Dayna made one!

Artist Dayna Wenzel made her very own LifeVest at my class yesterday!!!
She's going to wear it to her opening!!
Class is $60 for 4 hours. Thankyou.

More LifeWear!!

Hi! Pictured here is a LifeJacket I made using chiffonsilk scarves that I hand dyed. There's a strip from a vintage curtain, a bit of store-bought lace. The binding is vintage silk taffeta ($250)

 

 

 This LifeVest was made by me with all cotton fabric. he front sports patch pockets.($200)

 

 

 I made this LifeVest using a vintage curtain and a silk chiffon scarf that I hand-dyed ($200)

 

Remember that if you'd like to make your own LifeWear let me know!

I will teach you how in a 5 hour class for $60/person.  All you need is fabric and a sewing machine.

You could also have me make a piece of LifeWear specifically for you!

If you supply me with fabric the price is discounted.

karen@karenloprete.com

www.karenloprete.com

 THANKYOU!

 

 

 

 

Wearable Art! MOre LifeVests

 Hello! Pictured above is a Vest that I made for Nancy in Washington State. I used hand-dyed (by me) silk chiffon scarves. The white square that's not so clear is fabulous vintage lace! The bright edging that you see is silk taffeta.  Thankyou, Nancy!

This LifeVest has sleeves added on and is lined-yes, you can wear it either way round! I made the lining using vintage curtains. I sued the same meshy fabric for the outer shell and mixed in some silks and cottons. Yes, the sides are vented.

More LIfe Vests and Jackets

 

 Hello!So, you get the idea now! I've been making garments and having a grand time. The pattern is of my design. I will be glad to teach a class or make a vest or jacket using your materials.
Pictured above is Diane Wright on the left wearing the insulated coat I made using her own Bark Cloth.   Yes, that's me on the right wearing my own coat of Bark Cloth.

This is Christina Blais in her studio at The Nest Arts Factory. She is modeling my latest buttoned jacket which is all pieced cotton.Yummy I like it myself!

So, I'll leave you for a while now.

Please call or write with any questions you may have!!!!!Or, to say hi!

Thanks for listening, Karen Loprete

 

Life Vests 4!

 

Hello! Thankyou for your interest! 
Here's a LifeVest I made using all sorts of vintage and some new fabrics. Yes,there's silk that I hand-dyed along with curtain fabric from the 50s (top of sleeve)
This vest is also lined

 This one was made by using my hand-dyed chiffon silk scarves and a treasure of a scarf that I found in my Mom's dresser draw!  The vest edges are binded with pink silk taffetta

This right here is the first LifeVest I made for myself.  It's a combination of favorite silk scarves Ive been collecting in my studio for some time. On the back is some commercially bought fabric. I also bound the edges of this vest with pink taffeta silk.

Any questions? write to me here or at karen@karenloprete.com
Thankyou! I'll be baaaack!

Life Vests 3 !

Hi! This is a photo of Phyllis Small Fiber Artist wearing her Life Vest that she masterly made at my class...well actually, my class is 5 hours, which has proven to give us enough time to make the lining (so the student knows now how to construct the entire vest) also time to get started on the top. If a student wants to come back for a second class to finish, great!...if not I will give some instruction via email as to how to finish up your unique and versatile fashion art piece! If you're interested in learning how to make a Life Vest please let me know at karen@karenloprete.com

This is Bev Hughes who also took my class, wearing her creation. Bev and Phyllis used all commercial cottons.
Thankyou for sending photos,ladies!!! Have a great weekend!

Life Vests 2

 Hello! Here is a vest I made for fabric designer Carol Eaton. I used Carol's hand-dyed silk organza.

 Yes, I will make you a vest according to your measurements! No I do not use a serger . All seams are French (folded in)

Life Vests

Hi! I made this vest for jewelry designer Kristen Merrill at the Nest Arts Factory in Bridgeport.

The vest is made from chiffon scarves that I dyed with a paint brush,also commercial fabrics.

Kristen said she feels like an angel wearing it!

