Meet the Designer: Latifah Saafir!

Modern quilter Latfiah Saafir is teaching at Fancy Tiger! We are so excited to host her for her Glam Clam quilting class Sunday August 24th. Latfiah has an eye for color and design! Her mechanical engineer brain operates perfectly into the quilting world bringing us such stylish looking quilts. Let's meet Latfiah! 

1) How did you get started in the quilting industry? What is your background?
I am a Mechanical Engineer by training but, I’ve been sewing since I was a kid. I worked in technology for many years and when I got laid off decided to try my hand at making a living with the true love of my life - quilting.

I actually started quilting in 2009 when I saw a quilt that a friend of mine made. Something about that quilt made something click in me and I decided not only could I quilt but that I needed to. Later that same year I co-founded the Modern Quilt Guild and it’s first chapter in Los Angeles with only one quilt under my belt. I have a tendency to dive in head first with things. Quilting has been my life ever since.

2) What are you most excited about in quilting right now?
As the generation of modern quilters becomes more competent in their technique, I’m looking forward to new innovations in quilting. I’m almost sure we’ll start to see some of this soon and bits and pieces are starting to filter through. Also, I’m very interested to see how modern quilting will grow over time.

I’m also excited about younger and younger people being interested in quilting and I’m dreaming of ways to introduce more of them to it in a way that is palatable and exciting to them.

3) What do you look for when you're fabric shopping?
I’ve never thought about that because I guess I just know it when I see it! I guess I look for uniqueness, clean lines, and bold designs. Mostly I buy really great basics though. And I’m always on the search for the perfect solid color! There are never enough solids. I also love sophisticated whimsical novelty prints for all the baby quilts that I make.

4) What is your favorite mythological animal?
Ummm, does Tinker Bell count? Hehe. I know she’s not mythological or quite an animal but, I wasn’t much into cartoons as a kid and fell in love with Tink just a year or so ago. If I were a cartoon character that’s who I’d be. She captures the engineering and creative sides of me and she wears my favorite color!

5) If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I’m sure you have all guessed that my super power would be quilt related.  My super power would be having my quilt tops quilted and bound with a wave of a wand. The wand is key. ☺ I actually like to take ownership of the whole quilt and so I don’t often send my quilts off to a long armer BUT, the most exciting part of the process is piecing and seeing the pattern come to life. Then I’m sorta done and have to force myself finish the quilt. ☺

Thanks Latifah! We can't wait to quilt magic with you! 

Meet the Designer: Lisa Solomon!

We are thrilled to host Bay Area designer Lisa Solomon for two classes at Fancy Tiger Crafts! Lisa is the author of Knot Thread Stitch which brings us a creative approach to thread and embroidery projects. As a mixed media artist, she embellishes her work with embroidery to add texture and depth. The root of her art is driven by her keen interest in hybridization. Mixing materials that normally would be considered wrong question the line between art and craft. We couldn't be happier that she is pushing this line. Lisa will be here teaching 2 classes at Fancy Tiger. Join us for her classes on June 7th and learn how to make an Embroidered Necklace from 10:30am-1:30pm or jump into her second class where you learn to make an Embroidered Portrait from a Photo from 2:30pm- 5:30pm. In the meantime, lets meet Lisa!

1) Tell us about yourself -  how did you get started? What is your background?
I’ve been making things for as long as I can remember. Not too long ago my mom and dad gave me a bunch of my school “reports” from elementary school and almost all of them said something along the lines of “wonderful art”. I didn’t really think of myself as particularly artistic or creative growing up though. And I didn’t really call myself an artist until I went to graduate school and got my MFA. It was actually in grad school that I taught myself to embroider and fell in love with it. My grandmother had taught me to crochet and knit and embroidery just seemed like a logical step. I really adore how it functions like drawing and painting simultaneously. You can create very fine or thick lines with it and you can also fill in spaces with color.

I grew up in Los Angeles, went to high school in California, and came up to the Bay Area to go to college [UC Berkeley and Mills] and basically have never left.

2) What are you most excited about creating right now? What projects or mediums?
I’m currently working on an exhibition that will open in November at Walter Maciel Gallery in Los Angeles. It’s a continuation of my exploration of the number 1000 – or Sen in Japanese. My mother is Japanese and so I often find myself researching that aspect of my heritage. The number 1000 is prevalent in Japanese culture. It’s often used as a symbol of luck or good fortune, often with a component of communal good will – think 1000 buddhas, 1000 cherry blossom trees [given to Washington DC after WWI], 1000 cranes…

I actually did a show with the same theme at Fouladi Projects last November. I had 45+ women from around the world help me make 1000 doilies [a prevalent motif in my work], 10 each in 100 colors. I displayed them on the wall in a modified rainbow order… this Fall I’ll be reconfiguring the piece at Walter’s space. Working with collaborators from all over the world was so inspiring and amazing I’m actually trying to do it again ;) ! I’m trying to get people to draw me doilies and make me small swatches with French Knots. I put a call out on my blog – if any of your readers are interested I definitely still need help!

So this summer I’ll be in the process of making a series of drawings that go with the doily piece. I’m doing more 1000 buddhas and cranes, and also 1000 samurais [I discovered there’s a 1000 samurai parade that happens every year]. These are colored pencil, ink, acrylic on Duralar with embroidered elements.

