Designs by Judi

Every Wearable Artists desire is to become a Fairfield/ Bernina Fashion Designer.  In 1996 I was invited for the first time to design a garment for Fairfield Fashion show.  What an exciting  time this was for me.  I designed an Asian inspired garment I called "Modern Day Cinderella.. It was my interpretation of what Cinderella might have dressed like in Japan.    Since that first garment I was asked back to design 4 more times.  Each time I was thrilled and challenged at the same time.  After all, My ensemble went down the runway amongst the best of the best in the Wearable Art World...

Modern Day Cinderella, modeled by my Daughter Cynthia.  The dress is 4 layers, It is heavily quilted using 3 layers, then I had to add a lining so the models wouldn't rip out the stitches while dressing.. The cape is designed to look like a fur stole on the outside. You are seeing the inside of the cape that has Cinderella, the carriage and horses all done on a satin lining in Thread Painting...It actually went to Japan..

From the Highest Heavens HE is watching over me...2004

This ensemble is radiant in the rich colors of the velvet.  The Coat represents the heavens, or sky, while the dress represents the deep sea.

The ensemble coat is pieced velvet that I dyed in shades of white and soft blue to represent the sky.  The dress is actually a blouse and skirt made of rayon velvet that I stamped, embroidered and embellished with litterly hundreds of Swarvoski crystals. There is beautiful trim on the end of each layer of the skirt from Hollywood Trims.

Some up-close  details of the Garments:

 

Modern Day Cinderella Detail..

View of shoulder embelishments.

From the Highest Heavens to the Deepest Sea. HE is watching over me..Skirt detail

The Earth and All of it's Glory.  This is a close up of the stuffed grapes going down the dress.  This gives it a 3-D effect.

This is How it Feels to Be Free..Close up of the thread painting on the sheer fabric.

Hidden Treasures Close up of the painted flowers, before the crystals were applied.

The Earth and all of it's Glory..2003

This ensemble was so elaborate it took me over 6 months to cmplete. I was inspired by the beautiful layers of the earth. Each layer has a beauty of it's own. 

The hand embroidery and hand beading is extensive.  The dress is silk dupioni, the leaves trailing down the dress are lame` and the grapes are stuffed, so they are actually 3_D The Purse is delightful. it is a Ghee's purse pattern.  Easy to follow instructions and loads of fun to do.

This is How it Feels to be Free...2005

The ensemble is made up of 3 layers.  The lining, the underlayer of satin which has double

needle lines. and an overlay of sheer fabric which I embroidered butterflies.. They are all done in free motion embroidery. 

The back train has been sprinkled with 3-D free form butterflies that were made by free motion embroidery.  The flowers around the neckline and waist are all silk from Hannah Silks,  Oh so beautiful..

Hidden Treasures  2007...

This 5 piece ensemble was designed around my book, Bold and Beautiful Artful Quilts.  The The Coat and Jacket are made of Batik Fabric.

the Coat and Jacket are quilted around the flowers and other little surprises in them.  Then painted with a variety of paints, pens and inks.  Then heavily embellishes with Sworvorski crystals and nail heads.  The blouse, which is barely seen here, is designes with silk ribbon in strips.  The rayon pants are done with a twin needle tenchnique before being constructed.