Vintage at City Lights Gallery

So, here I am at the opening of VINTAGE at CITY LIGHTS GALLERY in Bridgeport last night.
Behind me are three of my latest pieces and two "oldies"As usual I use a mix of vintage and new fabrics to create my work. Suzanne Kachmar (owner) says I am the Peter Max of fiber art. I see her point.
Anyway, I am wearing one of my new line of "Life Vests" It is made from a vintage silk scarf and other silky fabrics
To the left of me is a rack with some on view and for SALE!
I plan on talking more about these...thanks for indulging me

Did I Mention?

One of my very first jumps into quilt as art "MY SECRET GARDEN"  has been purchased by Suzanne Kachmar who is proprietor* of "CITY LIGHTS GALLERY in Bridgeport CT 

*(amongst other wonderful things!)

 

THANKYOU!!!!!!!!!

Good to GET OUT!!!!

AHHHHH! SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OPen House at the Nest

 

The artists at the Nest Arts Factory got to reconnect with each other due to low attendance. Here's the fabulous painter and nature girl Janice Sweetwater and me. My piece Outer Space;Just Like I Pictured IT" is behind us along with a poem about it---that was the theme of the show--not space,but how poetry and visual art blend so well....

More City Lights

These two pieces will also be on display(and for sale) at City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Ct, Bridgeport April 9 - May 14th

 Walter With Two Vases- I just love to draw my cat Walter. Here I added 2 imaginary vases.

 

 "WALLS" This is about trying to make the hurdles in life a bit more enjoyable

 

 

City Lights Gallery

 

                  Happy Sunflower                                                                                     Bird's Eye View

Here's a couple of pieces that will be on display as part of the "FOREVER YOUNG" exhibit at
CITY LIGHTS GALLERY 37 MARKLE COURT< BRIDGEPORT,CT !!!!!!!!!!!!!
OPENING RECEPTION Thursday APRIL 9th!! 5.30-8.30 Hope to See YOU there!!!
SHOW REMAINS OPEN APRIL 9 THRU MAY 14th
Gallery Owner, Suzanne Kachmar chose SEVEN of my ARTWORKS toDisplay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tie Dyed Tees-Last Post for now

Here are some more tees I created with dyenaflow.

Please know that you contact me with any questions about my process or to purchase.

Thankyou!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more NEWS!!!

Tie Dyed Tees What Ive been up to

No Boundaries Medium  Dyed with Chartruese ,Fuschia and Red

Yes! I am looking forward to warmer weather!  This Tank top was relatively easy to make.

I just rolled it, banded it and applied dye. I use a brush.

I just LOVE how the tees BLOOM into life!

Hanes for Her Tee Medium,Dyed withPinks and Orange

Here's another tee I made with Spring in mind

Thankyou!

Tie Dyed Tees Results continued!

Tie Dyed Hanes tee made with Black and Grey DyeNaFlow

I was really worried about this one. When it was wet there was no visible variations in the gray. Wow! I'm really pleased. This baby is also sold.

Please stay tuned to see more results!!!

Yes! You may order one for yourself, contact me here or at karen@karenloprete.com

Thankyou!

 

Tie Dyed Tees Unvelied

 

Wow! I'm really happy with how this turned out!
I used Periwinkle, Blue and Yellow DyeNaFlow
The tee is an XL Fruit of the Loom and is sold.





Remember how we started?




I still think this version belongs in the garden.
STAY TUNED TO SEE MORE!!!!!!

Tie Dyed this Winter contd..

This is my favorite part of tie-dying! Revealing what I might have created by unwrapping the rubber bands. Almost looks like the first bloom of Spring! Can't wait to get all the bands off!!

I am still not sure about the shades of grey.

Now this is exciting! I unraveled one of the long sleeves to find this fun band.

I am so glad I purchased Fushia dye to go with my Orange and Red!

 

I CAN NOT wait til I unwrap all these babies!

I may not post tomorrow because Im going to Flushing to visit my Mom.

Friday definitely!!

Thankyou!