Long time friend, Mary Ray was in town presenting a trunk show of her fabulous garments at Waechter's Silk Shop in Asheville.
Mary is known for her impeccable construction, innovative and classy designs. Her long list of credentials include multiple fashion show awards, designer for Fairfield & Bernina Fashion Shows, Editor with Threads Magazine, her own custom fashion design business, Bernina Artisan, as well as a giving and talented instructor. She and her husband moved to Banner Elk about 6 years ago where they own a wine and cheese shop.
Though we probably only live less than 2 1/2 hours away.....to this point, we've only seen each other on the road, so it was great to have the opportunity to see some of her new work. I hope you'll enjoy this mini show.
Mary loves to create smart and stylish quilted clothing. Many avoid this approach because of the bulk, but she has developed innovative patterns and procedures to keep the clothing flat and flattering.
Mary advocates pressing, pressing, pressing before during and after construction. She likes to use Hobb's Wool Batting and thinner drapey fabrics rather than heavy cottons.
She shared many of her tricks when working with different weights of fabrics. For instance, she'll back a lighter fabric with a fusible tricot interfacing to bring it's weight up to heavier ones that she's working with. I too use this stabilizer for most of my garments and find it's worth the trouble!
Not all her pieces are quilted....this one has inset panels of a textured fabric to add interest.
Other times she'll achieve texture by stitching in large grids.
This small bag was inspired by a photo of baked goods (photo beneath the purse).....who'd have thunk? Mary's doesn't focus on too many embellishments....but clearly she know how!
This is so typical of a Mary Ray design.........classy!!!
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