By Diana Cavagnaro

Threads of many colors

The San Diego Creative Stitchery Guild presented a biennial fashion show and luncheon at the Wyndham San Diego Bayside on May 21. Bonnie Graham and Amy Todorovich were chairs for the event and the fashion show was juried, with only the best of the best selected to be in the show.   Patti Fuhrer was the emcee for the afternoon and started the fashion show. Fuhrer is a fashion and sewing instructor at San Diego Community College of Continuing Education and is well known for her textile surface design classes.

Stitchery can be sewing, knitting, or crocheting and this show had a little of everything. There was quilting, beading, yarns, embroidery, patchwork, and overlays of lace, ribbon and fabric to name a few. The garments were created with impeccable attention to detail. These creative designers use anything they can find, creating exceptional embellishments. The incredible clothing made for this show was a variety of short and long vests, dresses, pants and coats. Next, the talented designers add decorative features making each garment one of a kind.

During the fashion show, the San Diego Creative Stitchery Guild featured two artists. The first was Jeanne Trusso, who embellishes garments, repurposes sweaters, and is a talented beading artist. The second featured artist was Sydnie Inklebarger. Inklebarger has a degree in clothing and textiles, enjoys embellishing, and is exceptional at ribbon embroidery.

The judges for the show were Marie Studer, who is a fiber artist known for her jackets and coats made from recycled sweaters; Marty Ornish is a fiber artist who uses up-cycled materials found in thrift stores and old quilts; and Jan Trabin, who develops art from found objects.

The winners for garments were: first place, Night & Day by Patti Fuhrer; second place, Chinese Jacket by Barbara Pollock; and third place, Dressed up Denim by Vivianne Vancio.

The winners for accessories were: first place, Beady in Brown by Lori Phillips; second place, Blue Wave by Lori Phillips; and third place, Beaded Amulet Bag by Bonnie Graham.

The San Diego Creative Stitchery Guild is a teaching guild whose goal is to continue to keep the creative needle arts alive and well in San Diego County. They have 10 meetings a year and offer hands-on workshops, artist visits, and featured speakers. For more information, call Joanne Hill at 858-272-8182.

Upcoming Events

July 14 | 2016-FAB Authority Workshop — featuring Allison Andrews from 6 – 7 p.m. at FIDM San Diego campus located at 350 10th Ave. #300. For more information, visit fashionweeksd.com.

Aug. 13 | Haute with Heart Fashion Show & Luncheon — produced by Leonard Simpson from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Downtown at 1 Park Blvd. This event benefits St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center. For more information, call Neil Fullerton at 619-442-5129.

Aug. 22 | Celebrating Couture 2016 — This event is presented by Neiman Marcus and the Globe Guilders and will be at Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information, visit globeguilders.org.

—Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner based in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher and blogger at DianaCavagnaro.com.