A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the opening of an exhibition where some of my works were featured. The vernissage was very nice, I had a good time trying to escape to the upper part of the gallery where the heating was on. The trick was to greet friends and acquaintances as quickly as possible, though nicely, and then suggest we meet upstairs “where the rest of the exhibition is”.

I was very happy about how the different pieces were put together, thanks to the curator. It somehow all appeared to make sense, even when the styles and media were so different. I was particularly proud to have that beautiful spot on the right wall upstairs, with a very flattering light illuminating one of the pieces (see photo below).

All in all it was a good time, even the preparation, though there has been a glitch with the catalogues (sometimes I wonder whether printing facilities contemplate teaching people what too much magenta means). A lesson learned for me. The greatest part was seeing so many familiar faces at the opening. Thanks to all of the friends who came to show their support.

On another note, I worked up the courage to pick up my pastels and try out some new things. This, for example, is “Nature and man”, a mix of pastels and painted-on fabric, on my current theme “Parallel lines”.

I even got some watercolors yesterday though I haven’t been able to sit down with them yet. When I was little I used to play a lot with watercolors, but then growing up I somehow stopped using them. Oh well, it’s never too late.

Last but not least, I managed to draw a pattern for myself to make a tunica dress. The measuring, designing and drawing didn’t take too much time (I learned with this book), however I was very busy and couldn’t find the time to actually sew it all together. I eventually found the time a couple of days ago and I will be doing finishing touches today. I will incorporate some embroidery (crewel, that is) and then show it off.

Tags: drawings, exhibition, fabric, pastels, sewing

]]> http://www.elisabettalombardo.com/2009/12/29/988/feed/ 0 http://www.elisabettalombardo.com/2009/08/25/sewing-off-topic-finding-fabric-in-berlin/ http://www.elisabettalombardo.com/2009/08/25/sewing-off-topic-finding-fabric-in-berlin/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:09:42 +0000 Eli http://www.elisabettalombardo.com/?p=787 … I am not the best when it comes to working with measurements. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am not incredibly patient either. That’s why this post, or should I say, what lies beneath this post,]]>

I am not the best when it comes to working with measurements. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am not incredibly patient either. That’s why this post, or should I say, what lies beneath this post, comes as a total surprise.

When I was little, I spent a lot of time with gradma, a sewer, and until I was too old to be only wearing skirts, she basically made all the clothes that I wore. Mainly dresses and skirts. I had a passion for dresses and skirts. Ahh, luckily now I am old enough to actually wear dresses and skirts without being laughed at by the entire school. Kudos to aging.

So here I am, living in Berlin as a photographer, and with more time to dare and to try the things that I always wanted to try. This includes sewing. Yes because a few weeks ago I was thinking that it is such a pity, to let passions go by because one has to make space and time for education and earning money. Is there really any more excuse not to learn how to sew? Absolutely not.

I worked a plan. I got my hands on a sewing machine (let’s all welcome Swiss Bernina Bernette 56 Fun Style), on sewing tools (among which a rotary cutter and a mat), some basic sewing books and fabric, lots of fabric. The great thing is now I actually have a great excuse to spend money on that beautiful fabric I saw at the market but I had no idea what to do with in case I ever bought it!

Here is what I did and learned in the past week. If any of you just discovered a passion for sewing and live in Berlin and have more ideas on where to find fabric and other tools, please let me know.

I googled and searched on forums of fellow sewing lovers living in Berlin and I found out, much to my dismay, that Berlin does not seem to be the most furnished city when it comes to fabric.

So here is what I have seen so far.

Markets

I love markets, I think it’s the best way to buy anything. So I am now a proud habitué of the Türkischer Markt am Maybachufer – Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 to 18 U-Bahnhof Schönleinstraße. Here you will be able to find LOTS of fabric and the silk lovers will be happy. Prices are VERY reasonable and there are also plenty of booths with sewing supplies, notions, you name it. I simply love this market.

I also tried the Flohmarkt at Tiergarten (Saturdays) and I was not able to find any fabric nor sewing tools.

The next on the list is the one at Mauerpark (Sundays).

Shops and stores for fabric

Shops are also a good idea but I am less of an expert here. There’s of course Frau Tulpe, on the Veteranenstr. 19 (Mitte) with a very appealing broad selection of (expensive) fabric. The shop is small but well furnished and I personally always take a long time to come up with a decision since there is so much choice. You can also order online and they also give sewing classes!

I have also been to Knopfloch (Alexanderplatz), mainly to buy scissors, a rotary cutter and a mat, but they also have plenty of fabric (might not be everyone’s beloved style).
Also on Alexanderplatz (in Berlin Carré) there is the Zick Zack Nähwelt. The good thing about this shop is that you can find many tools, sewing machines supplies and notions (they also sell sewing machines and have fabric scraps at the entry).

Heard good things about Kumasch in Charlottenburg (Kantstr. 47). They mainly have fabric. Will go there one of these days. Same for Stoffhaus on Frankfurter Allee 50 (buggy website).

Online shops

There are also a lot of online resources, Germany based shops or shops that deliver to Germany. I have not tried them yet, but I have done some research.
Quiltzauberei has a very nice selection of fabric and almost all the Amy Butlers.
Puddlecrafts, based in the UK, has a very nice selection of fabrics as well.
DaWanda, a web site collecting different sellers, also from other countries. Looks rather interesting.

UPDATE: if you’re interested in fabric, renewFabrics is slowly but surely coming to life. It’s my new project which essentially consists in printing on second-hand fabric to limit waste.

It’s nice to take some time to think things through, look for new inspirational sources and come back with something fresh.
So I have been photographing a lot, I have been learning how to sew, I re-discovered my childhood passion for fabrics, and I have been doing some thinking about how I want this project to evolve.

I had a very interesting meeting not too long ago and I was encouraged to take my project up a level. This means extending my research to other countries on the European continent, to include the UK, Spain and Austria.
It also means that the project itself might take longer to complete, though that is not really a big problem as far as I’m concerned.

These days I am busy finding ways to get participants in these new countries as well as going around Berlin to find a potential exhibition space. Both tasks have proved to be challenging but for the gallery thing, I have to say it is harder than I originally thought.
I really would love to have a space where exchange and communication are also possible, like a café or a cinema where people not only look at the photographs, but also interact with each other and hopefully also with me. The problem of internships and of the precarious situation that follows is only possible to approach (and in the long term, to solve) if young people interact, discuss and come to a sort of realization that they have the power to say NO to unpaid or poorly paid work that is masked under the term “internship”.

The other issue related to the project is more of a conceptual nature. Until now I have been conceiving my work and my photographs to give them an artistic quality, with the aim of communicating a feeling or a series of frustrations. Questions have arised on whether it would be appropriate to think of it more as a documentary, a reportage. Some suggested I should try and do both.

In the meantime, next weekend I will be in Paris to officially start shooting for the project with my first participant.
Keep on coming back and I will keep you updated.