As 2026 unfolds.... yearning for new adventures, experiences and projects fill my thoughts.
How can we connect with others in more meaningful ways? What will we create?…What calls me forward now?
For me…I’m always looking for ways wood and textile can play together in my hands. I combined some favorite sticks with bits of fabric for this new studio pin cushion.See more pin cushion ideas in my Pin Cushion Icons PDF pattern.
My Textile life-Over the years, I’ve enjoyed designing and redesigning my wardrobe….so as 2026 unfolds, thinning out my pattern stash has been a satisfying activity.
‘We probably only need 4-5 basic patterns…’ I’ve heard myself say in workshops.
My design focus is usually changing and adding details and playing with silhouettes of my garments.
Keep your Basics:
My basics are: Pant Pattern (Capitola Pant), several tops and tunics I (which can also be shirts or dresses) and my favorite coat/jacket/vest designs: including Ashland Vest, Cloud Coat, Faultlines and the O’Keeffe.
Changing up the Construction Process-Build your favorite part first- this can give way to ideas for other details as you work. Your start might be a pocket, sleeves or in this case the collar. I en-visioned what I wanted the collar and front opening to look like with the darker flannel on top and the lighter color combo peeking through from the linging side.
Next, the fronts were a focus as pieces of the shirts were cut out, overlapped and adjusted to fit a tunic pattern piece that was used as a guide. Each front was constructed and finished separately- stitched and lined with the thinner blue flannel fabric. The back was the next, worked in the same fashion. Using some pieces on the bias will add more give across the back. The top of the sideseams are connected for 4-5” just enough to add the sleeves, but not sewn all the way down.
Sleeves & Armholes-Once the shoulders were connected, the armholes were bound to finish. For this garment, The sleeves were created, lined, turned and topstitched to the outside of the shirt with a sq armhole across the bottom….very comfortable!! ( The Cacicedo coat has a square armhole and I often create them to be open across the bottom. I love make this as a shirt! See my website for shirt DE Extras for the Cacicedo….Its not a pattern, but its all the cool design changes and directions for making the Cacicedo pattern into a beautiful, timeless shirt. The last step is shaping the silhouette allowing side seam options to create overlaps, topstitching or sewing a shaped seam leaving slits.
photo of Diane by Marcy Tilton
Design Outside the Lines in Taos!
September DOL- We will be back in Taos, an inspiring setting and workshop space that always opens unexpected creative directions for everyone. Our guest teahcer is a lifelong maker and fabric printer, Cheryl Rezendes…so the studio will be buzzing with printing and stitching and combinations of materials that call to us in New Mexico!~ It is my favorite location and session to share with you!
Textile designs by Cheryle Rezendes
We look forward to MAKING with you in 2026. All my best to you …and may we all bring Peace in the ways we can, Diane