Dianne Totten, a weaver for over 40 years and teacher for 30, creates one-of-a-kind garments often using “crimp cloth,” a technique she developed. Her expertise in sewing complements her passion for weaving. She teaches at John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina and nationally and internationally for guilds and conferences, including Convergence. Her award-winning work has appeared in Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot, Handwoven, Weavers, Complex Weavers Journal, Catherine Ellis’ book, Woven Shibori, Revised and Updated, Convergence fashion shows, and Vavmagasinet. Vav chose her crimp jacket as “Best in Show” in its category at the Swedish National Convention Fashion Show.
Cone to Clothing – One Weaver’s Journey
Through a PowerPoint presentation of her work, Dianne will share her approach to designing one-of-a-kind garments and what she learned along the way. Follow steps taken to make her `visions’ materialize. Hear tips for garment construction using minimal cuts to the cloth. Additional tidbits and finishing ideas, including a demonstration for stitching that perfect hem, will be presented. It concludes with sewing tips from her current work with “crimp” cloth, as well as how she has been upcycling rather than recycling those abandoned garments in her closet.