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e PDS Designs f Unique Accessories Custom Designs Elegant Fibers
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Artist Statement All little girls love to play dress-up with Mommy’s clothes, shoes, and handbags. I think that’s what sparked my initial interest in learning to sew – I could add to my play wardrobe at a quick pace. Soon family and friends were receiving handbags as gifts for almost every occasion. I know those early attempts were far from professional pieces, but my loved ones were patient and supportive, and I was thrilled to be creating fashion accessories. When I grew bored with commercial patterns, I began sketching my own designs. Suddenly, my friends were really excited to receive their little gifts from me! I approached a local gallery owner several years ago to see if her customers might be excited as well…..and that’s how it began. My handcrafted original designs may be found on exhibit at highly competitive juried artist shows and are represented in galleries, museums, art centers, and boutiques nationwide that showcase wearable art. I believe when a woman adds an accessory to her outfit, it’s somewhat similar to the addition of an exotic flower to a garden. It should be noticed and admired, yet its goal is to visually enhance the image -- not to detract or overshadow from the overall appearance. Each fashion piece is created in my studio. I have no employees, assistants, or apprentices working with me. I have been sewing for over 20 years and, although I am primarily self-taught, I frequently enroll in advanced classes to learn new techniques. My first handbag design was inspired by the charm and femininity of the Victorian era, and its popularity has kept it a mainstay in my line. Beauty and function are equally important to each design. Each handbag design follows the same path to its creation. I sketch the design from my imagination, and then transfer the design to pattern paper. I create several versions of the handbag for my own use to test comfort and function. When I have captured all the necessary components of the handbag, including size, shape, and comfort, I create a small series. Long-time customers, both individuals and galleries, are the first to view a new design series. I am always searching for beautiful fibers for my work. My favorite places are the fabric houses in New York and San Francisco. The highest quality silks, brocades, satins, wools, linens and velvets can be found in New York’s fabric district….while San Francisco provides a strong market for Oriental designs. It’s a joy to go on these shopping journeys……what fun these two cities can be! I love the charm of vintage buttons and always wonder a bit about their past…….it’s like adding a bit of mystery to my work. I have a weakness for beautiful beads (doesn’t everyone love beading?), so fire-polished glass beads are hand-sewn onto many of my pieces. No matter how much I may love a piece of fabric for its color, design, or texture…….I limit the quantity of each fabric piece so that each handbag, scarf, and shawl will be one-of-a-kind or part of a small limited series. This adds to its sense of being special…..and will make the woman who wears it feel the same.
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Copyright © 2003 by Patti Duffy All rights reserved
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