I could tell you that our vacation is off to a wonderful start. That we’re all having fun. About the children’s first horseback ride ever or the amazing art experience at the Frist. But, I know you really just want the dish on Anna Maria Horner, on the class, on her fabric (yes, Innocent Crush!!!).
on Anna
If you read her blog you can’t be surprised to hear that Anna Maria Horner is friendly, approachable and completely charming. I’ll say even more friendly in person, if that’s possible. I was truly nervous about the whole thing. Not just about meeting Anna, but about the whole class experience. But, just as it is here in crafty blogland, the ladies at the Skirting Couture class were beyond nice. I’m far from a social butterfly, but I already feel among friends.
Ok, back to Anna. She’s quite genuine. Her love for fabric, for fun and for her family pour out all at once. Like a true southern lady, she made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. And that’s why I don’t think anyone could feel very star-struck once they’ve met her. She’s all too nice for all that.
On class
For class, we’re creating with one of Anna Maria Horner’s soon-to-release skirt patterns, Proper Attire Skirt.
Anna began the class by sharing her story – how she journeyed from college years studying drawing to her gig as a fabric designer (among other talents). She was actually designing other products like stationary and gift wrap when Freespirit fabrics approached her with an offer for fabric design.
After an opportunity for all students to introduce themselves and confess to fear of the invisible zipper, Anna treated us to a mini-lecture on the basics of fashion draping. She demonstrated draping, pining and cutting fabric to create a pattern template on a dress form, and made sure we all understood the difference between body measurements and finished measurements, allowing for ease.
Information is good.
After lunch we were all eager to get started. And then came the hard part – which style of skirt and which fabric?
on Innocent Crush
Oh, the fabrics! Anna brought a gorgeous selection of Good Folks and Little Folks. She also brought a sample of each skirt style made in Innocent Crush, her new collection to release this fall. Remember that pretty patchwork she posted to her blog yesterday as Afloat in Patchwork? She had turned that work of art into a pretty gathered skirt. And the waistband is a scrumptious velveteen.
I didn’t know what to think when I heard that Innocent Crush would include velveteens. Velveteens? Just touching it convinced me. Soft, but not solid velvet. Not too heavy, not too much. And if anyone else wondered at velveteen, I suppose we should all know better than to doubt Anna Maria Horner’s instinct for substrates after those crazy-fabulous Little Folks voiles. So velveteens… for slippers? a robe? a cuddly plushie? a baby quilt? ahhhh, I SEE!
A few more peaks at Innocent Crush!
Innocent Crush is scheduled to hit stores this November. It’ll include cotton voiles, a bunch of quilting cottons and velveteens too!
More class tomorrow. And, yes, I feel completely blessed to be here!
Stitched in Color 