February, 1995
In Artisans' Hands Ribbons Rich and Rare
Contributing Editor Zoe Clark Karro
Contributing Writer Mary Forsell
A Legacy of Designs
"In the 1920's every room of the house rustled with shimmering silks and taffeta ribbons - they adorned lampshades, became curtain tiebacks, decorated crazy quilts. Ribbonry was the darling of competent needlewomen everywhere, and publishers produced ribbon books galore.
Fortunately, their legacy lives on, providing a guidepost for a whole new generation of artisans. Liz Dircksen is one. Her California company, Angelsea, not only offers a vast selection of vintage ribbons but creates many that look old-fashioned but are actually new - jacquards embroidered with grapevines and silks seemingly plucked from a fairy-tale gown. Indeed, the idea for the gossamer jewel box did come from a fairy tale. "I set out to make a magic box based on a painting in one of my children's books," says Liz. "I hand-dyed a piece of silk sea green for the skirt and made the mauve petals of the water lily from some silk charmeuse. The lid of the box is woven grosgrain."
In Artisans' Hands Ribbons Rich and Rare
Contributing Editor Zoe Clark Karro
Contributing Writer Mary Forsell
A Legacy of Designs
"In the 1920's every room of the house rustled with shimmering silks and taffeta ribbons - they adorned lampshades, became curtain tiebacks, decorated crazy quilts. Ribbonry was the darling of competent needlewomen everywhere, and publishers produced ribbon books galore.
Fortunately, their legacy lives on, providing a guidepost for a whole new generation of artisans. Liz Dircksen is one. Her California company, Angelsea, not only offers a vast selection of vintage ribbons but creates many that look old-fashioned but are actually new - jacquards embroidered with grapevines and silks seemingly plucked from a fairy-tale gown. Indeed, the idea for the gossamer jewel box did come from a fairy tale. "I set out to make a magic box based on a painting in one of my children's books," says Liz. "I hand-dyed a piece of silk sea green for the skirt and made the mauve petals of the water lily from some silk charmeuse. The lid of the box is woven grosgrain."