Finding the Courage to Cut

Every time a new Steiger textile arrives, my husband asks, What are you going to use that for?  He doesn't grasp the concept of a collection for a collection's sake.  Usually, I'll pet the fabric for a while and then carefully fold it printed side in and place it in my special glass fronted cabinet.  The fabric respository is in a darkened room so that sunlight will not fade it, but the collection is easily glimpsed as I work in and around the room.  It's very comforting to me to see them all so neatly folded and stacked.  And, just knowing the Steiger fabrics are safe is enough for me. 

I do have plans for one of the Steiger designs.  It's called Arizona Sketchbook and looks like an assortment of post cards depicting all kinds of interesting things in Arizona:  recreation, towns, wildlife, etc.  I plan to make a quilt out of it in a log cabin Courthouse Steps configuration.  The fabric is brown ink printed on an ivory background and I've already acquired the complementary fabrics in brown, gold, purple and red.  And, just as soon as I finish my Shweshwe Maple Leaf quilt (about half finished hand quilting it) and the Japanese geisha and  bamboo applique top for my friend, Marie (probably the first and last applique quilt I'll ever do), I'll start on Arizona Sketchbook.  But, for the rest of the Steiger fabrics I have no plans.  At least, I didn't have any plans until recently. 

In truth, I've been very reluctant to cut up my Steiger treasures.  I know, I know.  They were made to be used.  My fear is that once I commit to a projecct, that fabric will be gone and I may never see it again on the open market.  The fabrics are becoming scarcer and scarcer and more and more expensive.  But, when I visited Joan (Steiger's niece), she gave me a skirt already cut out in Tumbleweeds.  It's beautiful--- rust background with navy blue ink.  What Joan gave me was a lined wrap around skirt, typical of the 1960's.  It sat in my collection cupboard for a couple of weeks before I took it out to assess what I could do with it.  I ended up reducing the length and turning it into a gathered skirt.  I had enough left over to make a rounded yoke for a corresponding blouse in navy.  I suppose it really is a two piece dress.  It turned out well. 

In years past, I used to make nearly all of my clothes.  My first ambition in life was to be a fashion designer and I tested all kinds of fabrics in all kinds of garments from formal dresses to suits.  i developed considerable skills, but never translated that into a profession or business.  As real life took over, I had less and less time to sew, and like so many, gave into the convenience of ready-made clothing.  My success with Joan's already cut out skirt gave me the courage to move forward with other garments made in Steiger fabrics.  Over the last year, I've found some really lovely garments made by others, on-line and during my survey documentation in Tubac.  People like me lucked into a Steiger fabric and put their sewing skills to use.  So, I decided to do the same, finally, according to my husband.

My first effort was a fabric given to me by Joan.  It's called Weeds and is an overall design of black ink on a beautiful rich turquoise blue. If the truth be known, I generally wear shorts and t-shirts most of the time.  But, a nice loose fitting dress is a welcomed addition to the Arizona wardrobe.  So, I selected a vintage dress pattern with a square yoke that I found at a thrift shop.  It only took a couple of days to make start to finsih and turned out great. 

Encouraged by these two successes, I next tackled a border print (non Steiger).  This dress is a little more form fitting and I had to create my own pattern.  But, I love the way the Yeis look and it very similar to a Steiger fabric called Yeis.  This example however, is a multi colored print on natural colored cotton is nothing less than striking.  I've been saving this one for a long time and I took many deep breaths before cutting.  I really like it and will now risk using an actual Steiger fabric on another dresss.

The most recent dress is made from one of those beautiful dress panels.  The Steigers panels are two yards of fabric with the silk screened design printed on the width instead of the length of the fabric.  And, the Steigers were right.  It takes two yards to make a simple shift.  This casual dress is just perfect for the climate:  loose and roomy.  I have several of these panels in different colors, fabrics and designs.  This particular design was one of the most popular of the Steiger dress panels with prominent saguaro cactus, roadrunners and other desert plants.  I see a lot of this design.  They usually are less expensive to buy than overall designs because of limitations of a central pattern.  So, be on the look out for this kind of bargain.

So now, thanks to Joan, I have the beginnings of a whole new wardrobe for the summer.  I'll probably next tackle a jacket and skirt for business occasions.  I have a large piece of Papago, thanks to a generous gift from Robert Black, vintage clothier extraordinaire.  But, that's enough new clothes for me for a while.  I hope you enjoy them and some of the other great garments that have turned up.  I'll add a couple more examples from my collection soon.  I just have to photograph them.