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A little bit about Wendie

The composition of Wendie’s fiber art is understated and sophisticated, rich in color with embellishments as an accent; not the story.

Wendie’s hand dyed fabrics are her canvas for creative expression. She is inspired by abstract patterns that are representational of the natural world. She experiments with fabric through use of color, composition and embellishment. Dyeing natural fabrics such as wool, silk and cotton lets Wendie choose her color palette so the first step in the process of materials selection begins by experimenting with dye. She uses any number of painting and resistance techniques to create abstract shapes of color on the fabric. Once the fabric is dyed, she evaluates the pieces for composition and then moves forward. Wendie says she works backward since she doesn’t start with an outcome in mind; but evaluates the opportunities put forth by the dyeing process.

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The story of the vintage pants

Wendie loves wool, not doubt. At one time this fabric was to become Candy’s pants. Yes, the progeny of a piece of fiber art is always interesting and this one has a unique tale. It was the 1950s when women sewed many of the outfits they wore; tailored clothing, not just aprons, handbags or carryalls. But lovely beautiful tailored pieces with big shoulders, narrow waists, pleats and big swing skirts. The pattern was pinned and cutting completed before life intervened and it was put on hold.

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For sixty years. Boxes emptied, households sorted and the fabric came to Wendie who knew what to do with the vintage cloth. Over the course of ten to twelve weeks, Wendie dyed each of the pattern pieces a little differently creating a group of fabrics that complemented one another. She trimmed the pieces into strips and fitted them into an abstract composition. The finishing embellishment is hundreds of French knots.