things with a personal history have much more appeal to me: the table where my mother’s mother served so many family meals, the end tables that were in my parents’ first apartment (scarred and in need of refinishing), the silver platter that was my great grandmother’s. And finally, I embrace handmade crafts and art.
by cat — April 7, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
I love color! Mixing bright, vibrant colors with dark smokey or smoldering tones are for me. Using paints helps me express myself artistically on fabrics and I believe that is my culture.
Constantly being amazed at the Creators artistry all around and wanting to capture it in functional art pieces is want I like and what I do.
by Fufulinda — April 8, 2008 @ 3:20 am
My sewing is more for fun and it is about expressing ones creativity. I like to sew outfits that are a tad on the unconventional side. I enjoy costuming. The costumes I like to make are inspired by Disney and Japanese Animation. My favorite outfit that I made was Princess Jasmine outfit. It was fun because I had little kids believing I was really her. So basically the outfits I pick tend to be heavy towards Asian clothing which is fun for me.
by Livvylove — April 8, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
I love to use “checks” on items where it would not be expected. I make aprons, tablecloths, bedsheets, tops and everything else imaginable with them. In my homeland the checks are used to make pangi’s (cloth wrapped around the waist) and have different messages this way a man can tell if a woman is ready for him, sisters can tell if one or the other is aggitated it is an “unspoken language” and I hold it dearly. When making pangi’s I try to use other fabrics like javenese batiks and extremely bright red checkered fabric that the native indians use. It’s a fun way to pay homage to all my ancestors and to feel close to home living so far away.
As soon as I get a new sewingmachine my next project will be sari made from african dutch wax even if it is only to spite my indian aunties at the next get together
by Chayil — April 17, 2008 @ 11:33 am
Almost everything I wear pays tribute to my ancestors both Asian and African. I wore an Afrikan printed sari to a Hindu ceremony I attended a few months ago. The female elder, who spoke to me through an interprer explained how to properly wear it. (I had gotten instructions from an Indian friend who actually hates wearing the sari). It felt as though my own great grandmother was talking to me that day. So every day, whether it is cowrie shells, an adinkra symbol, kimono or sari fabric does find a place in my life. Somedays I wear colours that are earthy (brown, terracotta, green) and/or mysterious (purple, indigo, sapphire, turquoise) and someays it all about passion (red, pink, yellow)! But then the real fun begins when I combine certain colours. All I can say is wow. I know my ancestors are delighted!
by Queen Auset — April 18, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
I love to use various natural trims and buttons that are made of abalone and sea shell. Many times I will put something that glitters or with an iridescent touch to catch the eye. I enjoy using various types of threads; buttonhole twists; sliver; shiney; metallic. Then I just embellish with all of the stitches on my sewing machine. I also, love experimenting with all of the speciality feet to create various textures on the surface of the fabric. I enjoy combining dressmaking and quilting skills to create a unique project.
by Fola Afua — April 18, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
I enjoy incorporating the use of abalone shell buttons, iridescent trims or some ethnic style button to emblish a garment or home project like a pillow. Many times, I will just ‘play’ using various types of threads and many different feet for my machine(s). Yeah I’ll admit it….I have more than 1 sewing machine. Please note, this is not a brag, but a confession (lol). I love embellishing with manipulating fabrics for a unique and creative effect. Many times, I may not even know what the creation will turn out to be. It just ‘evolves’ into something beautiful.
by Fola Afua — April 18, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
Culture can be reflected in so many ways. I love creating something new and I love Color! I always think about how color makes me feel, when I start a new project. If I am creating a project for someone I always incoporate some of the color personality of that person. Then it becomes very easy to add adinkra symbols,shells or other embellishments, anything that might represet a little of my style and culture as well as the style and culture of the person that I am creating for. I like to also use natural strips of fabic, pieces of fabric with different textures and shapes.
by Rimi — April 19, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I prefer to piece star patterns and similarr celestial imagery into my quilts. The women of my family have often looked up towards the heavens when they need inspiration or guidance or simply to remember. The sky was one thing that could not be taken away from them when everything else was, so they looked to the stars and learned to be just as unflinching as the fiery giants who make their presence known as often as the setting of the sun. Just as I look up to remember my family, I like to think that they looked up, once, and knew their strengths and sacrifices would not be forgotten by their children.
by sylshessa — April 20, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
yes, i celebrate the african culture in my home everyday. instead of the traditional everyday items i make my own using mudcloth, burlap,
going to all the cultural events in my hometown of philadelphia.
we have some coming up in may& june. i just love creating it calms me and makes me happy that i have created a beautiful work of art.And when people asks me where did you get that i just say i made it myself. it is a wonderful experience to have and to know the culture……
by pamela — April 20, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
My design and creative skills are an aesthetic expression of my poetic soul, inherently sensuous, a dynamic effluence of my spiritual and cultural SELF. I invoke and welcome my ancestors when I am creating, with incense, candles and uplifting music, evoking ancestral memories in the drape and cut of what I create, often cutting freehand or just wrapping and knotting fabrics. I use African fabrics, natural cottons, hemp and silk in rainbow colours and vivid patterns that echo the vibrance, beauty and spirit of my African and Caribbean heritage. I embellish my creations with shells, beads, buttons, embroidery, crochet, paints and dyes, incorporating African motifs and symbols that are birthed from the womb of elemental femininity….. And as I look forward, in reverence and respect for Mother Earth, and the healing waters of Osun and Yemoja, I recycle, and reuse, creating something new from old, using patchwork and quilting. I have embraced eco friendly, organic and sustainable dyes, paints, fabrics and yarns such as bamboo and banana silk. I source materials from fairly traded projects in the Motherland, and other First World countries, so that my sisters and brothers are able to provide for their families, and hold their heads up high….. Cultural “style” is more than just a mere fashion statement for me it is the manifestation of my divine creative energy……….
BLESSINGS!!
by Dee — April 26, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
When coming up with creative concepts for culture focused outfits I always begin by choosing a color palette that inspires me and reminds me of my rich heritage (thank goodness I have such a colorful culture). I also like to use elements of traditional wear in my outfits and once I’ve found something inspirational enough I style it out in my own way and add a little personal flavor to it. I always finish off the outfit with some trade beads (or brass ornaments but only if they compliment the design).
And voila my recipe for an outfit full of African soul, inspiration and spirit.
by Omotoke Olagbaju — April 28, 2008 @ 7:31 pm