Fluid Fabrics: A Challenge for the Pros

Chiffon/Beaded Tulle DressDesigner: Ann Vidovic

Smokey Grey: DetailDesigner: Angela Wolf

Marcury Rising
Designer: Judy Gross

Photo: Judy Gross

Every year Threads sponsors a design challenge to the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. The 2008 winners were announced in the April/May 2009 issue (#142) with photographs and descriptions of the designs the judges deemed best. Here are photographs of some of the finalists. We asked the designers to demonstrate their mastery of fluid fabrics, such as charmeuse, chiffon, and silk knits.


Flowing Colors with a Signature Designer: Anca Balinisteanu		Oceans Green Designer: Robin Bolton


Black Trim and Animal Print: Detail		Black Trim and Animal Print Designer: Beki Biesterfelt


Spiral Pinwheel: Detail		Spiral Pinwheel Designer: Julianne Bramson


Spiral Dress—In Contrast Designer: Melanie Carrico		Erté Je T'aime Designer: Rae Cumbie


Mercury Rising Designer: Judy Gross


Shooting Star Trails Designer: Susan Landerking		Shooting Star Trails: Detail


Bias Swirl Designer: Denise Severson		Peace, Love, and Blessing Designer: Janie Stidham


Smokey Grey: Detail		Smokey Grey Designer: Angela Wolf


Chiffon/Beaded Tulle Dress Designer: Ann Vidovic

Runway photos: James Keller; other photos by the designers

judith neukam, senior technical editor
Posted on Mar 5th, 2009 in design, online extras, fabric, designers

Comments (9)

livestosew writes: love "Mercury Rising!"
Posted: 7:06 am on April 13th

lou19 writes: Well done Angela...........love "smokey blue"
Clever the way the way the woven strips are pulled to shape the bust.
Beautiful jacket which goes so well with the peplem of the top.
Gorgeous colours.
All dresses amazing ........but I'll just mention "Erte je T'aime", "Shooting star trail" and "bias swirl"

Posted: 5:00 pm on March 26th

Muria writes: Mercury Rising looks great from the front, but I'm not as excited about the gathers/ruching on the back. I would have said a clean back would accentuate the gorgeous front better.

Oceans Green appeals to me, too, but I suspect it's at least as much the choice of colors as the design, and spiral pinwheel looks like a great dress for actually wearing somewhere (as much as I like mercury rising, it's far too fancy for anywhere I go. I agree with soxfan that it should be on the red carpet).
Posted: 10:21 am on March 26th

Viennasews writes: Mercury Rising is gorgeous and reminded me of the other magnifiscent dress from the collection at westernCostume Company in the last page od Threads Magazine issue 142.
Love also the text under Up Close....could you please kindly tell me were is this text taken from? its so appropiated for exquisite and gorgeous Mercury Rising as well as the dress from the Western Costume Collection shown in this issue.

Congratulations to all the designers, each and everyone of the creations are special and must be aplauded for its creativity.

Posted: 5:35 pm on March 10th

CarolBee writes: Looking at all the beautiful designs is an inspiration, but Mercury Rising is stunning. It has a moonlight etheral look that is something else!
Posted: 8:59 am on March 10th

Cindy_in_Florida writes: These are absolutely beautiful. I would like to see a front photo of Janie Stidham's dress. Gosh it would be nice if the photos were higher resolution. It would be nice to be able to see realy clear details. Thanks for all the hard work that went into this.
Posted: 10:32 am on March 8th

soxfan999 writes: Mercury Rising is absolutely stunning, almost other wordly. This gown should be on the red carpet but it would surely outshine the wearer.
Posted: 9:15 pm on March 7th

barbbie writes: I agree with Mary, that dress is wonderful, the simple elegance in that fabric is a perfect match Barb
Posted: 12:35 pm on March 7th

MaryinColorado writes: Mercury Rising is the most elegant gown I have ever seen! It appears to be spun of liquid silver! I cannot imagine a more lovely perfect example of fluid fabric artistry! Mary
Posted: 10:37 pm on March 5th

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