One of my favorite things to do,with one of my favorite people is to attend a Design Outside The Lines Workshop with Diane Ericson. It is an inspiring adventure for any creative person and having attended 10 over the years I learn something new every time. I love that Diane has a great guest artist to bring something new to each retreat. Last September in Taos Holly Bagdley was Diane’s guest and we all had a great time learning from her.
I loved her technique of using scraps and ‘bits’to make interesting pieces of textiles that has lots of uses. I decided to use my piece as a collar on Diane’s Ventana Jacket pattern.
Holly brought bags of scraps that we all picked our favorite bits from,and after she demonstrated her technique, we were off creating.

Choosing our ‘bit’s.

Lots of great ideas.

made the collar piece without any idea what I was going to use with it. Because I am a collector (hoarder) of fabric, I had this rust wool Melton that matched perfectly. Diane’s pattern is so much fun to use. The directions are very easy to follow and i just love the whole look and size of it. It’s like a storybook for sewers.
(I am having trouble with my editing so I am adding my photos at the end.)
I finished the vest , bound the armhole and because the fabric did not fray I just edged stitched the front edges and hem.
I made an extra collar piece and played around with the layout. I love how it came together in the back, and just put a few hand stitches to keep it in place.
I overlapped the side seams and thought I would make a narrow strip and cover the seams. I like how that looks too.
I don’t usually wear this color so I need some clothes to wear with it. As its approaching Spring, I think this will be a Fall item. I will make this again, probably in Linen .
I will be in Taos again in September helping Diane out so Looking forward to friends old and new.