3) Is creating a daily thing for you? How do you find time? Do you create in a studio or at your home? Where do you feel most inspired?
I think creating is a daily thing for me. But it’s not momentous creating every day. It can be very small – even just thinking about something. I tend to use photography to document things that visually interest me through out the day, so instagram is a big fav of mine. I find that helps to keep my creativity active on a daily basis. In terms of finding time… I’ve become very good at making in small spurts. I used to need long chunks of the day to BE CREATIVE. But these days – especially after the birth of my daughter – I have found the means to be more portable and work in short spurts. I almost always have a bit of crochet, or my sketchbook, or my phone to take a photo handy. I work a lot in front of the TV at night. I do still set aside whole days to spend in my studio, but it isn’t as crucial as it used to be.

4) What is your favorite mythological animal?
I’m interested in tengu – a Japanese mythological creature.

5) If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Oh jeez. How to choose???? Flying? Invisibility? The ability to wave my hand and have everything be clean??

Thanks Lisa, we can't wait to embroider with you!

Meet the Designer: Amy Singer!

Amy Singer is coming to Denver! Not only is Amy the editor of Knitty.com, but she is also the publisher and founder of the magazine. In 2002, she was daydreaming about an online magazine that would highlight all the knitting talent that had been popping up. Knitty.com is the perfect place! We are thrilled to host a class on May 10th where she will discuss the following: what makes a pattern stand out among the hundreds submitted to Knitty every year, what makes a good pattern, pattern-writing techniques that make a difference, what makes a pattern go viral, the five things you can do to ensure you have the best possible chance of being published, and the five things you can do that will blow it for you. This is one you won't want to miss! Call to reserve your spot today!
Let's meet Amy!

1) How did you get started in the knitting industry? What is your background?

I was a proofreader in advertising, losing my mind with the boredom of proofing financial documents. So I decided that I would get some experience on my resume as an editor by starting my own magazine in 2002. I didn't realize the person that would eventually hire me was ME -- in 2006, when I finally got to hang up my red pen!

2)What are you most excited about knitting or spinning right now?

We're all really excited about craft crossover...when crochet bleeds into knitting which melds with quilting and embroidery and all gets wrapped up in photography. It's not just about one thing any more...every craft enhances and inspires the others.

3) You run one of the most successful online knitting publications that has been around for over 10 years. What are some current trends in knitting? Both in terms of patterns but also yarn?

Watching people like Clara Parkes and Jill Draper create beautiful, functional yarn from the sheep up is really exciting. Their passion for the finished product and knowledge of every aspect of yarn production shows in the skein.

4) What is your favorite mythological animal?

I wish I had a Panserbjorn. Everyone needs an Armoured Bear.

5) If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I wish I had a Tardis (but without the responsibilities of being the Doctor). My friends live all over the world. I would love to just pop in for tea when I missed them. Or pick them all up and take them to tea with Jane Austen. Denny and Jillian would love that!

Thanks Amy! We're excited for your visit!

Meet the Designer: Cal Patch!

Cal Patch is coming to town! 

Cal is one of our favorite garment sewists and teachers. She is the author of Design-It-Yourself Clothes, and we are thrilled to be hosting her for a class here in just a few weeks!

Cal is devoted to the handmade movement, and has been since she was a young girl. With her extensive knowledge in teaching, designing and creating she has mastered all things textile. She will be in town for the Makerie and is making a very special trip to Fancy Tiger Crafts to teach her Folk Dress. Sign up for both her workshops at the Makerie and at Fancy Tiger Crafts to receive a combined discount of $50! Call us to reserve your spot. In the meantime, lets meet Cal.

1) How did you get started in the crafting industry? What is your background?
I actually came to the craft world by way of the fashion industry. I've been a clothing designer for nearly 25 years, and the first decade of my adult life was spent working in that world in NYC. But the higher I advanced in my career, the less I got to be creative and actually MAKE things, so I escaped and opened my own boutique, which is where I first started teaching crochet and sewing.

2) You have a wide range of projects from crocheting to sewing - do you have a  favorite type of project to design? Or, what are you most excited about making right now?
Crochet and sewing are like my two babies, and I couldn't possibly ever choose between them. My favorite thing is to combine them, like with my crochet-yoked smock dresses. At the moment I'm super excited about my new 4-week online workshop on pattern drafting and sewing your own wardrobe, which happens to be debuting this week on Creativebug! I love showing people that it's really very do-able to draft and sew with their own patterns.

3) What influences you creatively? What is your creative process for coming up with new ideas? What inspires you?
I'm very practical, so I tend to just be inspired by daily life. I don't get excited when I see fancy red-carpet gowns or elaborate couture ensembles; I'm more likely to be daydreaming up dresses with big pockets that i can use for gathering eggs from the coop, or picking peas in the garden. Usually I design things to fill a niche that I see, or a void in my own wardrobe. I also am very inspired by materials, and try to find ones made with organic fibers, locally sourced or made by independent artisans.

4) What is your favorite mythological animal? 
If I could invent my own *spirit animal*, it'd be a cross between a tortoise (I'm very s-l-o-w) and a kangaroo (I like the idea of a built-in pouch).

5) If you could have any super power, what would it be?
That's easy: to make time stand still, except for in my house, so I can catch up!

If you aren't able to make her class here at Fancy Tiger, check out her 4 week long workshop over at Creative bug on pattern drafting!

Thanks Cal, we can't wait to create with you!