May 15, 2017
The early 1900s witnessed many avant-garde innovations as people freed themselves from the constraints of the late Victorian society. Both fashion and the arts were tremendously affected by new interpretations of classical styles, with outright revolts against recent tradition. Isodora Duncan (1878-1927) was an influential figure in the 19010s and today is regarded as the founder of modern dance. She revolutionized dance with her free-form interpretive movements and scandalized audiences by wearing non-restrictive, flowing robes that she adapted from Classical Greek vase paintings.
Our Greek Island Dress pays homage to this unforgettable woman. The dress is a loose fitting sheath with back zipper and narrow shoulder straps. A jacket or tunic is made to be worn over the sheath dress. The jacket has a center back goddet that adds flair without adding fullness and a dramatic collar that extends over the sleeves like a filmy canopy. The tunic is a breeze to sew, with front and back sailor collar and floating sleeve panels that can hang or be attached along the top of the arm. This classic dress/tunic is on trend right now, with statement sleeves and the cold-shoulder look.
We are featuring #266 Greek Island Dress this month, and it is on sale for the entire month of May! This dress would make a fabulous summer gown to wear at a wedding or to the beach. Made of soft filmy fabrics like chiffons or gauze, it is a perfect and unique summer make. Do you have some beautiful sheer fabric in your stash and not sure what to do with it? This is the dress to try!
Also, to help you make this dress, I will be posting some tips on sewing with sheer and lace lacy fabrics later this month. So, keep an eye out for it!
Enjoy!
March 10, 2017 16 Comments on The History of Folkwear
The History of Folkwear
In the mid-1970s, three
The three founders were a perfect team to create a line of innovative patterns that was revolutionary for its time—this was the mid 1970s when women's wear in
During the recession of the mid-1980s, Folkwear's business health suffered along with so many other small businesses. The company was sold to The Taunton Press, publisher of Threads magazine, and by the early 1990s most of the original patterns were back in print and new patterns were under development.
In 1998,
So many different types of people use Folkwear patterns. There are historic re-enactors, Renaissance Faire participants, theater costume designers, and lovers of creative art-to-wear. Residents of historic neighborhoods and members of antique auto clubs use the patterns to dress to the appropriate historic period for their annual events. Folks who adopt children from other countries use the patterns to teach the little ones about their native cultures. Swing, tango, and ballroom dancers love to use the patterns for their passion. Living history museums and Universal Studios dress their staff in Folkwear patterns. The The male actors in the first television episode of The Lonesome Dove all wore a Folkwear pattern (#204
In 2002, Mathews purchased the Folkwear pattern division. Folkwear became, yet again, an independent, woman-owned firm, just like it was in its earliest days. Mathews ran Folkwear for 14 years, adding many new patterns to the collection. Folkwear was sold in late 2016 to Molly Hamilton, a young woman and fellow sewer, in Asheville who currently owns and runs the company. Through it all, the company has retained a loyal group of fans who keep the passion for vintage and ethnic garments alive! And, Gretchen Schields has continued to illustrate nearly all of the patterns since the inception of the company until 2017, contributing to the iconic images associated with Folkwear patterns.
-- written by Kate Mathews - fiber artist, sewer, weaver, and former owner of Folkwear